The Mississippi River is one of the most important rivers in the United States and is the second longest river in the whole world. It starts its journey from Lake Itasca in Minnesota before emptying out into the Gulf of Mexico. Along its banks lays the 10th largest economy in the world which needs the river’s resources and transportation routes in order to sustain growth and development. Despite the Mississippi River’s pivotal role in the country’s economy, its condition has become increasingly concerning in recent years, prompting debate among river conservationists, government officials and members of the public.
The Headwaters of the Mississippi River are located in northern Minnesota and are considered the best kept secret of the area. Recently, the Headwaters have become prone to the effects of climate change making them more susceptible to drought and extreme temperatures. This, in turn, affects the river’s flow and its ability to provide for the various industries that are dependent on it. Changes in the seasons have also led to ill-timed floods which have been known to damage important infrastructure, including levees, bridges, roads and harm the economic growth of the region.
Data from the US Geological Survey indicates that the Mississippi River’s water quality is worsening with the levels of nitrates and phosphate becoming increasingly higher due to extensive agricultural practices, pollution and excessive waste disposal. In other areas, certain chemicals have been found to have a negative effect on the health of species that live in the river and its surrounding ecosystems such as turtles and fish. These can accumulate in the river over time and cause potential harm to the environment and to the people that live near it.
The Mississippi River has also been impacted by human activities outside of the region. In many of the agricultural areas nearby, fertilizers and pesticides are used which run off into the river, leading to the disruption of aquatic habitats even further. Furthermore, activities further upstream such as the extraction of coal and other minerals have adverse affects on the river’s water quality which is felt downstream in places like Louisiana and Mississippi.
Experts agree that in order to bring the condition of the Mississippi River back to its initial pristine state, a collective effort must be given. The Mississippi River’s source is the Aquifers and the 5 state Governors of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas must address the river’s water quality if they are to improve its overall condition in the long term.
Current Conservation Efforts
The federal government has taken steps to protect the Mississippi River, declaring it a “water of the United States” which means that it must be managed in a way that not only protects the environment, but also human and animal health. At the state level, there are a number of initiatives in place to help protect the river, such as conservation efforts, watershed protections and programs to reduce agricultural runoff. These types of initiatives help to reduce the amount of pollution that is entering into the Mississippi River and help to improve its overall water quality.
In addition to the actions being taken by the federal and state governments, a range of non-profit organizations dedicated to the protection of the river’s health have been established. These organizations set themselves the task of monitoring the river’s health and leading consciousness-raising campaigns to help individuals understand the importance of taking care of the Mississippi River.
Some efforts have even included the establishment of buffer zones along the riverbanks to protect the waterway from the effects of human activity. There are also organizations involved in restoring the river habitats and channels which have been disrupted by human development. These bodies also engage in species conservation, tracking the health and numbers of key species in the river such as the American eel, mussel, sturgeon and paddlefish.
Barriers in Conservation
The conservation efforts surrounding the Mississippi River, however, have been met with their own difficulties. Chief of which has been a lack of funding for certain projects, with certain initiatives being too costly or falling through due to scarce resources. Saying this, the increase in public awareness of the Mississippi River’s condition and the availability of donations by members of the public seeking to protect them have had some positive impacts.
Ultimately, the success of the various conservation projects surrounding the Mississipi River has been both a success and a failure. The tactics used to encourage protection and conservation of the river have had some viable results but more effort could be done if resources where more widely allocated.
River Infrastructure and Development
The development of roads, cities and other infrastructure along the Mississippi River has had a considerable negative impact on the river’s health. As cities have expanded and development has continued, numerous disruptions to the flow of the river have occurred, leading to higher levels of sediment buildup in certain areas and flooding in others.
As well as this, the construction of various structures and dams have interfered with the natural flow of the river. As well as pumps, floodwalls and levees, these dams and structures have been argued largely responsible for the decreasing of sediment, the disruption of fisheries and the slowing of the river’s current.
Groups advocating for the protection of the Mississippi River have condemned large-scale development and have demanded that it cease in order for the river to be given time to heal. Such proposals have met with disapproval from certain industries who argie that it would have a detrimental effect on their ability to sustain jobs and production.
Autorities over the area have called for better, more informed conversations and collaborations between these industries and river protection groups in order to get a more holistic understanding of the potentially conflicting interests between the two parties.
Role of the Public
The public also plays a major role in the protection of the Mississippi River and it is expected that they understand the impact their everyday activity has on the river’s health. Simple activities such as disposing of waste and recycling materials properly, as well as avoiding the runoff of toxins into the river help in preserving its condition.
The public can also give support to various conservation efforts, either through donating to certain non-profits and signing petitions to raise awareness of the issue. Locally-led activities aiming to restore the river’s health such as river clean ups and tree plantings also involve public participation and have been met with wide ranges of community engagement.
Preserving the Mississippi River is a global responsibility and advocating for its health will require a collective effort from protectors, industry representatives and the public alike. Protracted conversations and collaborations between these groups should focus on ways of understanding the conflicting interests between the individual parties and finding ways of reaching a compromise.
River Management and Government Policies
The Mississippi River is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The USACE is responsible for managing and maintaining the river’s health and also plays a direct role in the development of infrastructure necessary for river transport. Such infrastructure includes locks, dolphins, dams and jetties.
Certain federal laws are in place to help protect the integrity of the Mississippi River such as the Navigable Waters Protection Act and the Clean Water Act. The policies outlined by these acts help to protect the river from activities that can have a negative environmental effect such as the dumping of industrial waste and sewage.
The USACE also has certain maintenance practices in place to help ensure the river’s health. Such practices include levees and channels which are used to contain the river and divert excess water away from areas downstream, helping to reduce flooding in midwest states such as Louisiana and Mississippi. These measures, however, are not perfect and can sometimes lead to the disruption of certain habitats.
Invasive Species Control
In recent years, the introduction of non-native species into the Mississippi River has had a detrimental effect on many of the existing wildlife. Such species include the zebra mussel and the Asian carp which both have stronger lifespans and better abilities to reproduce than most native species. These have caused an increase in competition among other species leading to a decrease in overall fish and mussels numbers.
In order to combat this issue, a number of strategies have been proposed to help eradicate the introduction of these nonnative species. Methods used include the physical removal of the species, the use of chemicals, barriers and traps and biological control methods. So far, no single technique has been able to completely eradicate the threat of invasive species in the Mississippi River.
In closing, the Mississippi River is an important asset to the United States and the world, but its overall condition is worrying Due to the complex nature of the issues surrounding its health, the situation calls for a collaborative team effort and the expertise of a range of different individuals in order to ensure a better quality of river life and the regeneration of the river for future generations.
