The Mississippi River Steps: Origin to Delta
The Mississippi River’s incredible journey begins in northern Minnesota, where the headwaters can be traced. From there, the river flows like a ribbon, winding through the American Midwest states of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee, before resting in an expansive delta at the Louisiana-Mississippi border. During this journey, the Mississippi grows over 2,000 miles long, draining rainwater and melted snow from an area covering two-thirds of the United States.
The river’s path is divided into four distinct stretches: the headwaters, or the uppermost steps of the Mississippi River, consists of numerous small tributaries that feed into the main river, forming what is known as the Upper Mississippi. From there, the body of water moves south, becoming the Middle Mississippi and taking a larger, stronger shape. Then, the Mississippi expands three-fold from its original width, forming the Lower Mississippi. Eventually, this lowered river empties into the Mississippi River Delta, the entryway for what is technically the Gulf of Mexico.
Home to thousands of aquatic species, this true delta environment is constantly forming, reforming, and reshaping itself. According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Mississippi River Delta is located at the boundary between Louisiana and Mississippi, surrounded by a marshy system and the outer reaches of the continental shelf. The delta is about 69 square miles, and it mimics an emerald-green archipelago in the Gulf. In addition to being a hub of marine life, the Delta has been flood control, added barriers to hurricanes, served as a natural catalyst for wetland habitats, and even protects nearby coastal communities.
Indeed, experts agree that the Mississippi River Delta is not only home to many species, but it is also a major contributor to the overall economy. Delta protection programs, like the America’s WETLAND Foundation, focus their energy on mitigating the impact of economic and environmental issues in the area, such as destructive fishing practices, sediment shift, industrial pollution, and climate change. These programs are further fueled by the revenue generated from oil flowing through the Delta — about 25 percent of the nation’s oil supply. By monitoring, restoring, and protecting the Delta’s environs, these efforts aim to preserve its health and abundance.
In order to protect the Delta, the US Army Corps of Engineers is focusing on restoring 500,000 acres of delta wetlands and creating sustainable habitats for species like Ammodramus maritimus, or the Mississippi Sandhill Crane. According to the USACE, this program is one of the most successful wetland conservation projects to date, with a goal of nourishing the Delta’s wildlife, marshlands, and shorelines. Through bringing public and private stakeholders together, these actions enable a strong partnership among land owners, resource managers, and conservationists.
Delta Tides: Fluctuations and Variations
In addition to the human impact, there are other forces that contribute to the ongoing fluctuations in the Delta ecosystem. One of the main influencers is changes in the water level — when flooding occurs in the tributary areas, the excess water carries sediment, plants, and animals (known as “drifters”) downriver into the Delta. With the changing tides come variation in delta ecosystems and beneficial conditions for production of new marshes, creeks and channels.
The shifts in tides also change the sediment deposits in a range of places. In some municipalities, like Dolice and Lorraine, there is evidence of sediment being held back by levees, creating large sand bars. This creates a natural barrier that protects the residents from flooding — while also creating a refuge area for local birds and other coastal wildlife.
Though the US Army Corps of Engineers has worked hard to balance the Delta’s water levels, the ever-changing tides are not solely the result of their efforts. Cycles of drought and wet cycles have a huge impact on the delta’s ecosystem, with wet periods raising the water level disproportionate to the normal annual flow, and droughts leaving portions of the Delta dry for extended periods of time.
The Mississippi River Delta is also subject to salinity gradients, as the river meets the sea. Salt from the ocean meets the stanwater from the river, causing the Delta to recognize varying levels of salinity across its area. Studies suggest that this can cause an impact in the Delta’s habitats, altering its ability to sustain life and natural resources. This has huge implications for the areas fisheries, which are dependent on levels of salinity.
Restoration Projects: Rebuilding and Recovery
As scientists continue to find evidence of deforestation and structural erosion in the Delta area, there has been a focus on restoring wetlands in a range of areas. A number of wetland restoration projects are ongoing, combining social and economic research, ecological management, and the use of new technologies. These projects have enabled projects like the Coastal Management, a federally funded initiative for restoring townlands, estuaries, and lowlands in the Mississippi River Delta.
There is also a push for sustainable stanwater fishing and oysterharvesting — using nature-based solutions like retention ponds to nurture water life and encourage fish egg production. Though these measures are proving to be beneficial and increasing produce, there is still a long way to go. The Delta’s banishment of wetlands, devastation of animal and plant species, and sediment loss all contribute to the need for restoration and protection.
