Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is considered one of the most important rivers of the United States for political, economic and environmental reasons. According to the US Geological Survey, the Mississippi River is the fourth longest river in the world, when considering both its length and the combined length of its tributaries. The total length of the Mississippi River is 2,320 miles, making it longer than the Colorado River.
The Mississippi River has long been an important waterway, connecting the east and west regions of the United States. The river is also the primary source of water for approximately eighteen million people living within its drainage basin. Additionally, the Mississippi is an incredibly important source of transportation, providing crude oil, natural gas, agricultural products, and timber to vast areas in the U.S.
Politically, the river has played an important role in the American economy as well as in foreign affairs. In the 19th century, the United States fought numerous wars with the Native American Indian nations for control of the Mississippi River. This historical event gave birth to the nation’s first interstate commerce regulations, spurring the development of much of the modern American economy.
In the 21st century, the Mississippi River still provides drinking water, transportation, and recreation opportunities for the citizens of the United States. Its importance has only grown due to ongoing efforts by the U.S. government to clean-up and improve its quality. Yearly, millions of gallons of fish, birds, and other wildlife rely upon the Mississippi River as a source of food and shelter.
In conclusion, the Mississippi River is the fourth longest river in the world, significantly longer than the Colorado River. It is an incredibly important waterway, politically and economically, and supports the United States in a myriad of ways.
Colorado River
The Colorado River stands out among the other major rivers in the United States due to its unique geography. Its 1,450 miles course passes through seven U.S. states, the Grand Canyon, and two Mexican states, making the Colorado River the fifth longest river in the country.
The Colorado River plays an important role in the ecology of the Southwestern United States, providing water to thirty million people, sustaining agricultural activities and electricity generation, and supplying water resources to 7 national parks and 23 wildlife reserves.
The Colorado River is known for its incredible beauty and offers a wide variety of activities, such as rafting, fishing, camping, and boating. Tourism along the river contributes millions of dollars to local economies each year.
The Colorado River has received attention from the federal government in recent years due to declining water levels and related environmental issues. Many cities, such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, rely heavily on the Colorado River for their drinking water.
The government has invested significant resources in restoring and maintaining the health of the Colorado River. This includes the implementation of water conservation measures, construction of new dams and reservoirs, and the improvement of aquatic ecosystems and water quality.
In conclusion, the Colorado River is, significantly shorter than the Mississippi River, but is still a vital waterway. It plays an important role in the ecology of the region, supplies drinking water to millions of people, and serves as a source of recreation and tourism.
Environmental Impact
The comparison of the Mississippi River versus the Colorado River is incomplete without factoring in the environmental impact of each river. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, both rivers have been manipulated by humans in an effort to protect against flooding, to create hydroelectric power and to serve as a source of drinking water.
The damming of the Colorado River has had a negative impact on the environment by restricting the amount of water downstream and causing water levels to drop significantly. The river’s natural habitats have been seriously affected due to the introduction of invasive species and the over-extraction of water for agricultural, commercial and recreational purposes.
The effects of the dams on the Colorado River have also resulted in declining fish populations and a shift in vegetation communities. In addition, the polluted water has caused an increase in health problems in humans and animals living downstream of the river.
The effects of the Mississippi River have been more severe than those of the Colorado River. The Mississippi has been heavily manipulated for more than one hundred years with little regard for the negative environmental impacts.
Pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, and industry have drastically altered the river’s habitats, resulting in the destruction of aquatic life and the release of toxins into the water. In addition, the river has also been affected by fertilizer and pesticide runoff from farms, leading to eutrophication.
In conclusion, both the Mississippi River and the Colorado River have been manipulated for human profit, leading to a decrease in the health of the rivers and their surrounding habitats.
Pollution Effects
The effects of pollution on these two rivers have been especially devastating. The industrial pollutants, pesticides and fertilizers discharged into the rivers by factories and farms have created hazardous aquatic environments which continue to threaten the health of the plants and animals living in and along the two rivers.
The Mississippi River carries a vast amount of industrial pollutants, such as mercury, lead, and nitrates, into the Gulf of Mexico. These pollutants reach far beyond the Mississippi Delta and endanger the health of aquatic life throughout the entire Gulf of Mexico. The river is also the primary source of nutrients for the Gulf’s hypoxic zone, which is an area of water with extremely low oxygen levels.
The Colorado River is also polluted with hazardous materials, but to a lesser extent than the Mississippi. Nevertheless, these pollutants have still had an adverse effect on the river’s ecology, resulting in an increase in water-borne illnesses among humans and a decrease in the diversity of animal species.
In conclusion, the pollution from both of these rivers has led to negative effects on the environment, such as the destruction of habitats and the poisoning of aquatic life.
Compare and Contrast
The Mississippi River and the Colorado River are two of the most important rivers in the United States. While the Mississippi River is the fourth longest river in the world, the Colorado River is the fifth longest. The Mississippi River supports the United States in a myriad of ways, including supplying the east and west regions with transportation, drinking water, and recreational opportunities. The Colorado River is considered vital to the ecology of the Southwestern United States due to its association with seven U.S. states, two Mexican states, the Grand Canyon, and numerous national parks and wildlife reserves.
The two rivers also have similar negative associations, including water pollution and declining water levels. The Mississippi River is far more polluted with industrial pollutants and sewage than the Colorado River, causing adverse effects on plants, animals, and people living in and around the river. The Colorado River has also been affected by pollution and has struggled with water levels due to the construction of dams and reservoirs.
In conclusion, the Mississippi River and the Colorado River are both important waterways in the United States, but there are significant differences in their lengths, ecological significance, and pollution levels.
Conclusion
Overall, the Mississippi River is longer than The Colorado River. It plays an important role in the American economy and ecology, providing transportation, water resources, and recreation opportunities to vast parts of the United States. The Colorado River is historically, ecologically, and politically significant and is a vital source of water for the Southwestern United States. Both rivers have been severely affected by pollution, resulting in negative impacts on the environment, marine life, and human health.
