Mississippi River System Overview
The Mississippi River is the fourth longest river in the world, stretching 2,320 miles from the headwaters of Northern Minnesota at Lake Itasca all the way to the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana. It serves as the main water supply for 40 percent of the United States, providing communities in 31 states with much-needed water, along with vast amounts of fertile soils for agricultural production that are continually refreshed by the river’s yearly floods.
The Mississippi River is an astounding phenomenon – over seven million gallons of water flow from Lake Itasca every day, cascading through much of the Midwest before finishing its journey at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
The river is connected to the Gulf of Mexico via a network of tributaries, streams, and canals. All these waterways join together to form the Mississippi River System—the fourth largest river basin on the planet. So vast is the System, it covers almost 40 percent of the continental United States.
The Chief Tributary of the Mississippi River
The chief tributary of the Mississippi River is the Missouri River. The Missouri begins at the headwaters of the Yellowstone River, located in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, and it flows generally to the east-northeast, eventually emptying into the Mississippi in St. Louis, Missouri. At its peak, the Missouri River is 3,770 miles long, making it the longest tributary of the Mississippi River.
The Missouri River provides nearly one-third of the total water that flows into the Mississippi River from the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Along with the Mississippi River, the Missouri River System also serves as a major source of drinking water for millions of people who live in the Midwest.
The Missouri River is also an essential economic resource for many states. It serves as an important avenue for shipping and transportation, provides navigation and access to power, and supports commercial fisheries. Farm lands to the east of the river rely on its nutrient-rich water for irrigation and production.
Significance of the Missouri River
The Missouri River is a vital component of North America’s vibrant ecology. This tributary of the Mississippi River is home to several endangered species as well as aquatic wildlife, providing habitats and resources for native plants, animals, and birds. It also serves as an important corridor for migratory species.
In terms of engineering and design, the Missouri River has been modified by humans to serve a variety of purposes, including flood control and navigation. During the 1950s and ’60s, the United States government built over 200 dams and other structures along the Missouri River as part of the Missouri River basin development project.
These efforts provided extensive benefits to densely populated areas by providing reliable water resources, stronger river flows, improved navigation, and enhanced flood control; at the same time, these efforts have caused negative impacts on local ecosystems.
Managing the Watershed
The Missouri River watershed is managed by several different agencies, with the US Army Corps of Engineers at the national level and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at the state level. These organizations are responsible for regulating water use and controlling floods in order to protect habitats and prevent harm to flora and fauna.
The Missouri River watershed is continuously impacted by a variety of sources, including human activities, climate change and natural disasters. Because of these influences, it is essential that the agencies responsible for managing the river consider not only current but also long-term effects in their plans and decisions.
Given its importance to water and energy resources, agricultural success, and commercial shipping, the Missouri River and its tributaries are of major significance and must remain a priority for protection and conservation efforts.
Effects of the Missouri River on the Mississippi River
The Missouri River plays a pivotal role in the health of the Mississippi River and helps to determine the level of nutrients that flow into the Mississippi. The nutrient load of the Missouri River has been increasing due to upstream development, resulting in an inundation of materials that ultimately flow into the Mississippi River.
As a result, the Mississippi River has become increasingly prone to algal blooms, an over-abundance of plant life that can cause damage to other aquatic life. The Missouri River is also responsible for providing the Mississippi with sediment, which is essential for the long-term health, stability, and productivity of the river.
Impacts of Human Activity on the Missouri River
The Missouri River supports some of the most productive and diverse ecosystems in the country. However, this same ecosystem is threatened by a variety of human activities. Agriculture, urbanization, and other forms of development have resulted in runoff, sedimentation, and other pollutants entering the river.
These activities can have devastating effects, including toxic algal blooms and an increase in nutrient and sediment loading. Human activities can also impact aquatic species, including fish and birds, as well as the overall quality of the water.
In order to protect the health of the Missouri River and its tributaries, it’s essential to regulate human activities in the watershed and to monitor any changes that might occur over time.
Effects of Climate Change on the Missouri River
Climate change is a major factor in the long-term health of the Missouri River and its tributaries. Increasing temperatures have led to higher evaporation rates, decreased snow accumulation, and drier river systems. These changes can impact the levels and flow of the river, the levels of sediment and nutrients, and other ecological aspects.
Climate change can also lead to droughts, which can severely impact aquatic species and habitats. Droughts can cause a decrease in water levels, an increase in sediment and pollutants, and an overall degradation of aquatic habitats.
These changes can have devastating effects on the Missori River and its tributaries. Therefore, it’s important to monitor the effects of climate change, and to institute mitigating measures to protect the river and its wildlife.
Current Conservation Efforts
Conservation efforts in the Missouri River watershed are being spearheaded by a variety of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private citizens. These efforts include monitoring and regulation of water resources, implementing policies to manage and protect aquatic species, reducing pollution, and restoring wetlands and aquatic habitats.
In addition to current conservation efforts, it’s important to develop and implement long-term plans that focus on the health of the river and its ecosystems. These plans should consider the effects of climate change, human activities, and other factors in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Missouri River and its tributaries.
Conclusion
The Missouri River is the chief tributary of the Mississippi River, contributing significantly to its ecosystem and economic vitality. It is essential for the protection and conservation of the Missouri River’s aquatic species, habitats, and water quality. Human activities, climate change and other factors, can all impact the river’s health, and these changes must be monitored and managed in order to ensure the sustainability of the river and its ecosystems.
