Emptying out its powerful waters into the vast Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River is a defining feature of the American landscape and one of the world’s longest rivers. But where and what is the mouth of the Mississippi?
The Mississippi River originates in Lake Itasca in Minnesota and flows south nearly 2,350 miles through Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana before finally draining into the Gulf of Mexico. The area where the river meets the sea, called the Mississippi River Delta, is a deep, wide estuary that’s made up of thousands of wetlands, channels, and barrier islands.
But the exact “end of the river” can be tricky to pinpoint. There is no singular, definitive spot from which the river’s water enters the Gulf. Instead, every year, the ever-shifting river delta funnels an array of channels that constantly form and reform as they scoop up sediment and gradually drift southward.
Roughly 80% of the sediment that builds the river delta comes from the Mississippi River itself. The highest single source of sediment by far, however, is the Atchafalaya River. This swollen tributary joins up with the Mississippi at its midpoint, and the two rivers meld their sediment before pushing it downstream.
Nevertheless, the northernmost section of the Mississippi maintains a significant presence in the delta; it’s estimated that approximately 40% of the sediment from the delta originally came from this section of the river. Several main channels have solidified here — including the Southwest Pass, the South Pass and, to a lesser degree, the Pass-à-Loutres — that fork out from the primary channel of the Mississippi River and supply the Gulf with most of its sediment.
Exploring the Delta
The delta is a vital habitat for a huge array of fish, amphibians, birds, and other wildlife. It’s also a popular destination for hikers and canoers who are looking to take in this unique ecosystem. Hikers drawn to the delta’s barrier islands can choose from several options; to the east, smaller islands with white sand beaches and salty air are close to the coast, while the further inland islands host a variety of migratory birds and other wildlife.
For the more adventurous, a canoeing trip through the maze of swampy waterways uncovers the secret corners of the delta. Even in its most remote of corners, visitors remain just miles away from metropolitan New Orleans. The two separate worlds come together in a tidal flow of estuary water and native wildlife, making for an unforgettable journey.
Impacts of Human Activity
Unfortunately, most of the delta is populated by people as well as wildlife, primarily in coastal Louisiana. Closely connected to the shore, residents here are dramatically affected by the slightest changes in the river’s course. People of the delta depend on the river for drinking, irrigation, and transportation; however, over the past century, poor land management decisions and the building of a massive levee system have caused the delta to lose nearly 2,000 square miles of natural wetlands.
The resulting erosion is compounded by the effects of climate change and rising sea levels. What’s more, an annual draw of nearly 1.25 trillion gallons of water from the Mississippi helps to create a constant state of drought. And with fewer wetlands in place to absorb storm surges, hurricanes become even more damaging across the region.
How the Delta is Impacting the Globe
In the wake of these changes, the delta continues to morph. Since the river was sufficiently dyked to prevent its waters from spilling into the sea, sediment has instead been spread unevenly into the Gulf. Today, the delta is wider in some places and thinner in others, further shifting the navigational channels within the estuary.
The delta’s transformation has had a significant impact beyond the region, too. The area is credited with creating the world’s seventh-largest delta plain, supplying nearly a third of all sediment to the ocean. This influx has created an array of new shipping channels, influencing trade routes from Europe to the United States, and resulting in a huge economic benefit for Louisiana. This benefit is also seen in the Gulf fisheries; the abundance of nutrients in the delta encourages large numbers of shrimp and oysters to flourish, driving local fisheries.
Conservation Efforts
Without targeted citizenship efforts, the delta is doomed to environmental breakdown. Citizens of the delta are heavily involved with grassroots efforts to restore the delta’s unique landscape — mainly by planting the cypress trees that were once abundant here. As the cypress stores outtake sediment and helps it to build up on the surface, restoring the wetlands becomes a realistic goal.
After centuries of shaping the delta, these restoration attempts are slowly having an impact. Several eco-friendly tourism operations have also opened up in recent years, focusing on helping people to explore and enjoy the Mississippi Delta. Yet, until sufficient steps are taken, the delta will remain fragile and at the mercy of natural disasters.
Preserving the Ecosystems of the Delta
The future of the Mississippi River Delta lies solely in the hands of the people who live and work around it. Raising awareness on the effects of global climate change, proposing government regulation of land use and encouraging the development of a comprehensive conservation plan are a few of the steps that the river delta’s citizens can take.
In recent years, scientists and environmentalists have pushed for a number of large-scale restoration projects. Chief among them is the 2016 Mississippi River Diversion System Project. This project, if successful, would create sediment diversions—essentially man-made tributaries—that would simulate the natural flow of sediment from the Mississippi River, replenishing the delta and rebuilding the wetlands.
The Future of the Delta
Today, the fate of the delta hangs in the balance. Human impact, along with sea level rise and severe storms, has put a devastating strain on the wetlands’ ancient structures. Without change headed their way soon, the delta could continue to erode and slowly become a place barely recognizable from its rich and vibrant former self.
However, with decisive action and creative conservation methods, the delta can be revived. Now more than ever, we are presented with an extraordinary opportunity to come together and protect this unique ecosystem. With proper help and support, the future of the Mississippi River Delta can be a bright one.
Managing the River for a Sustainable Future
America’s rivers can tell a lot about the history and culture of our country. But in order to preserve the Mississippi and its delta, experts suggest taking a few key steps. This starts with designing better construction practices that are in harmony with nature’s cycles. The use of technology might also help to reduce water consumption, better prevent heavy sediment flows, and create opportunities to restore wetlands. Ultimately, this could mean a more sustainable future for the Mississippi.
Other solutions include creating more comprehensive floodplain regulations, as well as restoring sediments throughout the river basin. To do this, organizations such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency could work together to develop a stronger plan for managing the river.
The Value of Nature-Based Solutions
Nature-based solutions — such as preserving wetlands, restoring rivers, conserving mangroves and creating floodplain forests — can all help to protect our rivers and the delta while allowing water to flow more freely. These solutions use the power of the river to help maintain sediment flow and prevent flooding, and may even help to increase the fertility of the surrounding lands, creating better habitats for the local wildlife.
What’s more, emphasizing the importance of wetlands can have a long-term, widespread benefit for the delta. Wetlands act as natural sponges for storms, absorbing huge amounts of water and preventing destruction and flooding. Furthermore, restoring a healthy delta can help to raise property values, increase tourism, and provide new recreational opportunities for the area.
Protecting the Mouth of the Mississippi
Preserving the mouth of the Mississippi is our responsibility as a nation. Our goal should be to protect this unique ecosystem, while also preserving its vital economic and recreational benefits. From improved floodplain regulations to large-scale restoration projects, there are many ways to bring the delta back to life.
This will require a united effort, one that focuses on preserving the delta while allowing responsible development and protecting the livelihoods of its citizens. With the right tools and a commitment to the environment, the mouth of the Mississippi River can be stabilized to ensure present and future generations have the opportunity to experience and appreciate its beauty.
