The Mississippi River is the second-longest and largest river system in the United States, running from the Wisconsin-Illinois border to the Gulf of Mexico, and covers an area of approximately 1.2 million square miles. The river also forms part of the Great Lakes & Mississippi River region, which is the most heavily populated and largest economic center in the U.S. It is an important transportation route, connecting key agricultural and industrial production hubs, providing water for drinking for over 10 million people living in the watershed, and powering an estimated 35,000MW of hydroelectric power.
The River’s length and watershed area is impressive – while it is 1,212,429 square miles total, its actual basin area is somewhat smaller. This is because the boundaries of the watershed are much larger than the area actually crossed by the River. The area between the banks and the watershed boundary, known as the ‘buffer zone’, is up to 500 feet in width at its greatest point. The ‘watershed area’ is larger yet again; this includes all the land draining into the River in Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper northwestern portions of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
The River also represents an incredible variety of life. Over 400 species of fish call the River home, as well as some 170 different species of birds and numerous amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Mammals living along the banks of the River include River Otters, Muskrats, Mink, Deer, Fox, Raccoons, Turtles and Snapping Turtles.
Those living near or visiting the river might have noticed a special characteristic that creates a unique environment. The River has a length of variability, or a region where the water moves in multiple directions. This is known as meandering, and it creates numerous backwater flooded areas in which wildlife and plants can thrive.
For citizens, business owners, and other stakeholders, the Mississippi River has an extensive impact on the quality of life. It serves as an important water source and an avenue of transportation, and is utilized by industries like mining and brewing, as well as by businesses like steel and paper manufacturing. The economic value of the River itself has been estimated to be close to 30 billion dollars annually.
Environmental Challenges
While the Mississippi River plays an important role in the nation’s economy and culture, it has faced several ecological challenges in recent years. Not the least of these challenges includes increasing pollution levels, caused by runoff from the millions of people living in the region and by industrial wastes. This has resulted in significant water quality problems, including decreasing levels of oxygen, increased eutrophication, which leads to hypoxic “dead zones”, and the spread of toxic chemicals and heavy metals.
Climate change has increased the frequency of severe weather events, and threatens to alter the flow of the river and its water levels, with implications for both water quality and aquatic life. In addition, deforestation of riverside forests to make way for cities and housing continues to degrade important riparian ecosystems and habitats. Moreover, the use of chemicals, fertilizers, and other pollutants in agricultural practices has the potential to contaminate water supplies that are used for drinking and other uses.
These environmental challenges will need to be addressed if the valuable ecosystem of the Mississippi River is to be protected moving forward. Conservation, restoration, and regulatory measures can all play a role in mitigating these negative impacts.
Economic Outlook for The Mississippi River
Despite its environmental challenges, the economic outlook for the Mississippi River remains positive, as it continues to function as an important regional connector and water source. As an important transportation, recreation, and power pathway, the River is a vital part of the regional economy and communities, and any effort to protect the environment of the River can only contribute to an improved economy in the area.
The Mississippi River provides employment opportunities, including jobs related to farming, fishing, manufacturing, recreation, shipping, and hydropower, while recreational activities such as kayaking, swimming, and bird-watching also add to local and regional economies. Furthermore, the River also serves many cultural and historic roles in the region, and its ancient artifacts form a connection between the cultures of the past and the present.
In the context of the global economy, the Mississippi River stands to benefit from increasing global demand for its resources like water, food, and energy. Proposals to build dams, desalination plants, and renewable energy systems are increasingly common in the region, as are plans to protect and restore the area’s unique ecosystem.
Benefits to Local Communities
The Mississippi River has a number of benefits to local communities in terms of job opportunities and infrastructure development, economic activity and investment, and recreational attractions. As the River is seen as an important source of transportation, food and energy production, and recreational opportunities, it has a positive impact on the nearby communities.
In addition, tourism along the Mississippi River has a positive economic impact on towns, businesses, and restaurants located within its watershed that benefit from the influx of visitors. The riverbanks are also a great source of recreation for locals residing near the River, providing opportunities for fishing, kayaking, swimming, and wildlife viewing.
The Mississippi River is also a source of national pride for many Americans. It has served as a significant cultural factor throughout history, acting as an important waterway between the North and the South, and continues to represent the robust cultural diversity of the region.
Own Insights and Analysis
Overall, the Mississippi River plays a highly beneficial role to those living in the surrounding region, both economically and environmentally. It provides necessary infrastructure, generates employment opportunities, attracts visitors, and serves as an important cultural factor. However, it also continues to face numerous ecological challenges, including changing water levels, increasing pollution, and escalating numbers of non-native species.
That being said, its immense economic and cultural value suggest an optimistic future for the River. Conservation, restoration, and mitigation efforts, as well as increased regulation, can all play a role in ensuring a healthy and prosperous ecosystem for the Mississippi River.
Solutions for an Improved Environment
The success of any environmental initiative will lie in the ability to provide solutions to the environmental challenges the River currently faces. These solutions should be collaborative and encompass a range of stakeholders from different levels of governance, and different interest groups.
To achieve a more sustainable management of the River, potential solutions could include: improved water quality through wastewater treatment, adoption of green infrastructure and improvements in agricultural management; enhancement of riparian corridors and wetlands; and improved fish passage management. What’s more, providing incentives for sustainable fishing practices and restoring native species are other potential solutions.
Laws and Regulations
In addition to the development of more green infrastructure, increased regulation of the River is necessary to ensure that the environment is well protected. There are a number of federal guidelines in place regulating activities in and around the River, and these have helped to reduce the number of threats to the environment, as well as improve water quality.
In the case of water pollution, the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 is the oldest piece of federal legislation that prohibits the discharge of toxic substances into navigable waters. The Clean Water Act, last amended in 1987, is a more comprehensive piece of legislation that covers a greater range of pollutants. More recently, the Water Pollution Control Act of 1987 was enacted, and this enables the EPA to set and enforce limits on pollutants.
Overall, the development of laws and regulations has helped to reduce the level of pollution in the River, as well as protect and restore riparian habitats and regulate fishing practices.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River is not only a significant economic engine for the region, it is also a major source of recreation, employment, and cultural pride. An improved understanding of its potential ecological challenges, combined with improved regulations, conservation and restoration initiatives, and sustainable resource management, can all help to ensure the River’s continued prosperity.
