Exploring the Upper Mississippi River
The Upper Mississippi River is a culturally significant area for many reasons. It is a vital thoroughfare for both leisure and commercial uses and serves as a primary source of drinking water, home to many endangered species, and a vital component of some of the largest wetland complexes in North America. Because of its size and significance, this great river has seen numerous explorers and adventurers pass through its depth over the years.
Most notably, the Upper Mississippi River’s exploration heavily began with the expedition of French Canadian traders Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette and voyageur-courier, Sieur de La Salle, in 1673. Jolliet and Marquette were sent out by the Governor of New France to explore the area, and although they hatched several plans and engaged in numerous trade negotiations with the many Native American tribes during their time in the region, their biggest accomplishment is generally lauded as the mapping of the Upper Mississippi.
Following this, other explorers of note that traveled and documented the region include the Jesuit Father Louis Hennepin, who documented many locations that the river travels through in the late 17th century, as well as Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle, and France’s Antoine de LaMothe Cadillac in the early part of the 18th century.
It wasn’t until 1804 that the United States would send an official expedition, headed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, to survey the region. Their famous ‘Corps of Discovery’ mission was, at the very least, successful in documenting the river basin and contributing to the more than 500 page journal that was compiled afterwards with detailed handwritten accounts of their voyage.
Military Expedition along the Upper Mississippi
In the mid-19th century military expeditions began to be conducted along the Upper Mississippi by both the United States and Britain. This period marked the start of the tug-of-war between the two powerhouses for control of the area and as a result, soldiers were dispatched in order to collect intelligence. One of the most important reasons for these expeditions was that it increased the knowledge of the area, especially for the several forts which were built along the Mississippi to protect upstream commerce from Indian attack.
During this period, the United States Army additionally aided the movement of steamboat traffic through the region by removing obstacles and building canals, locks and dams to make navigation along the length of the river easier. They also enacted legislation to protect navigable streams.
Enduring Explorations
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, military and civilian explorers continued to survey the river with little interruption – the primary goal being to maximize the amount of usable water in the Mississippi River Basin and to protect the area’s resources.
Beginning in 1915, army engineer and public health official Hugh L. Cooper led a two-year mission that sought to better understand water pollution in the Upper Mississippi. His three-member team surveyed the area in multiple phases and identified over one thousand issues impacting water quality. It is his work that is largely responsible for modern environment protection initiatives.
Similarly, the Corps of Engineers’ 1925-1930 Waterways Experiment Station led by Elmo Yancy sought to better understand the hydrology of the waterway, collecting samples from the entire river to study its sediment transport, navigation potential and water quality. This mission produced invaluable for constructing navigation projects and maximizing the river’s potential for recreation.
Investigations by the Army Corps of Engineers
The Army Corps of Engineers conducted numerous investigations to improve the navigation of the river over the course of several decades. Between 1947 and 1989, their Navigation Data Center (NDC) collected thousands of records on hydrology, navigation and operations on the Mississippi. While they mostly investigated the lower reaches of the Mississippi, the NDC surveying team did investigate many significant reaches of the Upper Mississippi.
The NDC’s work was followed by the Navigation Systems Support Center which aimed to compile the vast amount of navigational data collected over the decades. Their surveys revealed many difficulties posed by the river for navigation purposes, such as shoals and high siltation rates in many areas.
From Explorers to Conservationists
While the earliest explorers of the Upper Mississippi sought to unlock the potential of the region for their own purposes, the adventurers and researchers of more recent decades seek to ensure that these resources are protected and well managed.
The Benton-McKaye Trail, which is a multi-state hiking trail that traverses the length of the Upper Mississippi, has brought awareness to millions of paddlers, hikers and explorers to the unique cultural and natural resources of the river. The trail is more than 1400-miles long and runs through several states and several national parks.
This brings attention to the need to balance the resources of the region and to maintain the importance of the Upper Mississippi’s economic function. There are organizations that are working to build public support for the conservation of the river and providing educational programs about its uniqueness and its value to the region.
Scientific Popularization of the Upper Mississippi
In recent years, an increasing number of scientific studies have been conducted to better understand the Upper Mississippi River, such as a four-year US Geological Survey study in 2011, to accurately measure the baseline of the river’s river biology, hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and water quality.
Educational programs have also been organized to popularize the scientific information about the Upper Mississippi, such as the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee’s popular summer field courses, which introduces students and members of the public to field research, learning methods such as global positioning system technology and river sampling methods.
Additional educational programs, such as the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association, are dedicated to connecting the public with the region, inspiring citizens to better understand the ecology of the river and its importance to the region. There are also ‘Friends of the Upper Mississippi River’ organizations which seek to create a community of people who rely on the river and its resources.
Long Term Focus on Sustainability
Organizations like the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge are committed to conserving the entire river system and managing the resources within its region. This also includes control of invasive species, re-introduction of protected species, and restoration of wetlands, streams, and riparian corridors.
In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Upper Mississippi, it is essential that the organizations engaged in active management of the river remain focused on the ecological protection of the river and its resources. Many are now actively engaging in integrating environmental justice through their projects, acknowledging that since river resources are limited, a concerted regional plan is necessary to ensure equitable and sustainable access.
Exploring the Eco-system of the Upper Mississippi
The Upper Mississippi River is a complex web of diverse life. It is one of the most diverse locations in the United States and is home to over 250 species of plants, 220 species of birds, and 53 species of fish. It is also connected to many wetlands, floodplain forests, and other riparian habitats, creating a connected and vibrant system that provide the foundation for a unique aquatic ecosystem.
Though it is the humans who affect the Upper Mississippi the most, the river has its own system of checks and balances. In spite of the presence of dams and levees, the river can still move sediment, which keeps the river and surrounding ecosystems healthy.
Managed Recreational Use of the Upper Mississippi
The Upper Mississippi is regularly used for recreation, from fishing and boating to bald eagle watching, and is a popular tourist destination. With that in mind, the refuge is determined to make sure that the resources provided by the river are managed sustainably and responsibly, ensuring that current and future generations can enjoy its beauty.
Access to the river is managed for both safety and preservation reasons, with areas of the river designated for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking and special areas set aside for bird watching. This system of managed recreational use helps to ensure that the delicate and unique ecosystem of the Upper Mississippi is not compromised by recreational activities.
Conclusion
The exploration of the Upper Mississippi River has seen a long and varied history, from man’s earliest of expeditions to the cutting-edge scientific research of today. From the ruthless military expeditions of the 18th century to the modern conservation efforts of organizations like the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee and the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, the Upper Mississippi has been and will continue to be a vital resource for communities all along its length.
