There are a variety of waterways that typically flow from sources outside of the United States and join the Mississippi River on its path towards the Gulf of Mexico. However, there is one river that many often mistaken for being a tributary of the Mississippi yet has no connection to the said waterway aside from sharing the same territory. This river is the Missouri River, the longest tributary in North America, with a drain basin of roughly 529,000 square miles.
Despite the official location of the Missouri River entwined with that of the Mississippi, the two rivers are distinct stretches of water in their own right and do not share a consistent flow of water. Some might consider the Missouri River to be a ‘tributary’ of the Mississippi, but this is inaccurate. The Missouri River starts in the Rocky Mountains of Montana and is more than 2500 miles long, making it one of the largest water networks in the world. This river and the Mississippi are neighbours but independent of one another, for all intents and purposes.
The Missouri River is a powerful and important river in its own right, with a deep cultural and economic significance in the American Midwest. It is home to some of the most important ports and industrial developments in the U.S. such as St Louis and Omaha, along with a great number of agricultural settlements and recreational sites. The Missouri River also provides water for many towns and cities along its route and allows for the transportation of goods to communities all along its stretch. Many of these settlements may otherwise have remained inaccessible, particularly in the west and midwest.
Though the Missouri River is an independent force, it is still affected by the activity of other water systems in its vicinity and beyond. Due to the close proximity of the Mississippi, the Missouri is affected by the behaviour of the larger waterway when it comes to changes in precipitation, sediment and nutrient cycling, as well as rising sea levels in the Gulf of Mexico. While they remain distinct rivers, they remain deeply intertwined due to their geographical and geological proximity.
Agricultural Significance of Missouri River
The Missouri River is of tremendous importance to the agricultural sector. The river is the source of a large amount of the freshwater used for crop and livestock production in the middle of the United States. It provides water for much of the country’s arid regions, conserving over 3 million acres of cropland. Additionally, it provides irrigation water vital for the growth of livestock and associated products.
Not only does the Missouri serve as a critical source of agricultural production and economic development, but its overarching presence serves to unify different sections of the country more so than any other asset. The Missouri now serves as a symbol, connecting the east and the west together in a way that no communication line can. Its influence reaches far beyond its physical presence and has been woven into the very fabric of American culture. Its importance to the growth and development of the country has been deeply embedded in the minds of generations and continues to play an important role in the lives of many.
Environmental Conservation of Missouri River
The Missouri River is still under threat from human activity and climate change, but efforts are in place to protect it for future generations. Comprehensive conservation strategies are needed to protect it from the threats of damming, flooding, desertification and long term damages to its ecology. Conservation strategies must include stricter regulations on water withdrawals, improved water management strategies and better watershed and land management practices.
The Missouri River also serves as an incredibly important source of recreational activities, with people flocking from around the country to take part in adventures like fishing, kayaking, camping and sightseeing along the many tributaries along its banks. As a result, key conservation strategies are needed to protect it from the threats of overdevelopment, pollution and the general degradation of its natural beauty.
A variety of conservation bodies like the National Wildlife Federation, the Missouri River Relief, The Nature Conservancy and the Missouri River Greenway have all been developed to bring together project partners, organizations, volunteers and communities to help protect the Missouri River system. The partnership of such organizations has served to increase the protection of the Missouri River and its tributaries, safeguarding this vital part of American culture and history for future generations.
Economic Significance of Missouri River
The economic impression of the Missouri River is huge and incomparable across the United States. Its watershed alone produces over 300 million tons of commodities every year. Its importance stretches into eight states and serves to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in industry and agriculture, providing livelihoods for millions of people within its range. It is estimated that its value exceeds 3 trillion dollars, with many communities basing their entire economy off the activity along the river.
It is clear that the influence of the Missouri River extends far beyond its hydrological properties and is deeply engrained into the cultural and economic life of many Americans. It is so much more than just another river flowing from the north-west towards the south-east. It is a unifying presence and a vital part of American history, deeply embedded into the psyche of generations of citizens, and it is crucial that we do all that we can to protect it for years to come.
Impact of Human Activity on Missouri River
Human activity is one of the greatest threats to the integrity of the Missouri River. Cities have been developed along the banks of the river and major infrastructure projects are continually being carried out to support their increasing commercial, transportation and recreational needs. Much of this activity causes damage to the habitats of wild plants and animals along its banks, while simultaneously polluting the river’s environment.
The construction of dams also continues to have an adverse effect on the Missouri’s water flow. Along its path, 15 large dams have been constructed with varying degrees of success. These stop the natural cycle of the river, trapping sediment while forcing it to flow backwards blocks its natural cycle. The removal of beavers, the damming of tributaries and the constant dredging of the bottom and banks are all activities which have severely damaged the Missouri.
The building of levees also has an effect on the Missouri River, as it affects the way in which the river floods and recedes. The lack of regular flooding in large sections of the Missouri River has caused an increase in land erosion along its banks. Human activity has also caused the river itself to shift and flood in different locations, threatening local communities and forcing many of them to relocate further inland or further away from the river.
Climate Change on Missouri River
The Missouri River is also at risk due to the increasing impacts of climate change. The consistent warming of the Earth’s climate is causing changes in the precipitation, flow and sedimentation of the Missouri River, threatening the livelihoods of those located in its path. Hotter temperatures, more extreme weather events, changes in river flows and melting glaciers are just some of the factors affecting the Missouri.
The increasing intensity and severity of weather events is wreaking havoc on the Missouri River. The river is no stranger to droughts, floods, fires and more, but the frequency and intensity of these phenomena is growing. The frequency of large floods on the main stem and tributaries, for instance, has increased over the years, resulting in extensive damages to communities and ecosystems located along the river.
The Missouri River is also facing the threats posed by sea-level rise in the Gulf of Mexico. Sea-level rise is causing shifts in the river’s natural hydrology and sediment properties, threatening the integrity of its wetlands, riparian zones and habitats. As temperatures rise and sea-levels continue to climb, the Missouri will become increasingly susceptible to the dangers of extreme weather events, flooding and salination.
Habitat Reduction of Missouri River
Aside from the commercial, human and environmental influences on the Missouri River, its ecosystem is facing tremendous pressure from the damaging effects of habitat reduction. With the increase in cities and infrastructure along its banks, many of the habitats of species native to the Missouri River area have been lost or significantly altered. The river was once home to hundreds of species of fish, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects, but the vast majority of these are now facing the threat of extinction.
The decrease in available habitat is reducing the opportunity for species to find food, secure shelter and reproduce, greatly reducing the chances of their long term survival. Climate change, habitat degradation and human influences are driving many species out of the Missouri River’s natural environment, damaging its delicate balance in the process.
To protect the Missouri River’s fragile yet vital environment, a number of steps must be taken. Regulation of human activity, limiting the negative effects of climate change and the active protection and conservation of habitats are all essential elements of a successful conservation strategy. The use of nurseries to breed rare species, increasing the presence of enforcement authorities to protect lake and river beds and encouraging better public knowledge are all strategies that can be employed to protect the river’s unique ecosystem.
