The mouth of the Mississippi River is where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. Also referred to as its delta, it is spread across several low-lying parishes including Plaquemines and Terrebonne Parish. The Mississippi Delta is a major wetland area, home to a rich ecology, with significant populations of migratory and wetland birds, threatened and endangered species, and healthy populations of fish and other aquatic life. It is a place of great historical importance and an area of intense geological interest, since it is literally being built up from the mud and sand deposit of the river.
The Mississippi Delta’s coastline is constantly shifting and changing due to the strong and unpredictable currents of the river. At its widest point, it stretches for about 110 miles, and its total linear length is over 250 miles. This changeability can be attributed to the river’s extreme flow points, and the many distributaries that form part of the Delta along its course. As a result, the rich, nutrient-laden sediment of the Delta is continually being deposited along its shores and banks.
The Mississippi Delta is considered to be the world’s third-largest river delta, and is a vital asset to the natural and economic health of both the region and the country. It serves a number of important functions; providing navigation and transportation access to over two million people, a vibrant and important source of off-shore and inland fisheries, a rich and productive coastal ecosystem, and an important source of energy and economic opportunity.
Douglas Rader, chief scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund, explains that the Mississippi Delta is a unique and complex ecosystem and that its health deserves special attention. “It’s home to a huge number of migratory and wetland birds, threatened and endangered species, fish, and other aquatic life. It also plays an invaluable role in the nation’s energy and economic infrastructure because of its accessible navigation and transportation access.”
Dr. Carl Johnson, biologist with University of Louisiana, advises that one must remember the delicate balance between rising sea levels and the coastal soils that provide the context for the Delta’s ecologic health. “We must pay attention to how this balance is affected; how sea levels may be rising faster than the soils can deposit. We also need to be careful that Coast Guard dredging operations don’t further shorten the shoreline.”
However, the Delta has been a victim of human activities which are taking a toll on its vibrancy and health. Oil exploration, dredging, shipping, urbanization and agricultural runoff has resulted in soil subsidence and saltwater intrusion into fragile wetlands, threatening wildlife and fisheries. In addition, the diversion of water from the Delta has weakened the natural flow.
The future of the Delta lies in the careful management of its environment and its resources. Programs such as wetland restoration and soil preservation will help preserve and sustain it for generations to come. Education, conservation and public engagement are needed to ensure that the Delta continues to be a place of wonder, beauty and bounty.
Pollution
The Mississippi Delta is also at risk of pollution from a variety of sources including oil drilling and recreational activities. Oil drilling involves the use of large machines to drill deep into the Earth to look for oil and gas. Unfortunately, this process can cause a wide range of damage to the environment. The equipment used to drill the wells can be dangerous to nearby wildlife, and oil spills can contaminate local waterways and industries. Additionally, recreational activities such as boating, hunting, and fishing can also risk polluting the environment, as garbage and chemicals from these activities can make their way into the Delta.
In an attempt to reduce the pollution levels in the Mississippi Delta, there have been several initiatives taken up by government agencies, industry, and community groups. The Mississippi Clean Air Alliance, for instance, is an organization that works to reduce air pollution levels associated with oil industry activities in the Delta. In addition, there are also several organizations in the area dedicated to restoring wetlands and wetlands habitats.
The pollution in the Mississippi Delta has serious consequences. It has been identified as the source of approximately one-third of all of the polluted water in the United States. This can affect the life of the fishes and other aquatic species, as well as water quality and safety for people living in the region. In addition, soil erosion and subsidence caused by pollution can make coastal lands more vulnerable to climate change impacts, such as sea-level rise, storm surge, and flooding.
Conservation Efforts
Conservation efforts have been taking place since the 1990s to protect the Mississippi Delta from the degradation resulting from human activities. Organizations such as Delta Wildlife have worked to protect and restore the habitats of the region, including wetlands and the surrounding uplands. Many federal, state, and local government programs have aimed to reduce the pollution in the Delta.
The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Act (NCWCA) provides financial resources for wetland conservation projects along the coast of the United States. The program provides grants for states and tribal governments to encourage the conservation and restoration of wetland ecosystems. The federal government has also established a Coastal Marine Protection Program in the area to protect coastal fish and other marine life affected by oil spills and other pollutants.
In addition, the EPA has put in place various pollution control and water quality standards to protect the environment, including the Mississippi River Basin. These regulations are designed to reduce the various pollutants entering the water body, and promote the protection of fish and other aquatic species.
The conservation efforts that are underway are important to ensure that the Delta remains healthy and productive and that the area is able to withstand the impacts of human activities. It is essential that the conservation of the Delta is supported so that it can continue to provide the many benefits that it does.
Adaptation Strategies to Rising Sea Levels
Climate change, and the rising sea levels that have resulted from it, has presented a challenge to the Mississippi Delta. Rising sea levels have led to an increase in saltwater intrusion, which threatens the health of wetlands and their abundance of wildlife. The USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) has developed a range of strategies to help the area adapt to rising sea levels. These strategies include restoring wetlands and creating coastal defense systems that utilize levees and shoreline stabilization.
The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) has been especially successful in helping to rehabilitate the wetlands in the region. The program, funded by the US Department of Agriculture, has allowed landowners to protect and restore wetland areas while receiving benefits in return. This program helps to reduce the rate of wetland loss in the area and provides important wildlife habitats.
Additionally, the USACE has also been working to construct shoreline stabilization projects and living shoreline projects which seek to protect wetlands from erosion. These projects involve the use of protective structures such as sand dunes and barrier islands, as well as the planting of plants that are native to the region. These adaptation strategies are important for the protection of the Delta from the impacts of sea-level rise.
Economic Impacts
The Mississippi Delta has also been impacted economically by its rapid population growth and the numerous industries that have taken advantage of the region. The Delta has become an important center for oil production and refining, and for the shrimping and fishing industries. The coastal tourism sector has also become an important economic driver in the region.
A healthy Mississippi Delta is essential for the ongoing health of these industries. In order to maintain a healthy environment, the industries need to make sure they are adhering to environmental regulations, are taking measures to reduce emissions, and are committed to restoring the wetlands and the habitats that are being impacted by their activities.
In addition, the Delta’s economic health is also dependent on the preservation of its cultural heritage. The area’s strong sense of identity and its unique traditions are important for its economy and its overall sustainability. Therefore, it is essential that the region’s culture and heritage are protected and preserved as part of the Delta’s future.
The Mississippi Delta is an irreplaceable environmental asset. It is essential that it is protected and preserved so that is can continue to provide the many benefits it does to the environment, the economy, and to the people of the region.
