What is at the Bottom of the Mississippi River?
The Mississippi River has captivated the imagination of adventurers since it was discovered by Hernando de Soto in 1541. Running across North America, the river is on the North American continent’s fourth largest by length and second largest by watershed area. While it’s rich with history and culture, the depths of the river are home to a world largely unexplored. Lurking in its depths, there’s a mystery waiting to be discovered. Just what is at the bottom of the Mississippi?
The dynamics of the Mississippi River can change drastically from season to season. It’s a dynamic system that can move vast amounts of sediment, making it difficult to identify what’s at the bottom of the abyss. There is evidence within the river’s sediment that suggests it’s been home to a variety of species of fish, amphibians, and aquatic animals. But, because of the high speed currents, many of these creatures have likely been washed away.
Beneath the turbulent surface lie the secrets of the Mississippi’s past. The sediment contains the remnants of civil war wrecks and abandoned shipwrecks, interspersed with remnants of watercraft and military devices created over the years. In places, divers have also been able to find petrified wood, fossils, and ancient artifacts.
What lies beneath the surface of the Mississippi is also affected by floods and human activity. Over 200 hundred years of erosion has caused the river to become deep and wide. This means that the things at the bottom of the river are continually being shifted by these powerful forces. Pools of debris, cut off from the moving currents, sit at the bottom, waiting to be discovered.
The lower Mississippi is full of life. Corals, fish and other aquatic organisms thrive within the numerous coves and inlets. Slower currents allow for sediment deposition and provides an environment for these creatures to thrive. This diverse community of organisms has a remarkable adaptation for living in the deep, dark depths of the river.
The greatest mysteries lie within the species of fish and other organisms that have adapted to life in the deep pools of the Mississippi’s depths. Little is known of them, other than their presence in the river. The relatively cold temperature and low oxygen levels have allowed new species to evolve. These have adapted to the changing environment, allowing them to thrive in conditions that would be hostile to other species.
What lurks in the Shallows
The shallows are also an important part of the Mississippi. It hosts a wide variety of species that are adapted to life within the calmer regions of the river. These organisms inhabit a unique habitat and act as an integral part of the Mississippi’s ecosystem. Species that dominates the shallows are the riverine plant communities and the fishes, insects and reptiles that rely on them.
The shallow waters of the Mississippi are always a bustling place. The activity of the numerous small creatures forms a unique food web and includes numerous species of algae and plankton. These tiny organisms provide a valuable food source for the rest of the aquatic life. The shallows also host a variety of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals such as muskrats and beavers.
The shallows are also important to humans. Shallow waters have the potential to provide fish and other organisms to humans. Catfish, bass and other fish species that inhabit the shallows can be caught for recreational or commercial purposes. Moreover, the plant life in the shallows helps sustain the rest of the river. By providing food and habitat for the other species in the river, the plants are essential for the Mississippi’s overall health.
For over 200 years humans have been navigating the waters of the Mississippi. However, the river’s channel must remain clear of obstructions in order for safe and efficient trade to occur. The US Army Corps of Engineers is charged with the task of keeping the river unrestricted, removing navigational hazards and ensuring the river is free of sandbars and other obstructions that threaten safe navigation.
Today, the Mississippi is well-known as a major transportation artery, used by barges and other ships to carry goods and cargo. These vessels often come in contact with the river’s bottom, where sediment and silt can build up and slow navigation. This is why the Army Corps of Engineers shares the responsibility of keeping the Mississippi navigable with regular dredging initiatives.
Rich historical artifacts also provide an incentive for protecting the river’s bottom. Archeologists are tasked with scouring the river’s depths to discover the remnants of vessels and other items from the past. This exploration helps to bring to light the legacy of shipwrecks and their cargo, and reveals how far commerce and trade have come for the Mississippi.
Alternative Uses and Recreational Purposes
In recent years, the Mississippi has become a hot spot for recreational activities. Kayakers, paddle boarders, and jetskiers enjoy the calm waters of the river, while anglers venture off in search of bass, catfish, and other species. For the more adventurous, scuba diving has been on the rise, allowing explorers to discover novel fish species that lurk in the depths, as well as wrecks of ships of all sizes.
The Mississippi has also become an important source of energy. Hydroelectric power is generated from dams along the river, providing much-needed electricity for towns and cities along its banks. The river’s hydro power is also used to supply energy for transportation and industrial development further afield. These activities depend on the river being healthy and not polluted by human activities.
The Mississippi River is no longer seen as simply a source of transportation. There’s a wealth of recreational, economic and cultural activities that all rely on a healthy, thriving river. It’s a living, breathing entity, full of mystery and mystery, that beckons us to explore its depths.
Climate Change and The Mississippi
As climate change is becoming an increasingly pressing topic, its effects on the Mississippi River are being felt more and more. Summer droughts have become more frequent and intense, causing water levels to drop significantly, while winter rains and floods have become more common. Such changes are having drastic effects on the river’s ecosystems and those who rely upon it, both upstream and downstream.
Those living along the banks of the Mississippi have to grapple with the effects of these changing conditions. Droughts can cause crop failure and erosion of riverside flooding threatens communities living along the riverside. What’s more, the increased silt and sediment from river flooding is threatening to fill up navigation channels, impacting economic activity.
Climate change is having a dramatic effect on the Mississippi, affecting its flora and fauna, ecosystems and the humans living along its banks. As more research is conducted into its effects, more strategies are required to be implemented to mitigate these new challenges. Such strategies will ensure the health and sustainability of the Mississippi in the coming years.
Protecting the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is an incredibly important resource, both ecologically and economically. It benefits everyone who lives along its banks and those who rely on its resources. This is why it’s important to protect and preserve it for future generations.
Governments at all levels have taken steps to manage the resources within the Mississippi. In the US, the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act have been instrumental in keeping its waters safe and clean. Additionally, state and regional environmental organizations have implemented challenges to incentivize river cleanups and conservation initiatives.
Organizations such as the Friends of the Mississippi River provide local communities with support and financial incentives for conservation and cleanup projects. Their efforts have been instrumental in preserving the river for future generations, highlighting the importance of effective support for these initiatives.
Whilst many cite the technological advancements that have been made to navigate the Mississippi, it’s the commitment to its protection and cleanliness that will ensure its health and prosperity in the future.
