The Mississippi River is one of the most significant bodies of water in the United States and the world. Spanning almost 3,000 miles long and winding through ten U.S. states, the Mississippi is a major tributary of the Gulf of Mexico. Many people often wonder: what is the highest elevation of the Mississippi River?
Geographically speaking, the highest point of the Mississippi River is in Itasca State Park, located in northern Minnesota. This is where the source of the Mississippi originates from and the altitude of this point is 1,475 feet above sea level. This site was famously marked in the 19th-century by a special expedition by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, a former US Indian Agent.
The highest point along the entire course of the Mississippi River is recorded to be at St. Louis, Missouri. This is where the Missouri River and the Mississippi join together. Here, the highest point reaches 542 feet above sea level, reflecting the Missouri River’s steeper flow. To put things into perspective, the average elevation of the Mississippi River is at 200 feet.
According to experts, the Mississippi is a slow-flowing body of water that has a gradual slope. This slope influences the river’s flow in two ways. Firstly, it restricts water depths to its banks and Secondly, it affects the rate of erosion. This can be seen particularly in the riverside forests of St. Francis National Forest and on the banks at Vicksburg.
Although the Mississippi River has a gentle gradient, it carries vast amounts of sediment, particularly after rain. In extreme cases, these deposits have been recorded to accumulate up to four feet in a span of three days, resulting in flooding throughout the region.
The sediment carried by the Mississippi River has provided the greater area with several advantages. Firstly, the silt deposits have enabled the surrounding areas to become an agricultural hub. Secondly, wetlands, a result of the sediment, are essential for sustaining waterfowl populations and providing natural habitats for a variety of species.
The river also contains diverse habitats that contain important species, such as the invasive Asian carp, sturgeon, and paddlefish. This gives evidence that the Mississippi River has quite a robust environmental system, despite extensive change in its landscape over the years.
Effects of Commercial River Traffic
Due to the increasing demand for transcontinental transportation, the Mississippi River is used for commercial shipping to transport commodities along its course. It has been estimated that 80% of all US grain exports are transported by barge using the river.
Shipping along the Mississippi River has become much more complex in recent years due to heightened security. The introduction of the ‘Stop Movement Order’ applies to all vessels of any type, meaning that the physical movement of the vessels must be witnessed by a customs officier.
The increased trade has undoubtedly pressured the environment of the Mississippi River due to higher levels of pollution. This includes hazardous material discharge, oil pollution, wastewater/sewage, plastics, and solid waste. Consequently, conservation efforts are in place to protect the species and habitats that live along the water.
Some of these efforts include a designed shipping lane for vessels to reduce the disruption of nesting birds and other wildlife. Moreover, wooded habitat have been preserved drawing from the river, as well as special dredging operations to achieve optimal navigation.
Recreation and Tourism Along the River
The recreational activities and tourism along the Mississippi River are also quite popular. The river provides plenty of opportunities for fishing, camping, boating, and sailing. Tourists are also found in abundance visiting parks and other recreational areas.
Fishing activities in particular are integral to the local economy. While some species, such as largemouth bass, bluegill, and walleye, are popular amongst anglers, others are considered invasive, such as the Asian carp.
Given the fact that the Mississippi is a significant body of water and also contains public access areas, environmental policies and regulations are enforced to ensure that it isn’t taken advantage of. These policies enforce a ‘Catch and Release’ system and discourage the introduction of foreign species in order to maintain the river’s natural beauty.
Uses of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River plays an important role in both the local and global economy. Its principal industry is the shipping of commodities, mainly bulk cargo such as grains, coal, liquid chemicals, and petroleum. Although the river’s demand for transportation services have declined, it is still a major artery in the US waterway system.
Apart from that, the Mississippi River is a popular source of hydroelectric power. The locks and dams placed along the river provide plenty of potential sources of power. This has been beneficial in times of reduced evaporation or drought when other sources of water rely heavily on irrigation.
The Mississippi River is also highly valued for its great recreational activities, as mentioned before. These activities have attracted tourism, as well as outdoor and sports activities throughout the year. In addition, people can take advantage of river-based recreational and educational services such as wilderness camping, white water rafting, and more.
Cultural Significance of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River has held an important place in American culture since its discovery by the European explorers. Numerous movies, novels, and music have been written with the Mississippi as the topic, making it part of the cultural identity of the United States.
In addition, the riverboard- culture of singing and entertaining riverboat crews on the river has become a popular attraction especially in the states of Louisiana and Ohio. Furthermore, jazz music has often reflected the Mississippi River, with songs such as ‘Ol’ Man River’ singing praises to its enduring significance.
The Mississippi River has also represented the melting pot of American cultures. African-Americans and migrants seeking new opportunities and a different lifestyle, have often used the river to reach the new world. For example, the ‘Mississippi Freedom Trail’ was a major part of the American Civil rights movement.
Today, millions of people from all around the world are fascinated by the U.S.’ most famous river. It provides species with a habitat and is used for both transport and balance in the local ecosystem. It continues to be an important tourist attraction and stands as an enduring symbol at the heart of American culture.
Effects of River Engineering
River engineering is often used in order to modify the shifts in the river’s flow due to erosion or environmental changes. This is particularly crucial during the spring and summer months when the natural water cycle is associated with flooding.
A number of channel improvements have been made over the years on the Mississippi River, with many of these taking place between the states of Tennessee and Arkansas.
One of the most cited improvements is the New Madrid Floodway system, which works by providing levees and tunnels to redistribute the force of floodwaters away from large towns and built-up areas. This has been successful in saving many people’s homes and businesses since its introduction in the early 20th century.
The US Army Corps of Engineers have also played a major part in regulating the river. This includes providing research reports on river maintenance, offering safety protocols for dams, and developing recovery plans in the event of a disaster.
With the evolution of river engineering, the Mississippi River has been able to be managed relatively well over the years. This has enabled the US to continue utilizing its water resources for traditional navigation, transportation and economic development.
Environmental Issues
With the river’s importance to both the environment and economy, it is crucial that its long-term health is maintained. Over the past few decades, the environment of the Mississippi has been affected by human activities and development.
The human activities that have had an impact include industrial wastewater discharge, toxic spills, agricultural runoff, and water withdrawals. In some cases, these activities have polluted the Mississippi and its sediment, which is damaging to species and habitats.
In an attempt to reduce the impact of these activities, the Mississippi State Legislature has addressed some of these water issues. This includes introducing regulations to control water and sediment pollution, as well as providing assistance in the adaptation of cleaner energy sources.
Organizations, such as the Mississippi River Initiative and the Mississippi River Basin Alliance, have also set up campaigns and educational events to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the river. The goal is to educate others about sustainable practices to help save the river for future generations.
