The mighty Mississippi River is one of the largest rivers in the world. Spanning 2,350 miles, the Mississippi River cuts through the heart of the U.S.A., beginning at the source in Minnesota and terminating at the Gulf of Mexico. Its watershed encompasses 1.2 million square miles, in which dozens of tributaries feed into the river, breaking up the monotony of the big flow.
Two of the largest and most noteworthy tributaries of the Mississippi River are the Ohio River and the Missouri River. The Ohio River, stretching 981 miles, is the northernmost tributary of the Mississippi River, merging with it in the state of Kentucky. Starting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and ending in Cairo, Illinois where it merges with the Mississippi River, this massive drainage basin supplies around 200,000 cubic feet of water a second to the Mississippi River, accounting for roughly a third of the Mississippi’s total contribution from tributaries!
The Missouri River, on the other hand, runs an impressive 2,341 miles, and is the longest tributary of the Mississippi River. Originating at the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers, 6 miles southwest of Three Forks, Montana, it then proceeds to cut through South Dakota and Nebraska before finally meeting the Mississippi River south of St. Louis, Missouri. At this point, the length of the Mississippi river is almost doubled! While it is admittedly much shorter than the Mississippi River, the Missouri’s depth and width boast significant power and speed, giving it the rightful title of being the largest North American river in terms of water volume.
It is without a doubt that without the contributions of both the Ohio and Missouri Rivers, the Mississippi River would not be quite the same. In addition to supplying millions of gallons of water to the Mississippi River every minute, these tributaries provide additional sustenance for a vast wealth of aquatic wildlife that can be found living in the river’s depths. Hundreds of species of fish call the Mississippi River home, coexisting with the waters of both the Ohio and Missouri Rivers.
In spite of their importance for supplying the Mississippi River with its source of life, the Ohio and Missouri Rivers unfortunately have encountered numerous pollutants throughout the past few decades due to human influence and industrial waste. This has resulted in hundreds of thousands of acres of aquatic wildlife being destroyed, leading to drastic decreases in population. However, the introduction of modern environmental protection acts and support from organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have brought significant improvements to the quality of habitats in the Mississippi River, Ohio River and Missouri River.
Economic Contributions of the Tributaries
In addition to providing sustenance to aquatic wildlife, the tributaries of the Mississippi River provide immense economic benefit for locals. Both the Ohio River and the Missouri River are major shipping conduits, enabling businesses to transport goods from one port to another. The Ohio River alone contains 9 locks and dams, servicing the needs of commercial boaters. In fact, it handles traffic from 41 of the 48 continental states, making it an invaluable asset for business and shipping companies. Consequently, its economic value is supplemented by the thousands of jobs it helps create for individuals living in adjacent states.
The Mississippi River, including its tributaries, is a major source of power and electricity. 19 hydroelectric dams are located on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, providing more than 3,600 megawatts to locals, representing around 5% of the electrical power produced throughout the United States annually. Of these 19 dams, 6 are located on the Missouri River and 4 are on the Ohio River! As such, the power generated by these dams (and hence its tributaries) make a significant contribution to the electricity demand in numerous states.
Public Health Benefits of the Tributaries
Having clean and fresh water is essential for public health and the tributaries of the Mississippi River play a central role in providing it. Both the Ohio and Missouri Rivers are sources of public drinking water for the dozens of cities and townships located close to or along their banks. Hundreds of millions of people rely on the water provided by them for everything from drinking and cooking to bathing. The importance of the water provided by these tributaries for public health and hygiene can not be understated.
Levels of waste, debris and contamination have gradually been reduced over the centuries, but thanks to the introduction of comprehensive regulations, public awareness campaigns and the clean-up of rivers by local governments, the quality of water provided by the Mississippi and its tributaries has improved significantly. This means that those who rely on it for clean drinking water and other services are now able to do so, safe in the knowledge that their water is free from harmful toxins and pollutants, greatly reducing the risk of disease and illness.
Cultural Significance of the Tributaries
The tributaries of the Mississippi River have been home to a plethora of indigenous cultures, tribes and civilisations throughout history, playing a huge role in their beliefs, customs, and cultural heritage. The Ohio River in particular has provided sustenance and transport to multiple cultures, from the Native American tribes of the Ohio valley to the early European settlers. Consequently, many of the tribes and cities found along the banks of the Ohio River still retain some of their precolonial customs and traditions.
The Missouri River, having served as the defining waterway of the west, has likewise had a monumental impact on the local tribespeople, their cultures and beliefs. The presence of the Missouri River helped spur the exploration of the west, inspiring numerous tribes to migrate westwards in search of adventure and better opportunities. As such, tribes such as the Dakota, Omaha and Ponca have a deep spiritual and cultural connection to the Missouri River and frequently visit its sacred sites for spiritual activities, festivals and ceremonies.
Pollution Practices Impacting the Tributaries
Unfortunately, the centuries-old spiritual connection that locals have with the Mississippi and its tributaries is currently under threat due to the rising levels of pollution and contamination. Industrial waste and agricultural runoff have littered the rivers with plastic, toxic metals and non-biodegradable materials, creating a major environmental hazard that jeopardizes the health and wellbeing of locals and wildlife. Despite attempts by local and federal governments to enforce stricter regulations and reduce the amount of waste and contamination entering the rivers, these efforts are often undermined due to poor implementation.
High levels of pollution hinder the ability of locals to access clean drinking water, fish and other amenities. Unfortunately, there appears to be no end in sight to the current pollution practices, leaving it up to organizations such as the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) and local governments to lead the charge in cleaning up the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
Environmental Campaigns Working to Protect the Tributaries
Fortunately, there are numerous campaigns and organizations working diligently to protect the health and wellbeing of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The non-profit organization “American Rivers” dedicates its efforts to protecting these rivers from industrial and agricultural pollution, helping to clean up their waters and restore aquatic habitats. “River Network” is another non-profit organization, striving to improve and protect these rivers for generations to come. In addition to these organizations, the FWS and NOAA have been instrumental in restoring the river ecology of both the Ohio and Missouri Rivers.
Federal programs such as the Clean Water Act and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System also protect stretches of these tributaries, helping to preserve them in their natural state. By working together with local governments, businesses and organizations, these campaigns seek to safeguard our rivers and provide locals with dependable access to clean drinking water and the ability to fish in safety.
Conclusion
The Ohio and Missouri Rivers are two of the most important tributaries of the Mississippi River, providing millions of gallons of water to the Mississippi River every minute. In addition to supplying sustenance for aquatic wildlife and creating economic benefits, these tributaries are invaluable sources of clean drinking water for locals, as well as cultural and spiritual havens for Native American tribes.
Unfortunately, decades of mismanagement and abuse by humans have caused the waters of these tributaries to become polluted, increasing the risk of disease, illness and environmental hazard. In order to protect and preserve these rivers, federal and local governments, non-profit organizations, and businesses all have a duty to come together, implement stricter regulations and reduce the amount of waste and contamination entering the rivers.
