Background Information on the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the second longest river in North America and the fourth longest in the world, stretching for a total of 2,320 miles across the United States from Minnesota to Louisiana. Formed at Lake Itasca in Minnesota and emptying its waters into the Gulf of Mexico, it is the largest of the US interior rivers. Along its own course, it takes on numerous tributaries, draining water from even further up north.
The point of widest width on the Mississippi River is an area near the Grand Tower in Illinois, measuring in at 11.3 miles wide. This section is the final major river bend that the river makes before it heads south into the state of Louisiana.
The river also serves as the border between Tennessee and Kentucky and so its overall width serves to broaden the connections between the two states. Before the westward expansion of the 19th century, the Mississippi River was a major hub of transportation, trade, and exploration.
How the Width of the Mississippi River affects the Environment
The wide width of the Mississippi River has a significant effect on the environment in the state of Illinois and further up and down the length of the river. Firstly, increased width means increased river flow volume and this impacts the soil composition of the land in the immediate vicinity and further downstream.
The increased river flow also has wide ranging effects on the biodiversity of the river, with an abundance of new fish and other animal species often seen. This is due to the wide variety of habitats that the wider river offers, allowing different species of plants and animals to thrive in different areas around the river.
The increase in the overall size of the river also impacts the local climate by allowing more water to evaporate into the atmosphere and cool the surrounding area. This can have a great impact in the summer months when temperatures typically soar. The plants and animal life along the Mississippi River are also impacted due to the increased water flow, with the river often playing host to an abundance of new species.
The Impact of the Mississippi River on the Economy
The Mississippi River and its widest point in particular have had a significant impact on the economy of the region. It is often used as a major shipping and transportation route, and has been since the early days of the 19th century. This has allowed goods to move both up and down the river.
The Mississippi River is home to numerous trade paths and businesses, so the wider width in Illinois has opened up many more options for locals to make a living. Furthermore, businesses now have the chance to transport their goods to more towns and cities than before, further boosting the local economy.
In addition to commercial activity on the river, the Mississippi River and its wider width in Illinois has also served as a major source of recreational activities for the local population. Fishing, swimming and other activities become more accessible with the increased width, allowing more people to enjoy the river.
The History of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River has a long and storied history, having been inhabited since ancient times. Humans have been using the river for various purposes since the days of the native Americans, who relied on it for sustenance, transportation and trade.
As colonisation of the United States progressed, the Mississippi River and its wider width in Illinois came to be used in an ever-increasing capacity. It formed a vital link between the east and west coast, allowing goods and travellers to move between the different areas of America. This spurred further development in the region and helped to fuel the growth of the United States in the 19th century.
The Mississippi River and its wider width in Illinois remain a key part of many of the United States’ most vital industries to this day, be they agricultural, recreational or industrial.
The Impact of Human Activity on the Mississippi River
The increased width of the Mississippi River in Illinois has been caused by human activities such as deforestation and damming. In the 1950s, large sections of land were cleared for industrial purposes and this removed large amounts of trees and other vegetation that were holding back the water. This effectively caused the river to swell in size.
In addition to the deforestation, various dams built along the Mississippi River in Illinois and elsewhere further increased the river’s ability to store water. This increased the river’s overall width and has allowed it to become one of the most important rivers in the United States.
The wider width of the Mississippi River in Illinois has also had an important impact on the navigation of vessels along the river. Boats and other ships are able to travel further up the river than before due to the increased water level and width, opening up new paths and allowing them to go further than ever.
This is beneficial to the navigation industry as it allows them to cover more ground in less time than ever before. Furthermore, the increased width of the river also allows for deeper water levels, which allow for larger vessels with greater cargo capacities to pass through.
The wide width of the Mississippi River in Illinois also allows for more vessels to be able to dock or stop at the various towns and cities that line the river’s course or are within reasonable distance from the source. This allows for greater levels of trade, transportation and commerce.
The Widening of the Mississippi River and Increased Erosion
The increase in the overall width of the Mississippi River can also have severe consequences to the banks of the river. The wide size of the river means that the banks are more susceptible to erosion, with the increased water flow meaning they give way quicker and more often. This can have devastating consequences to the areas that are near the river, with land often falling victim to the increased water flow.
In order to combat the increased levels of erosion and reduce the risk of flooding, a number of preventative measures have been set in place. To begin with, the river’s banks are often reinforced with barriers, such as asphalt or even rock walls, to ensure that the erosion does not get out of hand. Additionally, state and federal governments often implement measures such as levees and dams to help control the water level and reduce flooding.
The Risks of a Wider Mississippi River
Despite its potential benefits, a wider Mississippi River can also be increasingly dangerous. The increased water flow and speed of the river can make it difficult to navigate, leading to more accidents and even fatalities at times.
The river’s increasing width also increases the risk of the river overflowing its banks, leading to considerable damage to nearby towns and cities. Furthermore, the increased level of water can cause cave-ins in the riverbed, leading to further peril for anyone travelling the river.
The increased width of the Mississippi River is a double-edged sword and it is important to consider all of the risks before travelling its waters or relying on it for one’s livelihood.
The Widening of the Mississippi River and Water Quality
The widening of the Mississippi River in Illinois has also affected the quality of the water in the river. The increased width and speed of the river have caused the riverbed to become deeper, allowing sediment to be carried farther and faster. This can lead to lower water quality and higher levels of pollution, both of which can have a detrimental effect on the plant and animal life that live in and around the river.
The increased water flow can also have a negative impact on the local environment, allowing pollutants to travel even further and faster than before. This can lead to a decrease in the water quality in both the river itself and its tributaries, adversely affecting wildlife and reducing the number of species that inhabit the area.
In order to combat the decrease in water quality, there are a number of preventative measures that can be taken. Water treatment plants can be used to ensure that the pollutants remain in the river and never reach the ocean. In addition to this, having strong regulations in place that ensure that businesses and individuals take responsibility for their waste and chemicals is also important.
Conclusion
The widening of the Mississippi River in Illinois has brought about both positive and negative connotations. It has done much to boost the economy and improve the lives of those in the immediate vicinity and further downstream, while also playing a major role in the exploration and settlement of America.
However, it has also caused the river to become perilous in some sections and increased the risk of hazards occurring. The decrease in water quality has also had a negative impact on the environment, and this is something that must be taken into consideration when travelling along the river.
