The Mississippi River is a major river located in the United States, and is considered to be the 4th largest river in the world in terms of watershed size. It is 2,320 miles long from its headwaters to its delta, and averages about 300-400 feet in depth, with some sections over 1,000 feet deep. It is the most heavily traveled river in the US, accounting for 25% of waterborne freight. At its widest, the river is 10 miles across, and over 40 miles wide at its widest point.
The river has had a major influence on our nation’s growth and development, as it served as a major transportation route in the 19th century during the time of westward expansion. Many key cities have grown up along the banks of the Mississippi, and its tributaries connect 31 US states, making it an invaluable asset to those states. It is also home to a variety of different wildlife, and is a source of livelihood for many people who live and work along the river.
The Mississippi River’s length and width vary depending on the season and waterflow. Its original length and width were determined by the shape of its Delta, a wide triangular area of deposited silt and sand, located at the mouth of the river. During the wetter months, the water level is higher, resulting in a wider river. From its start in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to the mouth of the river in the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans, the Mississippi is about 2320 miles long. However, when the water level is at its highest, it can stretch up to 2700 miles. At its widest point, the river is 40 miles wide, though it can range anywhere between 10-40 miles in width, due to shifting sandbars and waterspouts.
The width of the Mississippi River also changes with the seasons. During spring flooding, the river’s channel and shorelines can change by as much as 200 to 300 feet, enabling it to stretch up to 40 miles across in some sections. During the dry season, however, the width of the Mississippi usually reduces to around 10 miles in the length of its main channel. The Mississippi’s depth too is ever changing, as the river bed and sediment are constantly shifting due to the movement of the waters.
The fluctuation in the width and length of the Mississippi River is primarily caused by floods and rapid changes in water flow. Major flooding can cause the river to swell and expand beyond its normal size, leading to a change in the river’s channels and shorelines. Rapid changes in the level of water can also affect the width of the Mississippi, as the rising and falling water changes the size of the river’s delta. Furthermore, increased rains in certain parts of the river’s watershed can result in unusually high water levels during the wet season.
Overall, the Mississippi River has had a major influence on human life in the United States. From being a major transportation route in the 19th century, to providing sustenance to the wildlife and local inhabitants along the river’s banks, the Mississippi is a vital component of US history and culture. As far as the length and width of the Mississippi River is concerned, these can vary greatly depending on the time of the year and waterflow. The river is usually around 2320 miles long and 10-40 miles wide, with occasional changes due to floods and other factors.
The Role of Human Activity
Human activity has had a great impact on the length and width of the Mississippi River over the years. Dams and other structures built on the river for development purposes can at times disrupt its natural flow and cause it to change drastically in its width and length. For example, the construction of man-made channels can lead to sediment accumulation and alter the river bed. The Mississippi’s width in some regions has also suffered due to the dredging of the Mississippi’s Arkansas Delta, where the sediment and material has been removed to accommodate the construction of ports and harbors. Additionally, deforestation and other land-use activities in the river’s watershed can lead to erosion, leading to a decrease in the width of the river. All of these human activities can lead to a decrease in the size of the Mississippi, making it narrower and shorter.
The human interference in the Mississippi River is also causing sediment and material to become trapped behind the dams and levees, which in turn is blocking the natural flow of water and preventing the sediments from being deposited. As a result, the river is getting narrower and its sediments are not being replenished. This, in turn, has been causing the channel to become shallower, with some areas of the river becoming dry during dry seasons.
The US Army Corps of Engineers is tasked with managing and maintaining the Mississippi River and its many tributaries. Through its various programs, it is attempting to reduce human activity’s impact on the river’s length and width. For example, the Corps is researching flood mitigation and dredging techniques designed to reduce erosion and sedimentation in the upper watershed. The Corps also strives to ensure that the man-made channels are properly maintained and operated, to ensure minimal impact on the Mississippi’s flow. Through its environmental research and analysis, the Corps is helping to maintain the health of the Mississippi, ensuring that its size and shape remain largely unchanged.
Government Responsibilities
Due to the Mississippi River’s importance and impact, several government agencies have taken responsibility for its maintenance and enjoyment. The US Army Corps of Engineers is primarily responsible for the task of preserving and managing the river, ensuring that its flow and depth are kept constant. Additionally, the US Geological Survey (USGS) also collects data about the river, studying its length and width, as well as the quality of its water. Over the years, the USGS has gathered information on the river’s water flow and velocity, which can help to inform mankind’s management of the river.
To supplement the USGS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also issued various laws for the protection of the Mississippi, such as the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System. The purpose of these laws is to limit pollution and other activities that might end up damaging the river’s length, width, and the quality of its water. Furthermore, the EPA also ensures that the amount of nutrients in the water is kept at a balanced level, and that any pollutants are quickly removed. Through its regulatory actions, the EPA has been able to reduce human activities, ensuring that the Mississippi River remains as healthy and unspoiled as possible.
Climate Change Impact
Climate change is one of the most common threats to the length and width of the Mississippi River. As global temperatures rise, the amount of water flow in the river is expected to decrease, leading to a decrease in the river’s width. Additionally, higher temperatures can lead to increased evaporation, resulting in drier conditions and ultimately reducing the water flow in the Mississippi. This, in turn, could lead to a decrease in its length as well as its width.
Furthermore, climate change can lead to an increase in flooding events in certain parts of the Mississippi’s watershed. This could lead to an increase in sediment buildup and consequently an increase in the width of the river at those areas. However, this could also lead to a decrease in the water flow, leading to a decrease in its length. Thus, the impacts of climate change on the Mississippi are complex and unpredictable.
Apart from climate change, there are also other threats to the health of the Mississippi River. For example, over-harvesting of water has been known to drastically reduce water flow and lead to a decrease in the river’s length and width. Furthermore, habitat destruction in the upper reaches of the river’s watershed can lead to a decrease in the amount of water flowing into the river. All of these factors, combined with the effects of climate change, point to the need for proper management and conservation of the Mississippi to ensure that its length and width remain constant over time.
Consequences
The consequences of a decrease or increase in the Mississippi River’s length or width can be severe, especially for those who depend on the river for their livelihoods. For instance, if a decrease in width occurs, the amount of water flowing through the river will be reduced, which could lead to a decrease in waterborne shipping and commerce. Additionally, decreased water levels can reduce the river’s ability to flush sediment and pollutants, leading to poor water quality.
On the other hand, if the width of the Mississippi increases due to sediment buildup and flooding, this can create problems for the communities living along the river, leading to flooding and the destruction of homes and other properties. It can also lead to an increase in waterborne diseases, such as cholera and dysentery, due to the poor quality of water that can result from increased flooding.
Additionally, changes in the length and width of the Mississippi can also have negative impacts on the wildlife that live in and around the river. A decrease in the amount of water flowing through the river could reduce the river’s ability to support fish and other aquatic creatures, leading to the decline of their populations. On the other hand, an increase in the width of the Mississippi can lead to a decrease in the amount of available land for animals to roam, leading to a decrease in their numbers.
Conclusion
Overall, it is clear that the length and width of the Mississippi River change over time, and that these changes can have a drastic impact on the habitat of the river and the people and wildlife dependent on it. For this reason, it is important that proper management and conservation be upheld in order to reduce the impact of human activities and climate change on the river’s length and width. By doing so, we will be able to ensure that the Mississippi remains healthy and die pristine for future generations to come.
