The mighty Mississippi River, the second longest in the U.S., runs through ten states in the Midwest and Southeast. These states – Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, were all formed by the Mississippi in different ways. The power of the mighty Mississippi has aided in the formation of the geography, ecology, and culture of these ten states, and will continue to do so for many years to come.
The length of the Mississippi River from the northernmost point at Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico is 3,794 kilometers (2,364 miles). Its basin (the area drained by the river) covers some 2,982,541 square miles, making it the largest watershed in North America. Flooding is an unavoidable fact of life along the Mississippi, but it also brings water needed for cultivating crops and for recreation. In some years, flooding devastates; in other years, it is a blessing.
The Mississippi River is the spiritual source of life for the people who live in the states it runs through. Its physical power is hard to ignore, as it wraps its way through cities, farmlands, and natural areas, connecting and shaping communities. It provides power to industrial centers, shipping ports, and the grounds where agricultures crops are grown. It brings a life-giving form of nourishment to almost 3 million people who call the ten states home.
The Mississippi River is very important to Native American tribes and their communities, enabling them to maintain a lifestyle based on their traditional culture and practices. The river was an important transportation system for the Native Americans traveling through their land, and their stories of fishing, camping and hunting passed down from generation to generation have become an integral part of the states along the Mississippi.
The river has a myriad of species of fish, mammals, birds and other species of fauna that for centuries has served as sustenance for Indigenous cultures, and integral part of their culture, diet, and economy. Fishing industry in the states of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana bring in a substantial trickle of money to their local economies.
The Mississippi is a source of fertility and sustenance, saving lives during drought seasons and connecting tens of millions of people who live along its borders. It has provided inspiration to writers, poets, and songwriters. Mark Twain made the Mississippi and its people famous in his book, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He wrote, “It still hasn’t been conquered. It had looked backward into history more than a thousand years, and seen the cross and the sword, the diversions of kings, the revolutions of both worlds, but it was still there.”
Floods, though destructive, have a positive side as well. For centuries, agricultural production along the river’s length was made possible by annual floods that relaxed alluvial soils, deposited fertile sediment, and naturally recharged underground water supplies. The nutrient-rich sediment has also been replenished through out-and-out manmade engineering, such as the locks and dams that were built in the 1800s to permit navigation of the river.
Navigation of the Mississippi along its entire length began with steamboat movement in the late 1700s and continues today due to the network of navigable navigation and navigation aids. These navigation aids provide safe navigation from Minneapolis all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico, as well as Inland Waterways that connect the Mississippi River with Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee, and large tributaries such as the Ohio and Red rivers.
Today the locks and dams on the Mississippi are industrialized versions of the ancient water systems. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have created deep channels through and around the Lower Mississippi Rivers and its tributaries, and added levees, jetties, and locks, thereby linking the entire Mississippi River system to the deep river ports of the world. This has allowed cargo companies to navigate and float large barges throughout the length of the Mississippi.
Environmental Issues
The Mississippi River is essentially an open drain and a major source of pollution to both states and federal areas. The pollution of the river is mainly caused by industrial waste, run-off from landfills, and agricultural chemicals leaching into the river. As a result, fish and wildlife species that use the river to nourish themselves are threatened. It has become a testing ground for the health of our aquatic ecosystems, and a pop-up for the State of the Environment of the Mississippi watershed.
The biggest environmental issue facing the Mississippi River is the presence of chemicals, as pesticides, fertilizers, and other pollutants make their way into the water. Numerous studies have been done to measure the effects of these chemicals and their repercussions on the environment. The EPA has gone to great lengths to study the river and implement regulations to reduce the amount of pollution. There are restrictions in the amount of agriculture chemicals allowed, and factories must adhere to certain limits in order to reduce pollution.
The Mississippi River’s pollution is not limited to just commercial development and farming. Every year, millions of people use the river for recreation, and every year they’re leaving behind bacteria, viruses, and toxic chemicals that can cause serious illnesses. Waste from human sewage treatment can also enter the river due to an aging infrastructure. Even though some of the waste is treated and undergoes systems of cleaning, bacteria levels in some areas remain high, creating dangers to human health.
Conservation Efforts
More recently the Mississippi River has served as a canvas for conservation efforts. Various organizations have undertaken projects aimed at protecting the river and its habitats from continued contamination and destruction. Some of these organizations include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and many other state and federal agencies.
Organizations focused on conserving the Mississippi are also funded by major corporations, volunteers, and citizens. Events like the Mississippi River Marathon, which has been hosted for the past 12 years, allow for the promotion of conservation by increasing public awareness about the importance of the Mississippi River valley. Additionally, these organizations have restored natural habitats through replanting of trees and shrubs, eco-commerce, and other conservation methods.
The Mississippi River holds a great deal of cultural and artistic significance, as it has been an integral part of literature, art, music, and folklore. Its waters often inspire, reminding us of the beauty and power of nature, the significance of human history, and the importance of conservation. The power and significance of the Mississippi River are undeniable, and its influence will continue to be strongly felt in the states it runs through.
Population and Economy
The population living along the entire Mississippi River is estimated to be close to 17 million people, of which around 4 million are located in the ten states it flows through. As the river flows along, it passes through important cities such as St.Louis, Memphis, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Cities and towns along the river are the main source of population for the ten states.
The cities and towns along the Mississippi have benefited from the river economically, in industries such as agriculture, shipping and transport, oil and gas, tourism, fishing, manufacturing, and forestry. Tourism is a major economic resource along the river, as people come to see the history and culture of the cities, experience the beauty and power of the Mississippi, and take part in recreational activities.
The river is also a major source of hydropower, providing energy to many of the cities along the river. Hydropower is an important factor for creating sustainable energy sources and securing reliable electricity. Numerous dams and power plants have been built along the Mississippi, utilizing the power of the water to generate electricity.
Climate Impact
Climate change is a looming threat to the Mississippi River and the ten states it flows through. The rise in temperatures is affecting the water levels in the river and leading to increased frequency of flooding, more severe storms and droughts, and increases in water-runoff. Warmer temperatures are also making the water more susceptible to carrying diseases.
The changing climate has had a direct impact on the environment along the Mississippi. For instance, warmer temperatures are causing species of flora and fauna to migrate and affect the river’s ecosystem, while new pests and diseases are appearing. The changing environment is also impacting the water levels, making the river unpredictable and causing floods, which can be devastating for those living in the region.
The effects of climate change on the river will have a major impact on the people and businesses located in the ten states that the Mississippi River runs through. Businesses industries such as agriculture, shipping and transport, oil and gas, and fishing, which are all dependent on the river, are particularly at risk. In order to protect them, states and communities must increase their focus on implementing climate adaptation strategies.
