The City at the End of the Mississippi River
New Orleans is widely known as the city at the end of the Mississippi River. The city is both situated in and surrounded by one of the most iconic waterways in the United States. It has been an important port of entry ever since before the days of the Louisiana Purchase, and has been of immense cultural and historical significance to the country.
History of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in the US at 2,350 miles. Formed from the Missouri and Ohio Rivers, as well as several tributaries, it carries over 500 million metric tons of sediment annually—the most of any North American river. The origins of the Mississippi River date back to the Pleistocene Epoch, with the first European explorers first setting sights on it in the 16th century.
The river is an integral part of the identity of the Midwestern and Southern United States, with the lower Mississippi—the portion beginning at the Head of Passes near Venice, Louisiana and ending at the Gulf of Mexico—serving as the commercial, industrial, and cultural heart of the region.
Strategic Location
The strategic placement of New Orleans has been essential to its success in becoming a major trading center. Geographically, it’s near the center of the US’s waterway, with close proximity to important ports along the Gulf Coast and with the Great Lakes. As the last major port of call before entering the shipping lanes of the Gulf of Mexico, it acts as a sort of juncture between the economies of the Midwestern states, the South, and the larger Caribbean hubs.
In recent decades, the Mississippi River has seen a resurgence in activity as it has become increasingly tamed by (and tolerant to) commercial shipping.
Environmental Factors
The Mississippi is an ecological laboratory, in that its length spans a variety of climates and topographies—from agricultural lands near the headwaters to urban centers along the River Delta. As a result, the river is extremely diverse, boasting a wide range of species and habitats.
While such diversity and richness is beneficial, it can also pose trouble. Increasing use of the river for transport, both commercial and recreational, has placed pressure on the surrounding habitats, causing pollution and disturbing the ecology of the area. In addition, the long, slow-moving course of the river has resulted in entire floodplains being inundated in the wake of heavy rains, necessitating the implementation of public works projects and costly damage control mechanisms.
Economy
The stream of vessels along the full length of the Mississippi River facilitates the transportation of coal, corn, petrochemicals and other commodities north, west, and south. Likewise, the ports and terminals that line the river provide a primary source for the import and export of millions of tons of cargo annually. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway has dramatically increased the number of vessels steaming to and from ports, giving more shippers the opportunity to take advantage of lower Mississippi port fees compared to other Gulf ports.
Cruise ships travelling up the Mississippi River have also become increasingly popular, propelling the rise of the domestic riverboat industry. As a consequence, the service industry near New Orleans is reaping the benefits; the number of new jobs related to hospitality, travel, leisure, and tourism have increased greatly in recent years.
Cultural Significance
The Mississippi River has historically been a source of inspiration for writers, musicians, and folktales. An entire subgenre of the blues was born on the Delta, its angst and sorrow forever tied to the histories of the region. Author Mark Twain’s tales of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer are likewise set against the backdrop of the Mississippi, as well as many of William Faulkner’s works.
The power of the river—both in literature and music—had continued to this day. As a result, it continues to be used a symbol of hopes and dreams, and stands as a prime example of how our relationship with nature continues to shape our culture.
Erosion and Siltation
The Mississippi River is subject to a phenomena called siltation which occurs when large amounts of sediment are brought downriver to the Gulf of Mexico. This siltation negatively impacts the navigation depth of the channel, leading to higher operating costs for the vessels using it. It also affects the health of the environment, as sedimentation can threatens the habitats of the species that live their. To minimise damage, the US Army Corps of Engineers will periodically dredge parts of the river to improve navigation.
What’s more, the banks of the Mississippi River are prone to eroding due to the current and tides. This process exacerbates the water burden of the river, and narrows the riverbed at certain areas. To minimise the effects of erosion, man-made levees have been built along its banks to keep the water contained.
Bridge Constructions
The man-made engineering of the Mississippi River has increased its navigability and connected distant communities. Bridges have been built along the length of the river in order to make transportation feasible; the Arkansas Highway Department’s bridge at Memphis is the longest bridge over the Mississippi. In addition, the bridge at Baton Rouge carries the highest traffic of any bridge—used by both freight and passenger traffic.
Other bridges have also been built to carry cars and trains, as well as an I-10 bridge in New Orleans—the longest cable stay bridge in the US, which is a testament to the technological advancements present on the river.
Water Quality
Despite a host of different strategies, water quality in the Mississippi River remains a major concern. To maintain a degree of sustainability, it has become necessary to reduce the amount of pollutants being released into the river. This is a common issue along the entire length of the river, as it has been subjected to agricultural, urban and industrial effluents over the years. As such, much more needs to be done to ensure that the river is safe for both animals, who use it as a source of food and sustenance, and humans who use the it for their businesses and leisure activities.
Wildlife
The Mississippi River is home to many species of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, such as catfish, bass, sturgeon, deer, wild birds and many more. With ever-increasing development and population, however, the habitats of these species are being threatened and it is necessary to protect and preserve them. To that end, several national parks and state/national wildlife refuges have been established, as well as regulations for sport fishing.
Navigation along the Mississippi River has been made possible through advances in technology, including the use of marine radars, buoys, markers, and satellite navigation technologies. This has allowed vessels to traverse the river more safely and at higher speeds.
The US Army Corps of Engineers is also responsible for keeping the channel clear of debris and vessels, and for the maintenance of locks and dams. This allows for efficient transportation from ore of the headwaters in Minnesota all the way to the heart of New Orleans, providing support for the commercial fleets, tourist vessels, and larger corporate shipping operations.
Cultural Icons of New Orleans
It’s been said that the two most important figures of New Orleans are the Mississippi River, and the city itself. New Orleans is one of the most vibrant cultural hubs in the United States, one that lives and breathes through its history, sounds, and kinetics. From legendary music clubs to cultural attractions that attract attention from all over the world, the Mississippi River is at the heart of the city’s identity.
As a result, the city has grown and evolved to the point where it’s now a major tourist hotspot and economic powerhouse. Through its unique combination of charm, rhythm and culture, New Orleans has set itself apart from other US cities and become an iconic destination for people worldwide.
