Mississippi River State
The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in the United States and one of the most important waterways in the world. Spanning across the Midwest region of the United States, it is an integral part of the country’s rich history, culture and ecology.
The river flows through ten US states, beginning in Minnesota and ending in Louisiana. A few of the states the Mississippi River flows through include Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. The Mississippi can be divided into three sections: the Upper Mississippi, the Middle Mississippi and the Lower Mississippi. Each section serves a distinct purpose, from providing an important waterway for shipping to connecting numerous smaller tributaries along its path.
The importance of the Mississippi River is twofold. Economically, it serves as an important commercial waterway for shipping and transportation, with extensive barge traffic along much of its length. Many industries rely on the Mississippi’s abundant resources, such as oil, natural gas, timber, sand, gravel and port facilities. In addition, recreational activities, such as fishing and other water-related sports, make the Mississippi River a popular destination for tourists.
The Mississippi is also vitally important to the environment, providing habitats for numerous species of endangered fish, birds, amphibians and reptiles. Its vast wetland areas are home to numerous threatened and endangered species, such as the Louisiana black bear, the Pascagoula map turtle and the whooping crane. The river also serves as an attractive corridor for migrating birds and other animals, connecting larger expanses of natural habitats into a larger, contiguous area.
The river’s ecological role also plays an essential role in flood control. To protect both infrastructure and people living near the banks, extensive projects have been developed to channel the river and strategically channel breaks to reduce flooding. In recent years, numerous conservation efforts have been implemented to protect and revive the Mississippi River and its vital ecosystems.
Economic Beneficial
The economic benefits of the Mississippi River are tremendous. The river is a main portion of several major transportation and industry routes, such as the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, the South Pass and the Atchafalaya River, with ships transporting goods from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, large port cities have been developed, which act as a source of jobs and additional economic activity.
The economic activity driven by trade provides an important economic engine for the entire region, with a total economic output of $152 billion generated by industries along the Mississippi River. The construction of levees and other flood control measures has also protected towns, cities and industries from flooding, greatly reducing losses from flooding events.
In addition, many of the larger riverside cities rely on the Mississippi for their water supply, as do smaller agricultural and industrial towns. The Mississippi’s inland waterway also supports tourism and recreational activities, and a number of recreation areas have been established along its shores, providing economic activity in their own right. In addition, fishing and trapping provide an important source of income for many of the citizens along the Mississippi. Moreover, the river is an important transportation corridor, carrying approximately 10 million tons of cargo each year.
Environmental Contributions
The Mississippi River is home to an incredibly diverse range of habitats, supporting a vast array of animal species. Its wetlands and other water-based ecosystems act as a potential natural buffer, preventing floodwaters from wiping out entire towns and villages. These wetlands also provide nurseries for a number of fish and other aquatic species, boosting the natural abundance of wildlife in the area.
The Mississippi River also serves as an important spawning ground for fish. Annual migratory patterns of catfish, walleye, panfish and several other species take to its waters, providing valuable sustenance for other species, including humans. River bottoms also provide much of the nesting regions for waterfowl, such as mallard ducks, geese and blue herons.
Moreover, the river is one of the few remaining areas of large-scale agricultural production in the United States, producing nearly 20 million acres of field crops and providing 70 percent of the US corn crop. Additionally, industries have developed along the Mississippi’s banks, such as paper mills and chemical plants, providing many well-paying jobs to its citizens.
Public Attraction
The Mississippi River’s historic significance and its natural beauty have drawn many tourists to its banks. Leisure activities such as boating, fishing and camping are popular attractions, with hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors traveling to the area each year. Popular destinations along the river include New Orleans, St. Louis and Memphis, each of which provides its own unique attractions.
National parks are also located along the Mississippi’s shores, such as the Natchez Trace Parkway, preserving the natural habitats surrounding the river and providing educational opportunities for visitors. Finally, tours of the various locks and dams built along the Mississippi provide history lessons, as well as breathtaking views of the natural beauty and unique engineering of the river.
Regional Development
The Mississippi River has become an important factor in regional development, particularly in the Midwest and Southern regions. Many of the cities positioned along its banks heavily rely on the river for jobs, with many businesses and other industries taking advantage of the waterways for shipping and transportation. Thus, the Mississippi has played an important role in regional economic development.
Regional development around the river has proceeded in large part due to the Mississippi’s vital ecological functions, such as providing an important habitat for fish and birds, along with flood control and water purification. These functions provide support for numerous species, as well as protection from natural disasters. As a result, the region’s population and economy continue to grow and develop.
In addition, the Mississippi River serves a vital cultural role in the region, serving as a source of identity and offering many opportunities for recreational activities. People come to the river to relax, spend time with family and friends, and reconnect with the land around them. This in turn helps to shape the region’s unique culture and identity, making it a desirable place to live and visit.
Mississippi’s Environmental Restoration
In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to address environmental issues related to the Mississippi, particularly in terms of restoring the ecological balance of the river and its wetlands. Numerous conservation efforts, such as habitat restoration and wetland preservation, are helping to protect the river and its resources, as well as to protect local natural habitats from pollution and overdevelopment.
In addition, numerous conservation groups are actively promoting the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices along the Mississippi’s banks, such as farming practices that reduce runoff into the river. Conserving water and in turn promoting healthy aquatic ecosystems is essential, as is protecting riverside wetlands, which are vital breeding grounds for various species of birds and fish. Finally, pollutants released by irresponsible companies are being addressed, with legislation in place to limit the types and amounts of pollutants that can be released.
Community Involvement
The Mississippi River is an important asset to the local communities it passes through. Many citizens of the region are actively involved in its preservation, with organizations devoted to the river’s protection and conservation. By engaging and connecting with the local community structures and by actively supporting the organizations that are working to protect and restore the Mississippi and its vital habitats, citizens are helping to ensure a healthier future for the river.
Furthermore, local governments are actively working to preserve the region’s unique cultural heritage, while encouraging responsible economic development. In addition, educational and outreach efforts are helping to increase awareness of the challenges facing the region’s unique environment and of the necessity of their preservation.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River is an essential part of the United States’ ecological and economic landscape, as well as its cultural heritage. Spanning ten US states, its importance to regional development, environmental protection and public recreation is unquestioned. Numerous projects, from conservation to responsible economic development, are being implemented to ensure a healthy future for the Mississippi, with citizens and local governments heavily invested in this cause.
