The Delta–Mississippi River is one of the most renowned rivers in the United States. It’s the fourth longest in the nation, stretching from Minnesota all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The Delta is also the birthplace of jazz, blues and country music, making it a must-see attraction for all sorts of travelers. The journey of the Delta–Mississippi river is a uniquely fascinating experience and provides a distinctive insight into the United States.
The river’s source is Lake Itasca in Minnesota, the headwaters of the Mississippi River, where the Mississippi begins its journey to the Gulf of Mexico. From there, the water flowing south is compromised of 12 different states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, and finally, ending in the Gulf of Mexico. With such a vast distance, so much of the US is encompassed in this river’s 4,352 mile journey.
Scientists refer to the Mississippi-Delta system as an “alluvial plain,” meaning it is a low-lying wetland. As the river pushes downstream, its current slows, causing sediment and soil to spill out into the Delta and other surrounding wetlands, creating new deltas and wetlands, and pushing farther inland. If it was not for the delta, the Mississippi River would never reach the Gulf. This is why the delta is considered so critical to the river’s journey and the environment that supports it throughout its entirety.
The delta is home to an impressive array of wildlife and plants. From the American alligator to the Louisiana black bear, the habitat of the delta is home to an array of protection species, some of which are endangered. Freshwater from the Delta is also essential for the migration of many marine species to the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Gulf sturgeon and blue crab.
The Delta region is facing a wide array of threats, including heavy erosion, climate change and resource extraction. A report conducted by the National Wildlife Federation reveals that the loss of delta wetlands is one of the many issues conservationists face. Wetland loss ultimately shrinks the spawning habitats of fish, the main source of food for the Delta region. The report states that the combination of wetland loss, decreased water quality, harmful water management and land fragmentation have had a damaging impact on the environment.
Despite these major threats, preserving natural resources within the Delta region remains a priority for the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency. Several initiatives are underway in order to combat the current problems, such as “The Great Mississippi River Water Trail”, an initiative that is working to restore the Delta-Mississippi watershed and create a “blue path” where visitors can explore the river, learn about its unique history and recognize its beauty.
As the Delta–Mississippi River continues to be a part of American culture, it is more important than ever to preserve the environment that makes it so extraordinary. The challenges of preserving its natural resources are great, but the river itself is an irreplaceable resource that must be protected.
Effects of Dams on the Delta-Mississippi
The Mississippi-Delta has been much impacted by a vast array of dams spanning the river’s course. These dams have altered the flow of the mighty Mississippi and altered the patterns of sediment deposition, ultimately changing the delta’s shorelines and affecting the habitats of the wildlife and plants of the region.
The effects on the delta’s shoreline are not just environmental, but economic too. The Delta of Mississippi region is home to a wide array of waterways, used extensively for transportation and commerce. The dams decrease the ability of these waterways to send commerce over their extensive water systems, and to the gulf with ease.
Due to the effect of the dams more has to be done of managing the sedimentation in the delta, so that it is deposited in an appropriate area. This could be done via dredging, as well as by levees that are built and strengthened so they offer some protection from the increasing flooding of the Delta.
Ultimately, the presence and effects of dams spanning the Delta-Mississippi River threaten the viability of the entire delta. It’s essential that this threat is recognised and dealt with in order to protect the river’s delicate ecosystems and preserve its way of life.
Hydropower in the Delta-Mississippi Region
Hydropower is one of the primary sources of renewable energy, harnessing the power of falling water and converting it into electricity. Hydropower production on the delta-mississippi river includes producing energy, water supply, and flood control, areas that are highly depended on in the delta region.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Delta-Mississippi region contains over 1,500 hydroelectric dams, the majority of which are utilized for electricity generation. The largest Delta-Mississippi river dam is the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, a system of locks, dams and channels that begins in northeast Mississippi and progresses all the way down to Apalachicola, Florida. This dam has the capability of producing up to 1,088 megawatts of power.
Hydropower provides a clean, reliable source of energy with minimal environmental impacts. By using hydropower, the delta can reduce its reliance on less reliable forms of energy such as coal and nuclear power.
That said, there is a myriad of difficulties linked with hydroelectric power generation. They can cause environmental hurt such as fleeing fish since they stop the sediments’ procession while transferring the flow of water upstream. Fishermen may protect against this by advocating for drought management programs that use powerful water release rate-ramps instead of depending solely on delays for the dams.
Growth of the Delta-Mississippi Tourism Industry
As the Delta extends from the northernmost parts of Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, it encompasses several states, each with its own variety of attractions. Tourists can take in views of the Mississippi River and its birds and wildlife, learn about the cultural history, or enjoy recreational and leisure activities. The Delta-Mississippi also allow access to surrounding areas, from the swamplands of Louisiana to the tributaries of Mississippi.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service gears many of their efforts towards helping travelers visit the Delta-Mississippi region. For example, they announce the annual ‘River Journeys Program’, which connects visitors with the area, helping to awaken the spirit of exploration and appreciation of the Mississippi River.
Boating, paddling, and conventional fishing are popular activities that are encouraged within the Delta-Mississippi region, There are over 150,000 miles of rivers and streams to explore and thousands of acres of lakes. The US Fish and Wildlife Service also work with environmental groups to provide educational workshops on river safety, sustainability, and conservation. All of this has contributed to the growth of the Delta-Mississippi tourism industry.
River Wildlife
The Delta-Mississippi river is the perfect home for an array of wildlife, including the Louisiana black bear, migratory birds and aquatic species. This region of the Mississippi River is host to hundreds of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, some of which are threatened or endangered species.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has taken many steps to protect the river wildlife in the Delta-Mississippi region, such as the establishment of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission in 2006. This commission works to conserve species habitats and wetland areas within the Delta-Mississippi. The commission also provides education about the importance of the river to the species’ habitats.
The Fish and Wildlife Service continues to take action to protect and restore this delicate eco-system. In 2008, the Floodplain Connectivity habitat conservation plan was created to provide a safe habitat for the species in the Delta-Mississippi. This conservation plan led to the reinforcement of the safety nets for species and habitats by providing protection to migratory birds, mussels, and other aquatic species that depend on the river.
Conclusion of the Delta-Mississippi
The Delta-Mississippi River is an incredible journey with a unique and diverse ecosystem, a majestic landscape and endless recreational opportunities. From upstream in Minnesota to downstream in the Gulf of Mexico, it offers a stunning array of experiences, while also providing a lifeline to the history, culture, and unique wildlife of the region.
The future of the Delta-Mississippi is uncertain, but with the help of ongoing initiatives, conservation efforts and stakeholders, it could become a thriving river with a rich and sustainable ecosystem.
