What Percent of the Mississippi River is Controlled?
The Mississippi River is one of the most important rivers in North America. It stretches for a total of 2,320 miles, making it one of the greatest and longest rivers in the world. The Mississippi also serves as the main drainage artery of the continent, draining into the Gulf of Mexico, and it has been an important trade conduit since before the colonization of the Americas.
These factors, combined with its incredible length, make the Mississippi one of the most heavily industrialized and regulated rivers in the world. And while some view this level of control as a negative, it is actually quite beneficial, with most of the regulations put in place to protect the river’s ecology, habitat, and water quality.
So, how much of the Mississippi River is actually regulated? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the total estimated regulated length of the Mississippi River is 2,074 miles, making up 88.7 percent of its total suspended length. This number increases slightly when considering tributaries and geographically regulated areas, of which there are 293 along the river’s total length.
A major factor driving this level of regulation is the sheer number of dams located on the river. Over 800 river systems and tributaries located along the Mississippi’s total length are controlled by a total of 45 dams, with the majority of these being primarily used for flood control and navigation maintenance.
Aside from navigation, the river is also regulated to protect habitats, wildlife species and other natural resources. Currently, 10 federally-protected imperiled species of fish, mammals and invertebrates are living in or near the Mississippi waters and are protected by regulations.
These regulations come with a hefty price tag. In the United States alone, the Mississippi River system receives approximately 5 billion dollars in federal funding each year, with the majority of this money going towards the construction of new dams, maintenance and upgrading of existing structures, and research efforts.
Environmental Impact of Regulation
The level of regulation of the Mississippi River has both positive and negative effects on the environment. On the one hand, the regulation of the river ensures the health of the ecosystem, protects endangered species, and prevents flooding. In addition, the regulation and maintenance of the river also serves to protect local water sources from pollutants and chemicals.
On the other hand, the regulation of the river is not without its problems. The dams trap sediments, reducing their ability to act as natural filters for native species, and certain types of chemical pollutants remain in the water for a lot longer than they would were it not for the dams.
Furthermore, the dams reduce the species’ ability to access their former spawning and feeding grounds, leading to a significant drop in the populations of certain fish species such as the paddlefish and the American eel. They also alter the natural flow, temperature and nutrient levels of the water, which can have a serious impact on the ecology of the river.
Economic Impact of Regulation
The regulation of the Mississippi River isn’t just limited to environmental issues. It also plays a major role in the state’s economy; from shipping and tourism to energy generation and trade.
The regulation of the river has allowed for the increased efficiency of navigation, with over 100 million tons of cargo being moved down the river every year. This provides a much-needed boost to the contributions of the transportation sector to the economy, with a total of over 4.4 billion dollars added to the state’s economy every year.
In addition, the regulations have also preserved the beauty and scenic views of the river, allowing for increased tourism and recreation activities. These activities serve as an important source of income for many businesses, generating over 10 billion dollars in revenue each year.
Political Aspects of Regulation
The regulation of the Mississippi River is not just limited to the economic and environmental aspects. It is also a highly political endeavor, with control and management falling under the auspices of a variety of different entities.
Currently, the most important authority for the River is the Mississippi River Commission, a federal agency responsible for ensuring that the River is operated and maintained in accordance with federal laws. The commission is comprised of nine members, among them the commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the official responsible for maintaining and overseeing safety in the river.
The commission works with a variety of stakeholders including state and local governments, conservation groups, and industry representatives to ensure the health and protection of the River. They also work alongside private companies and research organizations to design and implement technical solutions.
Future Challenges and Solutions
The Mississippi River faces a variety of challenges in the years to come, many of them related to its regulation. One of the most pressing issues is the potential of a major water shortage in the not-too-distant future. The River is also facing a variety of environmental issues, from algal blooms to decreased water quality, all of which require careful mitigation and regulation.
The solution to these problems lies in a combination of better management and better infrastructure. The continued regulation and maintenance of the River will be the key to ensuring its health in the future. The challenge, then, is to find the balance between regulation and economic activity, creating a system of rules and regulations that enable economic growth while also protecting the environment.
Natural Resources Regulation
The regulation of the Mississippi River also involves the protection of a variety of natural resources found along its shores. Regulations are in place to ensure that these resources are sustainably managed and that the ecology of the River is maintained.
Overall, the regulation of the Mississippi River includes an array of environmental, political and economic factors. It is important that these regulations are properly enforced in order to ensure the health and safety of the River and its inhabitants.
Local and National Programs
The regulation of the Mississippi River is both a local and a national effort. A variety of local and national programs exist to ensure the health of the River, such as the Mississippi River Commission, the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, and other regional initiatives.
These programs play an important role in the River’s preservation, promoting sustainable and responsible management of the environment. Furthermore, they also help to promote public involvement in the regulation of the River, creating a sense of ownership among the people who live and work in the region.
River View Citizens of the Watershed
The citizens of the Mississippi River’s watershed have a key role to play in the regulation and management of the river. Environmental education, public involvement, and an awareness of the importance of the River are all important components of this.
Citizen involvement can range from simply being aware of the River’s importance to taking direct action to protect it. This includes assessment of the environmental effect of land-use, reporting pollution, and participating in local and state initiatives and programs.
Organizations such as the River View Citizens of the Watershed promote public engagement and education, enabling citizens to play an active role in the regulation and management of the River. By participating in these and other initiatives, citizens can ensure the health of the Mississippi River and its effects on the community and the region.
Community Participation
In order for the regulation and management of the River to be effective, a strong community and citizen involvement is necessary. This involvement can take many forms, from public education and awareness to direct involvement in management processes. Citizen input has been used to great effect in the past, with public sentiment playing a major role in determining the fate of the River.
Various public initiatives have been implemented to encourage citizen participation, such as the Mississippi River Mapping project. This project provides an online platform for mapping the resources of the River, as well as public engagement opportunities.
Community-based approaches such as these are essential for ensuring the health of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Community participation is key to ensuring that the regulation and management of the River remains effective and that the health of the environment is preserved.
Conclusion
The regulation of the Mississippi River is a complex undertaking, one that requires both local and national action. However, with the right approaches, the River can be successfully regulated and managed, ensuring the long-term health and safety of the environment and its inhabitants. Ultimately, it is up to every citizen to ensure that the Mississippi River remains healthy and well-regulated for many years to come.
