The Origin Of The Mississippi-Missouri Rivers
The Mississippi-Missouri river system is one of the most prominent river systems in Americas’ Southwest. It is a waterway of awe, inspiration and significance. The Mississippi River is the second longest and most important river in the United States. It is also the third longest in the world, with a length of over 2,320 miles. In contrast, the Missouri River is the longest river in the United States, spanning 2,341 miles. Both rivers originate from headwaters located in the Northern United States, flowing through several US states.
The Mississippi River arises from the collection of several headwaters,including the combined Missouri-Jefferson-Beaverhead Rivers, which originate in the Missouri Headwaters State Park,located in Montana. It eventually flows through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. On the other hand, the Missouri River starts off in the Rocky Mountains, at the confluence of Jefferson and Madison Rivers,in the state of Montana. It then travels through North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri, before eventually merging with the Mississippi River, at the city of St. Louis, Missouri.
This particular stretch of the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers, where they come together, has enormous environmental, social and economic significance. Historically, the river was used by Native American tribes as a means of transportation, with the rivers also providing sustenance, through fish and waterfowl. In the 1800s, the rivers were integral to the United States’ trade, allowing for goods to be transported via the Inner Route Corridor, connecting several important inland cities in the country.
Today, the river remains important to the transportation of goods and services, as well as to the ecology of the area. The convergence of the two rivers, as they travel through St. Louis, presents a unique and spectacular sight. It is indeed a natural wonder, with its meeting point being marked by the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Here, the rivers mingle together to form the Combined Mississippi-Missouri River System.
The navigability of the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers enables for goods and services can be shipped efficiently, from the source of the combined rivers in Montana, to their respective mouths in the Gulf of Mexico. To facilitate this, the US Army Corps of Engineers has constructed several levees and large stone dams along the rivers, in order to make them more navigable. Additionally, the US Army Corps of Engineers also builds frequent locks along the length of the combined rivers,which assists in controlling their flows, thereby ensuring that they do not experience large variations during peak seasons of floods and droughts.
The navigability of the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers has been invaluable to the US economy, providing an inexpensive and efficient transport alternative to truck and rail, as well as barges that ply these waters. The river system has made it possible to transport over 735 million tons of cargo annually, to some 31 American states, these states are all connected through more than 2,200 miles long streams. This cargo can include grain, fuel, food, and other goods.
Due to their heavy usage, the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers often require repairs, maintenance, and dredging, which can be hugely expensive. In recent times, federal and state government agencies and organizations, have been allocating billions of dollars in order to look into the issues and concerns that affect the entire navigable waterways of the US, particularly the Mississippi-Missouri River system.
Impacts Of Dams,Levees And Locks On The Mississippi-Missouri Rivers
Building levees, locks and dams have been the biggest factor affecting the ecology and the navigability of the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers. Levees are a type of dam, used to control and manage the flow of water through a river. They can be made from stone, rock, or sand and are usually built to protect landfrom floods, or to divert water for drinking, agricultural,or recreational uses. Locks are also used to control the flow of water and to allow for larger vessels to navigate rivers and inlets.
The construction of dams and levees, along the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers, has played a pivotal role in protecting cities and towns, located along the banks of the rivers, from potential flooding. For example, in the city of St. Louis, hundreds of miles of leveeshave been built at strategic points, in order to protect the city from the potential flood waters of the combined rivers. Similarly, hundreds of miles of stone dams have been built, in order to ensure that the river is navigable, even during times of unprecedented flooding.
Though the construction of levees and dams are seen as a major factor in the control of water quantity and quality in the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers, there are very serious impacts of these structures on the ecology of the river system. Dams and levees disrupt natural water flows, affecting the migration and reproduction of fish. They also reduce water quality by trapping sediment, which reduces nutrient availability and plant growth, thus decreasing biodiversity in the river system.
Impacts Of The Mississippi-Missouri Rivers On Wildlife
The Mississippi-Missouri Rivers form critical habitats for several species of migratory birds, waterfowl, fish, and mammals. The locks along the river system, during their water level management, create restricted areas which these animals use as resting and nesting spots. The region of the combined rivers, especially where they converge, is home to some of the largest wetlands, where wildlife thrive.
The wetlands created by the confluence of the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers, support an immense variety of wildlife, including several species of wetland plants, invertebrates such as freshwater mussels, and a variety of species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.Due to the sheer number of species that the river system is home to, it has been declared as a Ramsar Convention Wetland of International Importance.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has taken special steps to ensure the preservation of the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers. They have implemented several conservation projects, such as habitat protection, floodplain protection, and environmental restorations that help to maintain the health and stability of the river system.
The Future Of The Mississippi-Missouri Rivers
Although the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers have witnessed a steady decline in its navigability over the years, due to silting, human activities, and the development of its banks, the rivers are still integral to US identity, economy and geography. The US government has invested heavily in projects to rebuild and strengthen the infrastructure necessary for the maintenance of the rivers.
The popularity of the area, aswell as its conservation, will depend greatly on how important it is recognized to be. The importance of the Mississippi-Missouri River system as a provider for goods, services and transportation needs to be highlighted if the area is to be preserved. Charitable organizations, private individuals, and governments must do more to conserve this critical resource, and withhold the benefits that it can provide.
The Mississippi River-Missouri River System In Tourism
The Mississippi-Missouri Rivers have been integral to the state of Missouri, providing transportation, sustenance, and beauty. Recognizing the importance of the river system, the state of Missouri has been heavily promoting its tourism potential. River cruises are popular among tourists, who are keen to explore the beauty of the rivers and its banks.
To attract tourists, the state of Missouri has developed various amenities, including camp sites, state parks and museum centers, that pay homage to the diverse and varied history to be found along these rivers. In addition, Missouri also holds various festivals and events annually, celebrating the rivers, their tributaries, and the natural habitats that it provides for animals and humans alike.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources also puts together an annual report, titled “State of The Mississippi-Missouri Rivers Report’, that provides detailed information on the current state of the rivers. These reports are released to the public annually, in order to raise awareness of the importance of the area ,and to emphasize the potential of the integrated rivers ecosystem.
The Connection Between Humans And The Mississippi-Missouri Rivers System
The Mississippi-Missouri Rivers have provided a connection between people and the land, even during times of political change, boundaries and divisions in the US. Locals continue to rely on the rivers for their livelihood, as visitors travel to the area, inspired by the beauty and serenity of the multi-state river system. The rivers continue to act as a symbol of unity and persistence, among the communities that share its boundaries.
It is for this reason, that the history and culture of the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers remain integral to the state of Missouri. This is emphasized in the various museums and education centers, that explore the history and culture of the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers’ development. Furthermore, rivers are a crucial element in religious rituals and ceremonies, in the Mississippi-Missouri River system.
The importance of the Mississippi-Missouri Rivers, to the communities around it, will continue to live on, even as the rivers are increasingly seen as a source of recreation and tourism. Governments, large and small, need to be aware of their commitment to the rejuvenation of the river system. It is only then that the river can be fully restored, by maintaining its ecological integrity, recreating its scenic beauty and preserving its cultural and spiritual heritage.
