Where is the Source of the Mississippi River?
The Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in the world, stretching 3,778 kilometers (2,341 miles) from its source in the state of Minnesota. It carries a large volume of water that empties into the Gulf of Mexico after winding its way through portions of 10 states: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
The origins of the Mississippi River are found in Lake Itasca in the Minnesota northwoods. The first portion of the river is rarely over one meter in depth and remains the source of the river for more than 120 kilometers. It then sharply widens to form Lake Bemidji. Here, the waters eventually become too large for a single riverbed and begin to branch out into backwaters and sloughs.
At this wide junction of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers lies a key location in the development of the Mississippi’s watershed. In the 19th century, industrial development near the junction of the rivers brought an increase in commercial shipping. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, extensive dredging operations allowed a continuous channel of the river to be maintained. This created an open waterway that allowed boats to navigate the entire river to the Gulf of Mexico.
Throughout its entire length, the Mississippi River is fed by numerous tributaries. The most significant sources of water include the Missouri, White and Ohio Rivers. Together, these sources are responsible for more than 60 percent of the river’s total water volume. The Ohio, White and Arkansas Rivers join the Mississippi from its west bank, while the Missouri and Illinois Rivers join from the east bank.
Most of the geological features that contribute to the length and depth of the Mississippi River, such as erosion of rock formations and glacial activity, date back millions of years. The formation of the river began during the last Ice Age, when glacial product and both major and minor rivers forced a “v” shaped channel through the landscape. Until the 1950s, the soil along the banks of the Mississippi was largely sedimentical in composition, consisting of around 70% sand and 30% clay. This composition has since changed as a result of pollution.
Today, the Mississippi River and its entire watershed are considered some of the most important bodies of water in North America. It’s not only a critical source of water for agriculture, industry and urban uses, but it’s also home to a wide variety of wildlife—including more than 200 species of fish and hundreds of species of birds. Human actions, such as overfishing, water pollution and climate change may put this vital ecosystem at risk.
Experts agree that preventive steps must be taken to protect the Mississippi River ecosystem and ensure its sustainability. One effort has been to clean up pollutants from the river and improve water quality through various public policies, such as the 1972 Clean Water Act. Governments are also actively working to restore and protect floodplains and wetlands that are critical habitats for endangered species.
The Mississippi River and Biodiversity
The Mississippi River basin is one of the most biodiverse regions in North America, harboring more than 500 species of fish, over 300 species of birds, and 70 species of mussels. These species are essential to the life and health of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. They are the basis of a variety of aquatic ecosystems, including streams, wetlands, oxbows, estuaries, and reservoirs.
Yet, human activities have caused toxic chemicals, including nutrients and heavy metals, to enter the river and its tributaries, endangering some of the species – such as the pallid sturgeon – that live in the waters of the Mississippi. In addition, overfishing, construction of dams and locks, water diversion projects, and agricultural runoff have all modified the composition of the river’s ecosystem.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified pollutants and pollutants-causing activities in the Mississippi River as “key threats” to the health of aquatic species. In response, the agency began implementing the Mississippi River Initiative in 2013 to reduce the impacts of pollution, remove sedimentary pollutants, enhance wetland habitats, and restore aquatic wildlife communities.
Environmental Impacts of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest drainage basin in the United States and stretches from the Gulf of Mexico all the way to the Canadian border. Its size, biodiversity, and importance to the local economy and national security make it a critical resource for the country.
Unfortunately, the river is also facing a variety of environmental pressures. Industrial and agricultural activities have caused concentrations of nutrients to increase in the river, leading to the development of large “dead zones” in the Gulf of Mexico. Pollutants have also been linked to declines in fish populations and have a negative impact on aquatic habitats.
The development of flood control infrastructure and dams has had an even greater impact on the Mississippi River. These projects have changed the flow of the river, increased sedimentation, altered riverbank vegetation, and disrupted nutrient cycles. They have also blocked historic spring floods, which are important for the maintenance of riverine habitats.
In recent years, there has been some effort to address these problems. For instance, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for much of the river’s flood control and navigation infrastructure, is working to improve water quality by improving the design and operation of its dams. In addition, the EPA has implemented strategies to restore and protect the river’s floodplains and wetlands, which are critical habitats for aquatic species.
Mississippi River Preservation and Conservation
Given the importance of the Mississippi River, it is essential to take proactive steps to preserve and conserve the river’s many resources.
The most effective way to do this is to encourage stakeholders, such as state and federal governments, industry and business, and local land owners to work together to protect, restore, and manage the river’s diverse ecosystems. This includes efforts to reduce sedimentation and pollutants, restore wetlands and floodplains, and create habitat for endangered or threatened species.
In addition, stakeholders should focus on strengthening the river’s navigability, improving access to recreational areas, and protecting and restoring the river’s cultural and historic heritage.
The Mississippi River and Climate Change
As global temperatures rise, the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident in the Mississippi River basin and its tributaries. Higher temperatures, increased precipitation, and changes in runoff patterns have the potential to not only disrupt the river’s delicate ecosystems, but also degrade water quality and damage infrastructure.
The most immediate effect of climate change is on the annual flood season of the Mississippi River. Warmer spring temperatures are likely to melt snow and ice more quickly, resulting in more frequent and extreme flooding. This increase in flooding is expected to cause an increase in sedimentation and nutrient pollution, which could have long-term impacts on the river’s ecosystem.
Climate change is also expected to increase the length of the river’s dry season, posing a threat to aquatic species and reducing the river’s navigability. In addition, higher temperatures could alter the life cycles of some species, increase evaporation, and cause algal blooms that could result in oxygen-free “dead zones”.
To mitigate the effects of climate change, stakeholders should focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, implementing water conservation and efficiency practices, and enhancing natural buffers like riverside wetlands.
The Future of the Mississippi River
Despite the threats posed by climate change, industrialization, and pollution, the future of the Mississippi River appears to be bright. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on restoring and protecting the river’s aquatic ecosystem and managing its resources.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with other stakeholders, is investing in projects to reduce sedimentation and improve water quality. Nonprofit organizations, such as the Mississippi River Network, are working to promote sustainable practices and raise awareness of the river’s importance.
In addition, governments at the state and federal level have begun to implement regulations to reduce pollutants, protect and restore habitats, and improve the navigability of the river. In the long-term, the goal is to restore and protect the Mississippi River for generations to come.