Some of the technological advances being used to restore the Delta’s marshes include innovative underwater machines and digital mapping. With the help of a fleet of remotely operated vessels, scientists are monitoring the environment and mapping underwater scenes, giving them a deeper understanding of the Delta’s needs. This information is critical for tracking and predicting changes to the Delta. Additionally, scientists use cutting-edge simulation software to combine observed data with modeling results and analysis, providing additional insights on how best to protect and sustain the Delta.
Agroforestry: Diversifying the Delta
Agroforestry is a type of land management where agricultural and forestry practices are combined, typically requiring multiple crops and claims. In the case of the Delta, it is being used to diversify the landscape and reduce pressure on natural resources — allowing for the reuse and reuse of natural habitats.
Through agroforestry interventions, like tree planting and earthworks, communities are able to restore and maintain local wetland ecosystems. These efforts are focused on keeping the Delta solutions oriented, supporting and educating local communities, and creating research opportunities. Furthermore, agroforesters are often able to find additional sources of food and income through the sale of their products and shifts in the economy.
Agroforestry is proving to be an invaluable tool in mitigating the effects of climate change, preventing soil erosion and desertification, and reducing the need for natural resource extraction. It is being used in the Delta as a way to add diversity and create resilience. As agroforestry efforts continue, they bring a much-needed source of education, community resources, and financial stability.
Misunderstanding and Mismanagement of the Mississippi River Delta
In spite of its substantial impact to the environment and the economy, the Mississippi River Delta has long been mismanaged. With the rise of industry in the region, wetlands have been destroyed for development and coastal towns have become heavy with pollution. Over the years, this has led to a decrease in biodiversity and an overload of sediment, nutrients, and pollutants that have found their way into the Delta.
In addition, the introduction of invasive species — such as the nutria — has further impacted the Delta’s wildlife and habitat. These animals are voracious eaters and can cause extensive damage to grasses and other vegetation, leading to considerable losses in soil stability and plant cover.
But it’s not just misunderstanding and mismanagement — people are looking to the Delta for solutions. With its rich soils, abundance of fish and wildlife, and an abundance of plant-based materials available for processing, the Delta is seen as a potential source of wealth and security. As a result, organizations like the US Fish and Wildlife Service are working to develop programs to help manage the Delta’s resources in a responsible way.
This initiative is being supplemented by the Mississippi River Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to understanding how to best optimize and protect natural resources. This organization is conducting extensive research into understanding the Delta’s needs, harnessing its strengths, and forming positive relationships with stakeholders in the region.
Climate Change and the Mississippi River Delta
The impacts of climate change are increasingly prevalent in the Delta, as rising sea levels and warmer temperatures cause changes in the water levels and the salinity gradient. As the sea absorbs more carbon dioxide, acidic runoff depletes aquifers and reduces the quality of habitats for wildlife. This leads to decreased fish and wildlife populations, changes in vegetation, and increased sediment production.
Meanwhile, sea level rise is intensifying the frequency and severity of storms, forcing deltaic vegetation to migrate and enter new environments. This threatens to disrupt coastal ecosystems and human infrastructure, impacting navigation and recreation, and threatening coastal communities with flooding, storm surges, and increased intensity of high tide flooding.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is looking for ways to address these changes and implement strategies that can help to mitigate their impacts. Ideas like raised levees, flood walls, and stormwater diversion can help to redirect water away from the Delta, while ecological restoration projects aim to create buffers, assist with vegetation migration, and create healthy wetland habitats.
Though the Mississippi River Delta is still intact and thriving, there is no denying that it is under stress. Various forces, both natural and human-caused, will continue to impact the Delta’s resilience and sustainability — and a holistic response that takes all of these issues into account is essential if we are to have a successful managed ecosystem moving forward.
Economic Security: Supporting the Investors of the Delta
Along with the conservation efforts being made to protect the Delta, there is a concurrent effort to support the livelihood and well-being of its local investors. The Delta Region is home to a large fishing community, and through the Louisiana Delta Citizens Union, a team of researchers and stakeholders are working to develop sustainable fishing practices and access to physical and investment capital.
These efforts are being augmented by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Economic Security Fund, which is helping to secure long-term employment opportunities through training in aquaculture and the protection of coastal fish populations. Through the funding of a local Fisheries Training Program, young professionals can receive certified education in coastal fisheries management, creating jobs and expertise in the field.
Furthermore, the Environmental Defense Fund is aiding in economic diversification of industries, creating greater economic security. By helping to bolster the area’s small business community and improve access to capital, the EDF is helping to create a resilient economy that is better prepared to withstand the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.
These collaborations demonstrate the larger commitment to the Delta’s future, as well as the value of their resources. Moving forward, these collaborative efforts and conservation projects can have a tremendous impact on the prosperity and security of the Delta, and its people for generations to come.
