Causes of the Mississippi River Changing Course
The effects of the Mississippi River’s changing course have been profound, affecting the ecology, geography, and economy of its surrounding area. To understand the causes behind its changes, it’s important to first understand that the river is prone to meandering, or winding back and forth, as it moves its sediment along the bottom of the river. Over time, the direction of the river can change. This can happen naturally, due to such factors as flooding, shifting sands, or tectonic activity. It can also be caused by human activities such as dredging or damming of the river.
Impact of Mississippi River Changes
The effect of the Mississippi River changing course has been widespread, in both a human and environmental context. It has changed the map, deleting swamplands, altering river life, and even caused floods that have destroyed entire cities. According to the Environmental Law Institute, such floods lead to displacement of communities, displacement of the river’s wildlife, and erosion of the surrounding land. Moreover, shifting of the river’s course has led to changes in the region’s agriculture, economy, and even the water source used by locals.
Effects on Local Communities
People living in the affected areas have been greatly affected as well. Long-time residents of these areas have seen lands that have been transformed from thriving wetland environments, wildlife migration trails, and local floodplains back into dry land, toxic landfills, and housing developments. These communities have felt the immediate impact of the loss of their traditional homes and ecosystems and their subsequent struggle to rebuild.
Additionally, when the river changes course, the water levels can rise or fall suddenly without warning. Communities are often unaware of the true extent of the changes until they experience a flood or drought in the area. Even if they are aware, they may lack the resources to find an alternative water source. As such, their food supply can suffer and their access to medical care can be diminished.
Role of Climate Change in The River’s Course Change
The role of climate change in the changing course of the Mississippi River is another factor to consider. Increasing temperatures can lead to more frequent and prolonged droughts, both of which can cause rivers to become narrower and shallower, making them more prone to changing direction. As the amount of nutrients in the river decrease due to decreased water flow, this further contributes to the weakening of the river’s banks.
At the same time, climate change can also increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainstorms. These intense precipitation events can cause flooding, which can widen and deepen the river, ultimately changing its course. Although climate change has played a role in the changing course of the Mississippi, it is not likely to solely be responsible.
Mitigating the Effects of Mississippi River Changing Course
In order to mitigate the effects of the river’s changing course, efforts must be taken to protect the environment and the livelihood of local communities. Governmental interventions are necessary to protect the long-term health of the Mississippi’s ecosystems, including creating robust wetland restoration projects. These projects should include such safeguards as constructing levees and raising existing embankments to help stem the flooding that can occur when rivers change course.
In addition, locals living in the affected areas should be given financial and technical assistance to relocate or otherwise adjust to the changes that the Mississippi’s shifting course may cause. Finally, stakeholders should work together to reduce the human activities that can contribute to the changing course, such as over-fishing, navigation problems, and improper maintenance of infrastructure projects.
Factors Accelerating The River’s Changes
Human interference in the Mississippi is not limited to activities that directly change the course of the river. The construction of dams and levees has also had an adverse impact, by blocking off offshoot channels that would otherwise naturally redirect the river’s flow. These dams can starve the wetlands of water, which can lead to excessive erosion and further perpetuating the changing course of the Mississippi River. As the number of such dams increases, the impact on the course of the river can be expected to grow as well.
Furthermore, increasing levels of sediment and pollution in the river can also contribute to the course of the Mississippi changing. Sediment from agricultural and urban runoff can physically move the river by piling up on its banks and creating significant obstructions. Pollution from these sources also often leads to low oxygen levels in the water, which can further weaken the river’s banks and make it more susceptible to eroding away.
River Flow Interruption
If the river’s flow is interrupted, the effects on its course can be especially pronounced. For example, if the flow is blocked by a dam or other construction project, the water will build up behind it and form a new channel. This is commonly known as avulsion, and it can lead to dramatic changes in the path of the Mississippi, as well as a displacement of its aquatic life.
In order to avoid disastrous impacts, intentional interruption of the river flow should be managed appropriately. Regulators should ensure that such projects are built with provisions to allow water to safely flow through and around them, minimizing the potential for avulsion and other changes to the river’s course.
The Bigger Picture
The changing course of the Mississippi River has always been a part of its history, but it is only in recent years that its effects on the environment and economy of the region have come to light. It is clear from the data and observations that a combination of natural and human-caused factors have contributed to the changing course of the Mississippi River, and understanding them is key to mitigating the negative impacts.
Ultimately, the changing course of the Mississippi is a reminder of the need to be proactive in protecting our environment and watersheds. Only by staying informed and taking action can we ensure that our rivers are allowed to flow freely, while protecting the communities that rely on them.
Effects On River Ecosystems
The Mississippi River’s changing course has disrupted the local ecology and ecosystem as a whole. When its course changes, the river can become narrower and faster, leading to increased erosion that can reduce water quality, affect dam operations, and destroy river life habitats.
As the Mississippi floods, it takes sediment with it and deposits it along its new course, creating islands, sandbars, and other features not previously present. This has an immediate effect on the existing flora and fauna, as many species rely on the existing ecosystem for their survival. Additionally, the new features created by the shifting of the river can serve as a nesting ground for invasive species, further disrupting the existing ecosystem for the worse.
Appropriate Restoration Strategies
In many cases, the shifting of the Mississippi River has destroyed important habitats that served as both a source of fish and other wildlife, as well as a means of controlling the river’s flow. In order to restore these habitats so they can continue to thrive, appropriate restoration strategies must be utilized. Depending on the situation, this may include re-establishing wetlands, altering shoreline configurations, or adding new features such as bridge abutments or riprap.
In addition to using physical strategies for restoration, there must also be an emphasis placed on monitoring and education. Local communities should be informed of the impact of the changing course of the Mississippi and steps that they can take to help protect and restore the local ecology. Proper education is essential in ensuring that the environment is given the protection and care that it requires.
The Mississippi River Commission’s Role
The Mississippi River Commission (MRC) is a federal agency responsible for performing activities to support and ensure the safe management of the river’s watershed. The MRC monitors the changing course of the Mississippi, implements preventative measures to help curb erosion, and engages in both public and private partnerships to restore the watershed.
The MRC also works with local entities and communities to ensure that the water quality of the river is maintained, and that appropriate wetlands restoration activities are taking place. Ultimately, the MRC seeks to ensure that the Mississippi is managed in an effective and sustainable way, providing protection and preserving the ecological resources of the watershed for future generations.
