What is the rate of the Mississippi River Disappearing? It is no secret that the Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in the United States and the world. An equally important fact is that the rate of its disappearing has become increasingly noticeable in recent decades, something which has been evidenced by the data collected by naturalists and hydrologists. However, before delving into the exact rate of the Mississippi River covering up, it is vital to give some context regarding the natural process behind this phenomenon.
Essentially, the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, but when the water is pumped upstream or by natural processes, sand is deposited in the Gulf, raising the sediment level. This process has been going on for many years, but due to the rise of industries, the pumping of water and the slower replenishment of water over a larger area, the rate of the shrinking of the water has increased.
According to hydrologists, the American River Commission in 1872 conducted a survey to gauge the rate of the Mississippi River’s disappearance. Their conclusion documented that the river proceeds to decrease at a general rate of 1.24 feet per year. This rate has been revised since, concluding that every year the Mississippi River’s route is 120 feet shorter. In essence, this implies that since the beginning of the 20th century, the river has decreased its length by 24 miles, allowing for the Gulf to occupy 1,180,000 acres more land. It is fair to conclude that this alarming rate of disappearance, which increases annually, is concerning.
Experts have stated the importance of water flows which can be used to entice more water into the river, in addition to ensuring the proper usage of water. While these steps are being taken, the rate of the Mississippi River disappearance is still high, and awareness needs to be raised in order to prevent this beautiful natural landmark from further vanishing. Still, looking at some other factors, one can contextualize the importance of water scarcity in the USA and the implications it might have on the Mississippi River.
What Causes the Rate of Disappearance to become Increasingly Outdated?
The rate of disappearance of the Mississippi River can be attributed to the expanding human settlement along its banks. This human intervention has caused the displacement of large portions of the river’s original stream. Prolonged human development has caused extensive damage to the banks of the river, allowing for water run-off, storm-water drains, and related activities.
Furthermore, with the intense farming activities taking place in the Mississippi River’s surrounding area, the water run-off and stormwater drains increase the likelihood of sediment and other foreign materials to creep in, leading to the water becoming increasingly shallow thus leading to the decreasing size of the Mississippi River. Rising sea levels also have an impact on the rate of the Mississippi River’s disappearance, as it weakens the protective stream layer from which it can be replenished. This gives rise to the phenomenon known as “riverine erosion”.
Additionally, the increased industrialization of regions along the Mississippi River’s banks yields to damages such as the usage of toxic materials which contaminate the water, and consequently, the weakening of the ecosystem upon which the river subsists. All of these combined has lead to the phenomenon of the Mississippi River disappearing at an alarming rate.
What Steps Have Been Taken to Prevent the Further Disappearance of the Mississippi River?
Various efforts have been made in order to prevent the steady disappearance of the Mississippi River, one of which being the initiation of the Ecosystem Restoration Program in 1997. This program has aimed to protect species and water quality, restore wetlands, and preventing further shoreline disruptions. Other projects include the creation of a “nonpoint source pollution” program, which has worked to protect water quality, and reduce or eliminate the run-off and stormwater drains.
Furthermore, in 1998, the Mississippi River Commission set forth the “Mississippi River Environmental Restoration Program,” which has the objective to identify and implement habitat-specific restoration activities which are beneficial for the wildlife species living in adjacent areas of the river. Such activities have included establishing buffer zones, creating riparian habitats, eliminating invasive species, and promoting the development of water cycles which can be used to entice water back into the river.
Still, despite of these projects, the shifting of the river into the Gulf of Mexico still continues to take place, making it increasingly challenging for conservationists to halt the rate of the Mississippi River’s disappearance. The decreasing trends of water levels along the Mississippi River basin point towards the need of precautions against the further reduction of water quality and is raising awareness on the importance of nature conservation.
Existing Plans Obstructing the Recovery of the Mississippi River?
It is important to note that existing plans and regulations have been put in place to protect the river, however in some cases these plans have proven ineffective or have even caused other problems. For example, while the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 aimed to protect the Mississippi River and its tributaries, it has also led to the halting of hydrological dynamics, causing several erosion issues in downstream areas. In more recent times, the implementation of the Clean Water Act has allowed for the river’s waters to become more clear. However, due to its outdated nature, it fails to properly account for the usage of fertilizers and wastewater.
Additionally, the prevention of upstream waterways from joining the larger Mississippi River has caused several sediment load issues, leading to the decreased size of the river. The lack of sediment load causes the land around the Mississippi River to become increasingly more eroded, therefore making the river even more shallow, leading to its disappearance.
Implications of the Rate of Disappearance of the Mississippi River
The disappearing rate of the Mississippi River has brought up some of the following implications. Firstly, the deleterious effects that the rate of the Mississippi River disappearance has had on the wildlife living in and around it is undeniable. The lack of water and sediment load has caused ecosystems to be increasingly fragile and delicate, limiting the possibilities of the species which inhabit it.
Additionally, the rate of the Mississippi River disappearance is causing numerous problems concerning navigation, as the river is becoming increasingly shallow, making it difficult for ships to access it. Lastly, the increasing rate of the Mississippi River disappearance will impact the human economy, as it has allowed for the Gulf of Mexico to cover up over 1,180,000 more acres of land, taking away from valuable resources.
Mississippi River Disappearing: Is There Hope for the Future?
The rate of the Mississippi River disappearing has been a source of concern for many years. However, there are many ways which the rate of disappearance can be slowed down via implementing efficient conservationist protocols, such as conducting studies on upstream approaches, increasing the sediment load, and creating buffer zones to limit the amount of human-induced damage to the waterways. Furthermore, if conservationist protocols are successfully carried out, they will improve water quality and efficient water management, leading to a controlled rate of the Mississippi River disappearance.
Not to mention, the implementation of models which utilize data-driven approaches can be used to study the river’s hydrological dynamics, enabling conservationists to devise better strategies for protecting the Mississippi River. Adopting innovative approaches like these can prove beneficial for not only the Mississippi River but other water resources in the USA as well.
Analysis and Conclusions
As evidenced by the previous sections, the rate of the Mississippi River disappearing is substantial, leading to far-reaching implications. From the impact on the wildlife to the threats it has imposed on the navigation industry, it is clear that the disappearing rate of this natural landmark is a concerning issue which needs to be rectified. The amount of data collected by hydrologists and conservationists testifies to this phenomenon, portraying it as a growing matter.
Not to mention, several steps have been taken to combat the Mississippi River disappearing, however, the problem still persists. The necessity of raising awareness about the importance of water conservation, highlighting the environmental issues that are contributing to the Mississippi River disappearing, and emphasizing the need for an improvement in water management systems is now imperative.
For too long, the importance of protecting our natural areas has been overlapped and acted upon as an afterthought. It is now crucial to realize that the Mississippi River disappearing is only a symptom of a larger and more serious issue. Thus, it is only when we come together and pledge to act to protect the Mississippi River that we can hope to revive the river in the future.
