In the great waterway of America, the Mississippi River, an unusual phenomenon has been occurring since 2019; its water level has been alarmingly low. This has not been seen in more than 160 years, when the river was at its shallowest in the 1840’s. The Mississippi is the second-longest river in the United States and is divided into two main branches. The entire river runs 2,348 miles, connecting 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. It is an essential lifeline that runs through the heart of our country, providing transportation and commerce, therefore pooling resources and aiding efficient regional trade.
The water level of the Mississippi River has been so low due to prolonged droughts, evaporation and river overdrafts according to the USDA. Estimates show drought surface water supply losses can be upwards of two to four cubic feet per second between December and April. Lack of precipitation resulting in lower inflow from tributaries is a key factor in its diminishing water level, with water storage regions experiencing dramatic depletions of up to 20%.
The U.S. Geological Survey notes that since its deepest nadir in 1840, the water level of the Mississippi River has been gradually increasing. Not all experts agree on the exact cause of its ebb, but the extreme decrease in water is a great source of concern for scientists. Basin states such as Arkansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri and Wisconsin are the most heavily affected. All five states are requiring localized water transfers as well as amendments to regional agreements because of this abnormality.
The Mississippi watershed region is being drastically affected too, with increasingly long-term droughts, population growth, and an ever increasing demand for robust transportation systems. Each of these issues requires a unique, tailored solution that must be addressed with the utmost urgency. All the while, deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices are making the existing water crisis even worse.
Considering that the Mississippi river has these five states relying on it, their unified response and adaptation to the situation is crucial. A comprehensive plan of action, developed at the semi-annual meetings and collaborations of the Inter-State Commission of the Mississippi River, has been devised to ensure that the states reliant on the Mississippi River are ready to respond and adjust when necessary. Through fixing levees and earthen embankments, improving water navigation and navigation channels, sedimentation management, and reinforced drainage structures, the Commission hopes to not only mitigate the existing water shortages, but also prepare the region for any future water crises.
Social Impact of Low Water Levels on The Mississippi River Basin
The repercussions of a lowered water supply due to drought not only affect the environment and local businesses, but the people of the impacted communities as well. Through their use of the Mississippi River for agricultural, residential, and recreational purposes, these individuals have suddenly been cut off from their primary source of sustenance and leisure. Local farmers, who have come to count on the river for irrigation, have had to resort to alternative methods, such as artificial rains, deep-well wells and desalination plants.
Businessmen and tourists have been deprived of a dependable waterway system, as the low water levels often make the usual routes inaccessible. Small, local businesses that rely on the river for income have all been severely affected, some to the point of bankruptcy. All of the residents, businesses, and ecosystems of the impacted states are calling on their respective governments and the Inter-State Commission of the Mississippi Branches to act swiftly in order to lessen the damage or, better yet, to prevent it altogether.
Long-Term Impact
The low water levels of the Mississippi are expected to have implications in the long run. Even with a moderate amount of rainfall throughout the following year, the Mississippi River will most likely remain at its current water level, or experience just a slight increase, due to soil loss, extreme evaporation, and mismanagement of water resources.
In the worst-case scenario, the river could rise to an extreme point in which it may create a flood-level statewide crisis. The Mississippi River has experienced multiple occurrences of floodingbefore but, if the water levels of the river continue to drop to levels much lower than the usual, more flooding will likely become a major problem.
Environmental Impact on The Mississippi River
The diminishing water supply of the Mississippi River is negatively impacting the natural habitats of the basin. With rivers and creepers drying out and fish and wildlife facing immediate danger, the environmental damage can already be seen today.
Water scarcity brings a decrease in water-based wildlife, particularly reptiles and amphibians, who require consistently wet environments in order to survive. A decrease in water levels could also present problems to aquatic-based birds and mammals, as there will be fewer natural food sources available to them. In addition, it could make invasive species more likely to spread.
The lack of water has rendered some of the rivers and streams within the basin virtually barren, with dangerous low-oxygen levels in the remaining waterbodies. This is even more concerning since the basin is home to multiple rare, threatened and endangered species, such as the Arkansas Darter fish, the Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow and the Pallid Sturgeon.
Rehabilitating The Mississippi
The Mississippi River and its basin’s primary defender is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who have been increasing their efforts to restore the affected areas. Their programs include campaigns to conserve water, protect endangered species and manage water quality.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently initiated a 5-year environmental restoration program with the aim of improving the quality of the river and its related ecosystem. The program will focus on aquatic and land habitats, water resource development and management, and sediment management. The restoration work began in October of 2019 and will continue until October 2021.
The U.S. Government has also allocated a specific budget for the rehabilitation of the river. The funds are mostly used for various works, such as hydrological studies, research, soil conservation and tree replanting.
Conclusion of the Low Water Levels on The Mississippi River
The Mississippi River and its adjoining states are standing at a crossroads. It is crucial that responsibility is taken and collective action is taken to address the health of the river and all life it supports. Governments and organizations must collaborate to create and implement plans that include conservation methods and strict water policies, as well as empower local communities to protect the river and its environment.
By enforcing better water conservation methods, the states can clean up the river and reduce pollution, while creating a sustainable and healthy environment within the Mississippi basin region. This will also ensure a more secure future for the creatures and people of the states and protect the livelihoods and cultures that depend on the river for generations to come.
