The mighty Mississippi is a vital source of water for the lives of many. It is the seat of natural abundance and the wealth of nations, as it serves for dozens of recreational activities, fishing, boating and more. But, perhaps the most important aspect of this river is its final destination, the journey down its estuary, into the impressive Gulf of Mexico, where it has come to feed all that was life to the waters of the United States. Across centuries, the Mississippi has been a great friend of the American people, a generous provider of comfort and commerce, and a constant defender against floods and drought. That is why it is vital to understand, in depth, the answer to the question: “What ocean does the Mississippi River flow into?”
The Mississippi River, also known as ‘the Big Muddy’ is the main river of the great United States, running more than 2,300 miles by the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Missouri again. Starting at the little town of Lake Itasca, the river has many tributaries and carries the sediment to a drainage basin of about 1.2 million square miles or twice the size of the state of Texas. Its course runs to the Southwest and empties in the Gulf of Mexico after crossing the now moderated falls of St. Anthony and spending several years in the ‘lower’, or delta, section.
Fed by more than 300 tributaries, the Mississippi River and its enormous drainage basin, include many swamps and marshes, contributing to the health and fertility of the region. Known to be the fourth most productive watershed in the world, the Mississippi River gathers all the waters from the Midwestern and Southern regions of the US and carries them to the ocean. Along its route, the rivers passes along some large cities like Minneapolis, Memphis, St. Louis and New Orleans, bustling commercial and busy shipping activities, oil and natural gas drills, agricultural production, and fishing activities.
Flowing southward and crossing many states, the Mississippi finally ends its journey in the Gulf of Mexico, the place where its waters are absorbed, and the sediment released. The continental shelf is located more than 80 miles away from Florida Keys, spreading between the coasts of Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, as it fades away into the oceanic depth. The flow speed also decreases considerably before reaching the gulf, allowing for all substances relating to the river’s activity to be released into the waters.
The Gulf of Mexico hosts hundreds of species of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, providing vast amounts of food for both humans and other creatures, not only native but also introduced species in the environment. The vast plain of sediment released throughout the Mississippi River also serves to grow vegetation, as the coasts are known for their marshy and swampy conditions, but also for its rich assortment of trees and plants, nourished by the fresh water of the river.
The wealth of plants, fishes and shellfish, nutrient-filled sediment, and a combination of freshwater and oceanic waters, the Gulf of Mexico is a place of great ecological abundance, and the place to which the Mississippi River flows. The symbiotic relationship between the river and the gulf is studied by specialized researchers in order to better comprehend the relationship between both and its effects in the ecosystem.
Gulf of Mexico Water Quality
The Gulf of Mexico is a crucial marine ecosystem and part of the Mexican Caribbean, and in recent years, more research has been conducted in order to evaluate the situation of its waters. Several heavy metals, both those naturally present in the oceanic environment and those released by human activity, have been found in its waters, and special measures have been taken to protect the protected areas and endangered species, as well as providing relevant information on water quality.
The EPA, or the Environmental Protection Agency, has been working on carrying out a thorough study of the effects of Mississippi River contribution in order to determine the best strategies for its conservation. Also, many initiatives have been taken by environmental agencies in order to protect this vital waterway and become involved in permanent strategies for restoration.
In 2019 the New Mississippi River Bridge emerged as the new replacement for an old bridge crossing between St. Louis and Illinois, opening up a new option for river routes and increasing the efficiency of transport. This bridges in particular reinstated the territory’s connection with the historical trading route known as the Mississippi River Trail, which stretches over two thousands miles, leading to points in many states, preserving and calibrating the area’s cultural and ecological resources.
Effects of Mississippi River Pollution
The presence of synthetic substances in the waters of the Mississippi has been a concern for water quality specialists and the governments of the states, as there is evidence of the presence of chemicals in agricultural areas, chemical producers, and oil deposits. Though chemical and pharmaceutical companies have been frequently blamed, runoff of fertilizers and pesticides from household backyards and yards is considered to be the main reason for the presence of pollutants in the waters.
