The Source of the Mighty Mississippi River
At 2,552 miles long, the Mississippi River is the lifeblood of the United States, winding through ten states and its last 2,300 miles lined with levees from Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico. It is no surprise that this mighty river played a key part in the development of the US economy, transportation, security, and recreation for centuries, but it may be more than a surprise to learn where it starts: Lake Itasca in northwestern Minnesota.
Mario Gomez, professor of geography at Minnesota University, explains that Lake Itasca is the headwater of the river: “Lake Itasca is the primary source of the Mississippi River and it has the most clear and coldest water of all tributaries within the main stream.” He adds that it is difficult to pinpoint the exact spot that marks the beginning of the Mississippi, but the generally accepted source is at the northwest corner of Lake Itasca’s northernmost island.
The area around Lake Itasca is a well-preserved refuge featuring unspoiled forests, grasslands and lakes for recreation, fishing, camping and hiking. Since its incorporation as a National Park in 1891, visitors have used it as a place to relax, explore and learn more about the Mississippi’s origin. It is a great place for those who wish to teach their children about this massive river and its fascinating history.
In terms of geology, Lake Itasca was created over ten thousand years ago by a large and powerful glacial feature known as the Wisconsin Lobe. This glacial feature moved down from the north and created a channel that was eventually filled in by water, forming the lake. In contrast, the glacial feature that created the St. Croix River, the Mississippi’s longest tributary, was much smaller, which is why the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers do not actually meet.
As for the cause of the Mississippi’s immense flow, geography professor Mario Gomez explains that, “the immense flow is actually caused by the various watersheds that feed into the river. The means that all the rain, melting snow, and runoff from the tributaries that feed the Mississippi eventually add up to create the water levels we see today.”
In sum, the Mississippi River starts in a small lake in the northernmost part of Minnesota, known as Lake Itasca. The lake was formed by a large glacial feature known as the Wisconsin Lobe and its immense flow is created by the various watersheds that feed into the river. All in all, Lake Itasca is a great place to explore and learn more about the origins of the mighty Mississippi.
The Mississippi River Through the Centuries
What stands today as the longest river in North America, the Mississippi has a rich and intricate history, one that spans over centuries. It has proven to be an integral part of the development of north America, and more so, the US economy and culture, with some of its adventure stories making it into literature and folklore.
A peculiar factor of the Mississippi’s past is its unpredictability. The river changed course frequently, and flows rapidly, often overflowing its banks and transforming the geography of the surrounding areas. Its rapid flow necessitated the formation of levees over the river, and the task of keeping them raised, monitored and maintained proved to be a monumental task with far-reaching implications.
Also of note is that, while the Mississippi and its levees provided transportation and connectivity to the areas near it, they also posed dangers that led to many major floods in the 19th and 20th centuries. This made the maintenance of the levee system an even greater challenge, and eventually led to government assistance in the maintenance and raising of the levees, preventing them from overly flooding the lands near them.
The development of the ports along the Mississippi and those of its tributaries provided much of the infrastructure in the formative years of the USA, but that’s not all. These routes also served as trade routes for crops, and timber moving down the river, something that contributed greatly to the economy of the states nearby. The Mississippi also played a part in the slave trade, as it was one of the routes used to transport slaves from the south to the northern states.
Finally, it is noteworthy that, though it stands as a threat to human safety, the Mississippi is also a vital part of the local wildlife. The river is a critical migration corridor for many species like the Steller’s Eider, a sea duck, as well as many species of fish and birds. In addition to that, the Mississippi feeds into its longest tributary-the St. Croix- through which an abundance of wildlife in many forms can be found.
The Mississippi River Today
Today, the Mississippi River is known as a hub of industry and a main transportation artery. The Mississippi Flood Of 1927 forever changed the landscape of the river and its interactions with humans, mainly by providing a palpable reminder of the dangers posed by the river when it overflows. The mess that was left behind prompted the U.S. Congress to authorize the Flood Control Act of 1928, which set a standard for the Army Corps Of Engineers to build levees, floodwalls, and reservoirs along the Mississippi to help prevent floods from happening in the future.
These days, the river runs through one of the most intensively farmed agricultural regions in North America and provides the country with much-needed water resources. The U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers also provide navigation for ships and barges to move along the river and its tributaries, and have done a commendable job of providing the necessary flood control works to maximize the uses of the Mississippi.
In terms of leisure, the Mississippi River offers plenty of great locations for recreation and exploration. Boaters, kayakers, hikers, and campers can be found enjoying the river’s beauty at its many scenic stops while fishing is also a popular pastime along its length. The Mississippi also boasts numerous cultural hot spots and heritage sites throughout its course, making the river an integral part of the US’s cultural legacy.
In conclusion, the Mississippi river is a large part of the history and culture of the United States. The river begins at Lake Itasca, in the north of Minnesota, and from there it travels through ten different states across the country. Throughout its course, the river serves a multitude of purposes for industry, transportation and recreation and is still viewed as one of the most important and influential rivers in the United States.
Environmental Challenges Facing the Mississippi
The Mississippi River is one of the most important rivers in the United States. Unfortunately, it currently faces numerous environmental and ecological challenges. In recent years, the river has been subject to increased levels of pollution, which affects the quality of the water, as well as the wildlife that live in and around bodies of water.
The main sources of pollution come from agricultural and industrial runoff, which pollute the Mississippi with excess nitrogen and phosphorus. This pollution not only affects the river, but can spread and create further ecological damage further downstream into the Gulf of Mexico. Nitrate pollution from agriculture also makes its way into aquifers, creating potential health problems for people living in the area, as well as water shortages in some areas.
The impacts of climate change are another major threat that the Mississippi river is facing. Climate change has increased the frequency of floods, droughts and hurricanes, which are all exacerbated by rising temperatures and sea levels. These events can cause silt and debris to accumulate in the river, which can lead to loss of habitats, water quality issues, and an increase in invasive species.
The US Army Corps of Engineers is working to address some of these environmental issues. They are attempting to reduce the amount of sediment and debris in the river, improve water quality, and develop strategies to reduce the impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, these efforts may be limited in their effectiveness as the issues facing the Mississippi River are large in scale.
In spite of this, a number of government initiatives, conservation efforts and non-governmental organizations are doing what they can to help the Mississippi River. Projects such as restoring wetlands, improving local water infrastructure and creating more environmentally friendly management practices all have potential to help, though more work needs to be done.
Mississippi River Conservation Initiatives
To protect the Mississippi River and ensure its sustainable development for future generations, there is an urgent need for more conservation initiatives. Organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation have been working on the ground to restore wetlands, improve water quality, and reduce the impacts of flooding, droughts and hurricane on the river.
At the same time, the US government is taking steps to improve the situation. The Mississippi River Hydropower Extension Act, which was recently passed, calls for increased investment in renewable energy initiatives along the river, such as small hydroelectric projects, hydropower plants, and wind energy. This could potentially help reduce the reliance on traditional fossil fuel sources and also reduce the impacts of climate change.
Other organizations, such as the Mississippi River Collaborative, are working to promote public education about the river’s ecological importance. They are also working to bring together stakeholders far and wide to identify solutions to the issues facing the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The collaborative is a very important step in the right direction, and could significantly improve the river’s health if its efforts are successful.
Overall, the Mississippi River is a vital resource for the US economy as well as for wildlife and recreation. Unfortunately, it is facing numerous environmental and ecological threats. To ensure proper conservation, a variety of initiatives must be enacted, from government policies to grassroots efforts. This will require the joint effort of stakeholders far and wide, but with the right amount of collaboration, the future of the Mississippi River is bright.
