Overview of the Mississippi River Basin
The Mississippi River Basin is the area that collects water from 41 percent of the 48 contiguous United States and drains it into the Gulf of Mexico. After the Missouri and Ohio Rivers, the Mississippi River is the third largest in the United States. It begins in northern Minnesota at the headwaters and gathers water from tributaries such as the Minnesota River, St. Croix River, and the Wisconsin River. It then winds its way south through Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, and Mississippi before entering the Gulf of Mexico at New Orleans.
The Mississippi River Basin is historically significant and serves as a lifeblood for America’s heartland. Not only is the basin populous, but its rivers are responsible for much of the nation’s food, energy, wetland habitat, and wildlife population.The Mississippi has been essential to the growth and development of the region, providing transportation, transportation and attracting settlements.
Importance of the Mississippi River Basin
The Mississippi River Basin not only provides a vital waterway, but it contributes to a wide variety of industries. Over 95 million Americans rely on the basin’s rivers for drinking, agriculture, recreation, industry, and waste disposal. The river also plays a key role in the production of corn, soybeans, and other major crops, using its hydrological cycle to water them. Approximately 40% of the United States’ exported grain is shipped through the Mississippi River each year, making it essential to the region’s economy.
The Mississippi River Basin is also vital to the livelihood of the Gulf of Mexico, serving as the main source of nutrients and sediment to the fragile coastal wetlands and estuaries. This valuable ecosystem relies heavily on the river’s nutrients to support a rich variety of sea life. The Mississippi River is also a major source of water for the entire region and provides drinking water for many of the cities along the river, as well as for industries.
Environmental Conditions of the Mississippi River Basin
The condition of the Mississippi River Basin has long been discussed by environmental groups, state governments, and the federal government. Currently, the river is a part of a struggle between conservation and development due to human overuse of resources. Overuse has led to the destruction of wetlands, endangered species, and pollution. In some areas, the water is completely unable to support aquatic life. As a result, in 2005, the Mississippi River Commission formed to help manage and protect the river.
The Commission identifies habitats devastated by invasive species, sedimentation, nitrogen inputs, and phosphorus runoff, as well as the effects of climate change on the Mississippi and its tributaries. The Commission has also worked to create and implement plans such as modernizing the Lower Mississippi River Navigation System and the Lower Flood Control Plan.
Human and Industrial Activity in the Mississippi River Basin
The Mississippi River Basin is one of the most densely populated areas in the United States. This population is responsible for a substantial amount of human and industrial activities that can have a significant impact on the health of the basin. Agriculture and industry are the chief offenders, with activities resulting in hazardous runoff from farms and livestock, construction, and a high level of pollutants from urban runoff.
Changes in the course of the river due to activities such as dredging and dams have also had their impact. Dams have changed the temperature and speed of the river, altering its nutrient levels, while also causing a decrease in the native species in many areas.
Hydrology and Water Quality of the Mississippi River Basin
The Mississippi River Basin’s hydrology is an important component of its overall health. Water quality is being affected by absorbed nitrogen from agrichemicals and runoff from urban areas. Changes in the hydrological cycle due to climate change have also had an impact on the water quality, with extreme weather leading to mass runoff of pollutants.
The water quality in parts of the Mississippi River Basin can also be affected by human activities. Mines, wells, and dams all interfere with the hydrological cycle, changing the timing and quantity of runoff into the basin and altering the water balance of its rivers and streams. Additionally, reduced flow due to river modification, channelization, and water diversion all contribute to increases in water temperature, salinity, and sedimentation.
Habitat Destruction in the Mississippi River Basin
The Mississippi River Basin supports a number of species, and its habitats are some of the most diverse in the nation. Unfortunately, these habitats are being destroyed by human and industrial activity. The destruction of habitats creates problems for native species, as well as for those species that depend on the river for resources. Changes to the river have led to decreased populations of waterfowl, mussels, fish, and amphibians due to habitat alteration, chemical runoff, and a reduction in the quality of available water.
Restoration efforts have been implemented to restore the habitats in the Mississippi River Basin, using diversion of water and reestablishment of wetlands to help improve the quality of the water. Other efforts, such as implementing sedimentation control plans and encouraging regenerative agriculture, are also being undertaken in order to protect the environment and species of the basin.
Flooding in the Mississippi River Basin
The Mississippi River Basin experiences severe flooding due to its geography and climate. Floods can occur due to excess rainfall, snow melt, or tropical storms. These floods cause massive damage to the region, damaging homes, businesses, and roads. The floods also cause hazardous runoff of pollutants that can contaminate drinking water and harm aquatic life.
The federal government has implemented a number of flood prevention measures, such as levees, floodwalls, and river channelization, in an attempt to reduce the amount of flood damage. The Mississippi River Commission is also implementing plans to reduce the impacts of floods such as the Mississippi Flood Control Plan, which seeks to protect the region from future flooding.
Drought in the Mississippi River Basin
At the opposite extreme, the Mississippi River Basin can experiences severe droughts due to extended periods of dry weather. These droughts cause significant damage to the environment and to people, reducing stream and river inflows, leading to water shortages, and harming agricultural production. The region is also experiencing decreased water quality and increased sedimentation as a result of the drought.
To help combat the effects of drought, the commission is implementing a number of plans, such as improving water management, studies of the Mississippi’s hydrological cycle, and conservation measures. These plans are intended to help protect the region in the event of another drought, reducing the damage that it may cause.