These toxins, along with the sediment and other nutrients released by the river, together form the ‘dead zone’ in the northern area of the Gulf of Mexico. The continuous flushing of agricultural sediment and nutrient-rich runoff by the Mississippi has caused a drastic increase in the levels of Phosphorus, Nitrogen and other elements, leading to a decrease of oxygenated area and consequently, a decrease in aquatic species. The dead zone, as it is known, is a circular area of 2,700 miles in the gulf, which has been declared of protective state and requires the establishment of functional strategies to reduce the state of contamination, in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Mississippi River Restoration Programs
Maintaining and cleaning up the rivers is a complex process, but with enough popular support, there is a certain potential to restore the ruined and pollution-stricken shores of the Mississippi. There are many initiatives of grass root organization for the conservation of the wetlands, marshs and basins, with the intention of returning them to their old magnificence.
The Wetlands Restoration Project, initiated by the Nature Conservancy, brings together farmers, banks and other institutions to support businesses and restore their backyards and yards into wetland areas which provide habitat to an assortment of creatures. Additionally, there are other projects that allow citizens to purchase and plant trees and plants in the river banks to prevent soil erosion and to restore natural habitats.
The Army Corps of Engineers, alongside metropolitans such as St. Louis, are also part of these recovery initiatives, investing in the cleanup of key points and other areas like the river’s edges in order to try and return it to its original state. There is also the ‘Hands Across the Waters’ program, a project which seeks to involve citizens, businesses and organizations in the work of cleanup and recovery of the river’s natural environment.
The Benefits of Mississippi River Restoration
The amount of restoration projects underway for the Mississippi River, or those in planning, seek to benefit both the environment and the communities surrounding the lake. These projects range from the restoration offish ihabitat, wetland planting, riverbank planting, water quality improvement, and much more. They seek to bring an improvement in the overall well-being of the area, bringing back the native wildlife, improving fishing areas and recreational uses, and supplying valuable resources to local communities.
The catchment of the Mississippi is so immense that the river can potentially provide abundance of clean water, education and occupational opportunities, and bring forth the revival of local economy. At the same time, there is a renewed interest on the river’s ecological contribution and its capacity to sustain ecosystems. Through restoration projects, the Mississippi River can be reintroduced into the heart of many local communities so that its value to the nation may be strengthened to vital levels.
Risk Management of Mississippi’s Waters
When dealing with a mighty and complex organism such as the Mississippi River, it is necessary to undertake the steps to make sure its resources can be used safely and responsibly. This is where risk management comes into play, as it seeks to diminish the long-term risk of any potential activity, while still preserving the environment. This means that risk management is present in ongoing activities to improve the water quality and health of the system, by taking into account the potential risks associated with the introduction of chemicals and other substances, and by controlling their effects on the ecosystem.
Recently, this has become a priority for the US government and the EPA, in order to promote the safe and responsible use of the Mississippi’s resources and to promote sustainable practices that help set the stage for the river’s long-term protection and success. The US Army Corps of Engineers, in particular, has been a great supporter of this effort, focusing on researching and innovating in order to reduce the risk of environmental pollution and to ensure that the waters of the mighty Mississippi remain as healthy and safe for generations to come.
Long-Term Strategies for Mississippi River Conservation
Finally, the protection and conservation of the Mississippi River is now a major priority for research and preservation activities of governments, corporations, and conservationists. There is a focused effort towards establishing effective strategies that preserve the vast ecosystems surrounding the Mississippi, while still allowing the resources of the river to be accessed responsibly and safely. This includes initiatives such as the Mississippi River Sustainable Water Management Project and the National Wildlife Federation’s Clean Mississippi River Campaign, which have been working on the restoration of sensitive habitats and wildlife sanctuaries, while at the same time providing resources to local communities.
In addition, there are also other strategies such as the ‘Living River Council’ working towards the reduction of the environmental risk and sustainable development in the area. The program relies on the participation of public and private partners, to ensure that the best protection strategies can be applied for the protection of the Mississippi River, promoting conservation and adaptation practices that respect the environment and take into account the needs of future generations.
Conclusion
It is now evident that the Mississippi River is indeed flowing into the impressive Gulf of Mexico, feeding the waters of the United States and providing resources to hundreds of communities alongside its banks. But still, the amount of resources this river can yield and the effects of human activity on its environment need to be monitored and regulated by governments, while citizens and companies are also taking their part in the recovery of this vital and extensive system. This is certainly an extensive, complex and long-term effort, but with enough dedication, resources and research, the Mississippi River may become the source of life, prosperity and health it once was, and will continue to be for centuries to come.
