The mighty Mississippi River is considered to be the most powerful river in North America and is responsible for the export of close to a million gallons of fresh water each day. But where does the Mississippi River start?
The headwaters of the Mississippi River can be traced all the way back to Lake Itasca, located in northern Minnesota. The lake is a small, wooded area that encompasses an area of approximately 1.8 square miles. It is here where a small, foot-wide outlet of the lake provides a steady stream of water and marks the start of the Mississippi River.
Most of the earliest known inhabitants of the area were Native Americans, who named the lake “Oza-te-zee”, which meant “head of the river”. It wasn’t until 1832 when the lake was officially renamed “Lake Itasca”, by the Virginia geographer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, who was the first individual to explore the area numerous times.
To find out some more information about the start of the Mississippi River, we spoke to Professor Ann Marie Brezinski an environmental scientist from the University of Minnesota. She said: “The rivers that flow into Lake Itasca all come from the Northern Highland, an area of rolling hills spreading out from the center of the Lake. Together, these feeders contribute up to 11% of the total flow of the river called the Mississippi. The outflow from the lake is approximately 4,250 gallons per second which is the equivalent of around a million gallons each day that the river carries away”.
Surrounding the source of the river is a quiet and serene environment, which has drawn visitors from all over the world. Tourism is an important factor to the local economy and has been since the area was declared a state park in 1891.
Ann Marie went on to say: “the lake is a very popular place to visit as it offers wonderful activities such as camping, fishing and hiking, plus it’s the start of one of the world’s most iconic rivers. When you see the lake and know where it goes you can’t help but be inspired by the power of nature.”
Behaviour of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River has exhibited a range of behaviours based on its long-term hydrological cycle and seasonal fluctuation. The mainstream flow of the river is estimated to have a total length of 2,320 miles. During spring time, the meltwater from snow and ice will cause a rapid rise in water levels which may lead to flooding in certain areas.
In terms of transportation, the Mississippi River is still an integral part of the US economy with more than half the country’s grain exports being carried down the river. Additionally, it is still a popular destination for recreational activities, with more than 250 million visitors each year taking to the waters.
The Mississippi River is widely considered as one of the world’s most important rivers, thanks to its vital contribution to the environment and economy. The fact that it begins in northern Minnesota, with such power and determination, makes it an even more astonishing area to visit.
Managing the Mississippi River
The vast amount of water which originates from the Mississippi is regularly managed by a range of organizations. It is essential to constantly monitor the water levels in order to mitigate the risk of floods, improve transportation and ensure a balanced ecosystem.
Amongst the organizations which help to monitor the river is the Mississippi River Commission (MRC). Established in 1879, it works hand-in-hand with various other government agencies to deliver adequate management. Ann Marie, when asked about the work the MRC do, said “It has played an instrumental role in the conservation and management of the river. Furthermore, they are in constant contact with local communities and organizations to provide support at times of crisis.”
The MRC undertakes multiple missions regions along the river. The most significant being the Maintenance of the Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) Project. This project continues to be a vital measure in providing flood protection and navigation support, whilst also helping to conserve the natural environment.
Environmental Effects of the Mississippi River
The flow of the Mississippi River has generated multiple environmental issues that need to be addressed. In terms of water contamination, the emergence of a number of industries has caused the river to become heavily polluted. This has resulted in a range of extreme advisories regarding water quality and wildlife conservation, and has greatly impacted the life of rural communities.
On the other side of the coin, the emergence of the Mississippi River has also acted as a catalyst for much of the wildlife in the area to thrive. In particular, it has become an important waterfowl migration highway, with many species of birds making long journeys to the area each year.
The banks of the river are also home to a variety of endangered or threatened species such as the North American river otter, bald eagle, piping plover and least tern. As a result, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has introduced the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Plan to ensure the long-term protection of this key habitat.
Conservation of the Mississippi River
The conservation of the Mississippi River has, in recent years, become a focus of the US government. Multiple acts and policies have been formulated to protect the river, whilst also safeguarding its resources.
This includes the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, which was a significant step in terms of conserving the various habitats and species within the watershed. The act also established a comprehensive framework for the restoration and protection of habitats in the upper Mississippi River.
Another important act that was brought into force in 1991 was the Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Plan, which established an extensive conservation plan to protect the habitats along this stretch of the river. The plan outlines a number of measures such as creating buffer zones and wetland restoration.
On top of this, the government has also engaged in a number of projects to preserve the natural beauty of the area, such as the River Engineering and Restoration Program. This successfully used funds to restore the main channel and adjacent wetlands of the Upper Mississippi.
Contaminants in the Mississippi River
Mining and agricultural activities have had large impacts on the river, leading to a number of contamination issues. This includes the presence of an array of heavy metals, including mercury, cadmium and lead.
In terms of runoff, agricultural activities can also cause a large range of byproducts to be washed into the river. These include fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals, which can have a huge impact on water quality. Meanwhile, the presence of a number of industrial facilities near the river has caused a huge range of contaminants to enter the waterway.
All of these pollutants can have significant impacts on the ecosystem and health of both humans and wildlife. As a result, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formulated a number of policies to reduce the amount of pollutant entering the river.
Health of the Mississippi River
Despite the presence of a number of pollutants, the health of the Mississippi River is generally good. This is due to the numerous efforts which are underway to restore the areas affected and the introduction of a variety of measures by the US government to regulate the amount of contaminants entering the water.
On top of this, the government is also investing heavily in river restoration initiatives. This includes multiple programs focussed on both habitat and species preservation, as well as wetland enhancement, sediment management and water quality improvement.
The enforcement of these waters has led to a better ecological balance and improved water quality in the river. It is now possible to find clean beaches and estuaries, as well as rare and endangered species that were previously thought to be wiped out.
