Background
The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in the United States and serves as a major economic and cultural resource for the nation. It originates in Lake Itasca in Minnesota and flows through 10 US states before terminating at the Gulf of Mexico. The river is known for being a major source of grain, timber, and commercial goods and its wealth of natural resources.
The Mississippi River is a well-known historical feature of the continent, providing transportation, sustenance, and cultural identity to the people of the United States. Indigenous people used the waters to sustain life, hunt, and trade goods via the river. Colonists and settlers used the river to move material goods, give access to prospects in the West, and connect settlements. Its strategic value in the Civil War is well-known and is remembered in several states through monuments and historical societies.
Geography
The Mississippi River starts in Lake Itasca, in northern Minnesota. It then flows southwest, through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, before turning southward and entering Arkansas. The river continues to travel southward and enters Tennessee, then turns south-eastward and flows into Mississippi. The river then hits Louisiana and turns south-west, flowing into its final destination, the Gulf of Mexico.
The Mississippi River is approximately 3.730 kilometers (2,320 miles) long, making it the second largest river in the US. The total drainage area of the Mississippi is approximately 1.245 million mi2 (3.23 million km2). The river carries with it an immense volume of water each year and has significantly shaped the landscape over millions of years.
Importance
The Mississippi River has historically been a vital lifeline for the people of the United States. It is a major economic force in the Midwest, providing jobs via fisheries, shipping companies, timber, and agricultural. It also serves as a major transportation network, with its closest tributaries, the Ohio and Missouri Rivers, stretching out across 11 states in the Midwest and offering easy access to cities such as Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Chicago.
The Great Flood of 1993, which affected nine states and set a record for stream-flow volumes on the lower Mississippi River, highlighted the importance of modernizing river management with flood-control systems. Dams, levees, and reservoirs help to manage and protect the river for agricultural, drinking, and recreational purposes.
Ecology
The Mississippi River is home to a variety of wildlife, from alligators and cottonmouths to 5 species of endangered whales, sturgeons, mussels, and turtles. The river contains over 230 species of fish, of which 17 are endangered or threatened.
The Mississippi Delta, located at the lower end of the river, is known for its rich biodiversity. This delta, formed where the river meets the Gulf of Mexico, is home to millions of birds and a host of other animal species. The delta is a valuable habitat and a major stop on the American Birding Trail.
Environmental Issues
The river has suffered from decades of pollution and is a victim of mismanagement. The polluted farm runoff, fertilizer, sewage, industrial effluent, and pollutants from agricultural and urban runoff have caused significant agricultural and water quality problems. The nutrients and pollutants present in the river impact the river in several ways, from altering its natural range of plants and animals to eutrophication.
Economic Implications
The Mississippi River has been and continues to be an important source of economic vitality for the US. Almost 500 million tons of material goods from the 10 states traverse the river each year, which is responsible for billions of dollars of revenue. Additionally, thousands of jobs are tied to the activities along the banks and the shipping industry on the Mississippi.
Cultural Significance
The Mississippi River serves more than just economic and ecological functions, it is also a source of culture and identity for the people of the US. The phrase “mighty Mississippi” is synonymous with the freedom and hope that it has given to so many over the course of its history. Music and “river songs” have been written about it, as well as books, poems, and stories.
From its source in Minnesota to its destination in the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River has had a tremendous impact in the cultural and economic life of the US. It is both revered and feared for the power it can unleash.
Urbanization
In recent years, the human population along the Mississippi River has grown exponentially. This growth, combined with an increase in infrastructure and tourism, has changed the face of the river in many regions. As more cities spring up, the pollution and demands on the waterway are putting particular strain on the river, presenting a new set of challenges for managing it in the future.
The cities along the river have the potential to capitalize on the waterway’s resources and amenities. Many urban centers, such as Baton Rouge, New Orleans, St. Louis, and Memphis, are drawing on the attractions and potential of the river as a tourist destination.
Transportation
The Mississippi River serves as an important transportation route for both people and goods. Thousands of barges traverse the river each day, carrying stone, cement, grain, coal, timber, and other goods. This freights provides the economic lifeblood for the river communities and has contributed to the settlement and growth of the region.
With lock and dam systems along the length of the river, boats can travel uninterrupted from Minneapolis to the Gulf of Mexico. This is an attractive transportation option for freight companies, since it is a low-cost alternative to highways and railway systems.
Climate Change
Cliamte change has had an important influence on the Mississippi River, with rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns presenting new challenges for the people of the region. The rise in water temperatures alters the food web in the river, endangering fish populations, while the floods and droughts that can accompany these changes can ravage the communities near the river. As the climate of the region continues to warm, the people of the Mississippi Valley must be prepared to address the challenges of adaptation and stewardship faced along the river.
Recreational Uses
The Mississippi River also serves as a recreational destination for fishermen, boaters, and naturalists. Large sections of the river have been set aside as recreational greenways and parks, providing hiking trails and camping sites, as well as designated fishing sections.
The river has become a tourist attraction in its own right, drawing anglers and boaters from around the country who are drawn to its history, magnitude, and raw beauty. Additionally, its central location in the US allows for convenient access for those who wish to experience the river’s allure.
Conservation Measures
The health of the Mississippi River is a matter of tremendous importance and conservationists are advocating numerous measures to help protect the waterway. From state legislation to national conservation regulations, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the amount of pollution entering the river and to protect its vibrant wildlife.
The states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi have all implemented conservation measures, such as restoring native habitats, limiting the amount of agricultural chemicals used, and enforcing stricter regulations on industry in order to preserve the river.
Future of the River
The future of the Mississippi River depends on the wise management of its resources and the commitment of the people of the Mississippi Valley to keep its health in mind. The river has powered the progress of the US for centuries, and with careful stewardship, it will continue to do so for centuries to come.
