The Mississippi River is, without doubt, one of the most important waterways in the United States. It stretches across the country, connecting 26 states and two provinces in Canada, acting as a bridge for both natural and man-made transportation routes. Every year it transports millions of tons of cargo and carries communities who rely on its bounty for sustenance and employment.
The Mississippi is no ordinary river. Originating from the glacial deposits in Minnesota, the river winds its way for more than 2,300 miles until it discharges its waters into the Gulf of Mexico near Louisiana. In metropolitan area hydro occupancy, it is second only to the Amazon. Besides its geographical importance, the Mississippi River can be credited for playing a major role in the history, culture and development of the United States.
Back in 1673, Louis Jolliet and René-Robert Cavelier, the first Europeans to explore the area, travelled as far south as Arkansas. Shortly after, the French commenced settlement along the Mississippi, sparking the continuous settlement of the river basin by Europeans. From 8,000 native inhabitants in 1600, the number grew to more than 4 million by 1850.Towns and cities grew along the river, laying the foundation of the earliest industries and trade networks in the area.
The Mississippi is highly responsible for the development of the Midwest. Through its astonishing length, the river drainages 2000 tributary streams, creating a vast reservoir of land and water around the basin. As a result, it has been the major provider of drinking water and irrigation for the Midwest for centuries. The river’s proximity to the ocean has made it an ideal transportation route for commercial barges, bringing innumerable potential and revenue to the regions along it.
It is natural for the Mississippi River Basin to thrive in biodiversity. The river flows through multiple habitats, ranging from subtropical swamps to glacial environments. With more than 1,000 species of fish, 300 bird species and hundreds of plant-species, it is rich in a variety of flora and fauna. Even today, the river is a primary source of livelihood, food and wealth for many people, preserving an elaborate traditional lifestyle.
The importance of the Mississippi River has long been highlighted since the founding of the US. Paired with the Great Lakes, the river makes up one-third of the US continental freshwater. The safeguarding of this resource is incredibly important as it serves multiple national needs,including navigation and transportation, agricultural irrigation and energy production, recreation and wildlife and pollution.
The river has not just benefitted the nation but also served as one of the foundations of the North American continent. Its history is older than the United States itself, offering opportunities for recreation and reflection to those looking to explore its depths.
Economic Impact
The economy generated by the Mississippi River Basin is indescribable. Its importance to North American transportation dates as far back as the 1700s when the first steamboat transportation was established between New Orleans and St. Louis.Even today, the river supports key industries such as agriculture, transportation, fisheries and energy production.In the twenty first century,the river has become the topmost trading route between the US and the world.
River-borne carriers are widely employed to transport agricultural products, petrochemicals, petroleum and commercial cargo worth billions of dollars across the continent. These measures have opened up fresh economic opportunities for the people living in the states along the river as it has encouraged employment in the industrial, agricultural,tourism and other similar sectors.
The hydrology of the river has also influence local and national economy. The water resources have been effectively utilised to generate hydroelectric power and facilitate commercial navigation. The electrical charges from the generated power account for nearly 40 percent of the electricity produced in the US, backing 115 million households with clean energy.
Environmental Impact
The Mississippi River boasts a variety of habitats, part of its uniqueness and beauty. As the river flows through multiple states, its energy is used for commercial navigation and hydraulic energy production. This energy is generated through diversion of waters from its basin,leading to positive and negative side effects.
Despite its benefits, water diversion affects surface runoff and water availability in the basin. The development of dams,canals and ports has altered the natural flow of the river, leading to compromised biodiversity and reduced water quality.Among the obligations for human quality of life, it is also important that water is protected.
The poor quality of water has lead to interrupted habitats for animals such as mammals, fish, reptiles and birds. It is now possible to spot species such as bass, sturgeon, crappie, bluegill and catfish in the lower portion of the river.Unfortunately, organisms that inhabit near-shore habitats and wetlands downstream of dams have declined drastically as a result of major changes in water conditions.
Conservation Strategies
Despite the economic and environmental problems it faces, there are some important efforts being made to protect the river and its unique ecology. This includes conservation projects to preserve habits, species and critical habitats in the river’s watershed.If we consider the longterm health of the river, severe long-term impacts and disturbance can be mitigated.
Conservation is a continuous process, and requires collective efforts to ensure the sustainability of the river’s water quality and ecology. The conservation activities include restoring degraded habitats, controlling water pollution, and minimising the pressure of human activities on the river.Besides this, protection measures also focus on raising awareness about the importance of the Mississippi River among the general public.
Pollution Issues
The Mississippi River faces a huge amount of water pollution from both natural and human sources.Due to industrial development, agricultural runoff and wastewater, toxic and pathogenic pollutants remain in the river for long periods of time. This pollution has a direct relationship to the health of the fish, birds and other wildlife that live in the river. It can also be hazardous to human health if ingested.
To make matters worse, most of the waste that contaminate the river is flushed through drainage systems and released into the Mississippi. Industry along the river can include heavily industrialised plants,whose chemical runoff may contribute to dangerous levels of pollution. The pollution problems have grown so severe that they have created dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico.These are areas with oxygen so low that the marine life cannot live there.
Restoration Strategies
The water quality and resources of the Mississippi River Basin are restored through implementation of restoration plans and implementation of monitoring strategies. Analytical procedures are used to assess and monitor the water quality and determine the sources of pollution in the river.These analyses are then used to develop policies and strategies to improve water quality and prevent further deterioration.
Protection efforts are also extended to seek-out sources of pollution within cities. To this effect, municipalities, industries and governments continue to invest in wastewater and waste management control,led by strict regulations.This has led to the installation of wastewater treatment facilities in the region, aiming to purify and reuse the contaminated water.
The other approach to restoring the Mississippi River involves public engagement. Public awareness campaigns have aimed to urge stakeholders to take on a proactive role and promote greater public participation in riverside management. This has created an effective platform to influence policy-making and place the issues of environmental protection at the forefront.
