The Mississippi River is one of the most iconic rivers in the United States and is the second-longest river system in the entire world. Stretching over 2,320 miles, the river forms an extensive soundscape and wilderness area, providing a habitat for many plant and animal species.
At its source, the Mississippi River begins in Lake Itasca near the city of Bemidji in Itasca State Park in northern Minnesota. The Mississippi River is fed by two main sources. First, the river is fed by the headwaters of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, then the river receives water from a series of canals and diversion projects along its course.
In the Mississippi River’s upper basin, which spans from Minnesota to Arkansas, its main tributaries are the Minnesota, St. Croix, Wisconsin, and Rock Rivers. As the river progresses southward towards the Gulf of Mexico, other tributaries contribute to its flow, including the Red River, the Arkansas, and the Ohio rivers.
The Mississippi River basin has an average of about 5,000 square miles of watershed area. This area comprises the 41 states and territories in the United States, as well as portions of Canada and Mexico. In total, the Mississippi River basin spans 1.2 million square miles, making it one of the largest river basins in the world.
The Mississippi River is a major source of drinking water in the region. It is used for irrigation and other agricultural needs, and it provides a source of energy through the Harlow Dam. The river also serves as a vital transport route for individuals and businesses, providing access to distant cities.
Experts say that the Mississippi River is threatened by many man-made and natural factors, including pollution, agricultural runoff, climate change, and rising water levels. Over the past century, major modifications have been made to the river in an effort to make it more navigable and to control flooding in its lower basin. In recent years, however, these modifications have had unintended impacts, such as inhibiting the movement of migratory fish species.
Despite these threats, people continue to use the Mississippi River for their own purposes. Fishermen, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, as well as local communities, actively use the river for recreation and tourism. For the environment, the river is a critical source of habitat for a wide range of organisms, from fish and amphibians to turtles and birds.
Impact of Climate Change
Climate change is seen as one of the main threats to the Mississippi River, as an increase in extreme weather events such as floods and droughts can contribute to more frequent and intense flooding, erosion, and sedimentation downriver. In addition, global warming can lead to rising sea levels, which can cause more saltwater to enter the river, leading to contamination of freshwater supplies and changes in ecosystem dynamics.
In response, several efforts are being made to protect the Mississippi River from the impacts of climate change. Landscaping and dockside plantings can limit runoff from agricultural and urban development, while dams that store water for long-term use and a system of locks and dams can reduce the impacts of extreme weather events on the river.
Government agencies are also working to reduce pollution, reduce sedimentation and erosion, and support wetland habitat restoration along the river. Natural resource management plans such as the Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI), which was established to “conserve, protect, restore, and enhance the Mississippi River and its tributaries and their associated habitats,” are helping to ensure that the river remains a healthy and viable ecosystem.
Levees and Flood Control
In addition to natural resource management, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for the management of the Mississippi River’s levees and for flood control. The Corps builds and maintains levees along the main stem of the river to prevent lowland flooding along the banks, as well as construction and maintenance of flood control structures such as dams, reservoirs, and levees.
The construction of levees along the main stem of the river has been controversial, as they can cause changes in the river’s meandering path, leading to channel migration and the destruction of wetlands. In some cases, these levees can actually cause more damage by increasing the risk of flooding along the banks.
In response to this issue, the Corps has recently implemented a program of reducing levee requirements along the Mississippi River. The program aims to both maintain flood control while also protecting the critical habitat of fish and wildlife species that rely on the river.
Water Quality
The Mississippi River is the biggest source of drinking water for people living along its shores and countries downstream of the United States. While the river is an essential source of water for many communities, pollution from upstream sources has made it prone to algal blooms, aquatic nuisance species, and other contaminants.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified several sources of pollution in the river, including agriculture, industry, and urban runoff. The EPA also maintains a monitoring program for the Mississippi River to ensure that water quality standards are being met. State and local agencies are also developing regulations to reduce nutrients and other pollutants that contribute to algal blooms and other water quality issues.
In addition, the EPA has set water quality criteria that must be met before permits can be issued to dredge and fill activities in the interests of public safety. This includes assessing potential impacts to the river from dredging and filling activities and ensuring that these activities will not negatively affect the quality of the river.
Conservation Efforts
The Mississippi River is an iconic part of American culture, history, and ecology. Efforts are being made to both improve its health and to protect its uniqueness. The riverscape provides important habitat for numerous fish and wildlife species, as well as recreational opportunities. As such, many organizations are actively working to conserve and protect the river.
The Mississippi River Network is a partnership of 160 organizations working to protect the river and its watersheds, while the Mississippi River Conservation Program works to restore wildlife habitats, reduce wildlife mortality due to human activities, reduce water pollution, and protect natural resources.
Additionally, the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) is engaged in environmental research, educational outreach, and local partnerships to restore the health of the river. This research includes studying the impacts of pollution, species invasion, hydrologic fluctuations, and climate change on the river and its associated wetlands.
Economic Value
Finally, it is important to recognize the economic importance of the Mississippi River. There are numerous industries that rely on the river for transportation, such as the barge industry, as well as hydropower, tourism, and recreation. In addition, the river has been a source of food and water for centuries, and the Mississippi River basin remains an important source of drinking water for millions of people.
It is estimated that the Mississippi River basin contributes over seven billion dollars to the United States’ economy annually, with more than 750,000 people employed directly or indirectly due to the economic activities in the basin. In addition, the river has great aesthetic and spiritual value to many of its communities, making it a valuable part of the national economic and cultural landscape.
Wildlife and Biodiversity
The Mississippi River is an incredible habitat for over 200 species of fish, as well as a variety of invertebrates and amphibians. It is also home to numerous endangered species such as the pallid sturgeon, the American alligator, and the pallid shiner. The river is a critical habitat for migratory bird species, and provides essential spawning and nursery grounds for anadromous fish such as shad and sturgeon.
River management and conservation efforts are critical to maintaining the health of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, and protecting the river’s ample wildlife and biodiversity. In addition to improving water quality, restoring wetlands, and reducing pollutant runoff, there is a need to reduce impacts from hydropower dams and other human activities that can have a negative impact on native species.
Though the health of the Mississippi River is threatened by human activity and climate change, there are numerous efforts in place to protect and conserve the river. With continued education and engagement around the importance of the Mississippi River, we can ensure that the river remains an essential part of our environment and our culture for generations to come.
