Background Information
The Mississippi River has long been a part of the fabric of the United States. Before it was discovered and mapped in the late 18th century, the river had been part of the daily lives of the indigenous people living in the region for many centuries. For Native Americans, it was a trade route as well as one of the few reliable sources of drinking water.
We know that Native Americans long inhabited societies along its banks, but the discoverer of the river is shrouded in history and folklore. Native American tribes, including the Sioux and the Choctaw, have long been purported to be amongst the first to have encountered and mapped the Mississippi River.
1512
The most widely accepted claim ties the discovery of the Mississippi River to the Spanish explorer and historian Hernando de Soto. According to the stories, de Soto stumbled upon the river in 1512 somewhere near the mouth of the Missouri River. However, this claim is controversial – some historians dispute this assertion and it’s difficult to know for certain who discovered the river.
The Louis Jolliet and Father Marquette Expedition
In the eyes of many historians, it was French explorer Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette who are largely responsible for the discovery of the Mississippi. On May 17, 1673, Jolliet and his fellow travelers left from the shores of the St. Lawrence River in what is now called Quebec. Traveling down the Illinois River, they eventually reached the Mississippi. It is believed they passed by the mouths of the Ohio and Missouri Rivers after paddling south to the delta.
During the 1680s and early 1690s, French explorers and traders continued to map and explore the course of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. In 1682, Robert de la Salle and Henri de Tonti descended the Mississippi in an effort to find a passage to the Gulf of Mexico.
The American Revolution
The American Revolution changed the course of history for the Mississippi River, as well as for the entire United States. After gaining independence from Great Britain in 1783, the U.S. was able to claim the land that included the Mississippi and its tributaries. This meant that the river was now wholly within the boundaries of the newly formed country.
The period following the American Revolution saw the Mississippi River bloom with activity from both the military and commercial industries. The river quickly became a vital transport route for exports, as well as for military personnel, equipment and supplies heading westward.
Lewis and Clark
Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are well-known in American history textbooks for their travels along the Mississippi River and great contribution to its understanding. In 1804, they were charged by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the vast Louisiana Purchase, document the country and establish peaceful relations with Native American tribes. The journey lasted three years and, although their group did not make it to the end of the Mississippi, they provided a great deal of detailed information and accounts of the river and its tributaries.
river engineering
The second half of the 19th century saw the growth and development of the Mississippi River as a result of a number of engineering and infrastructure projects. This was a period in which locks and dams were constructed, steamboats began to ply the river and railroads facilitated faster movement of goods and passengers.
In the early 20th century, the United States Army Corps of Engineers continued to develop the river by building levees, cutting canals and constructing navigation aids. These engineering feats helped to open the floodplain and made possible the increased production of food that were essential in meeting the demands of all of the newly emerging markets.
contemporary times
In modern times, the Mississippi River is a source of life and a major source of shipping and commerce, with billions of tons of freight moving on its waters each year. Over 10 million people live in the 1,000-mile long basin that that drains into the Mississippi, and access to its resources has been important in changing the course of the region’s history.
As the region changes and with technology advancing, the importance of the Mississippi River can only be expected to increase. As the perception of the river changes and more recreational activities become available, the Mississippi River offers much to the communities that border its banks and to the nation as a whole.
conservation initiatives
Preserving and protecting the Mississippi River has long been an issue of central importance to environmental and conservation groups, as well as to local governments in the regions that it runs through. Rising levels of water pollution, deforestation of its banks and the presence of invasive species have all combined to endanger the river’s ecology.
In recent years, efforts have been made to reduce the impact of human activities and restore the Mississippi River to its former glory. A number of conservation initiatives have been launched and public education campaigns are helping to raise awareness of the importance of protecting this precious natural resource.
Pollution and Degradation
The waters of the Mississippi are regularly polluted due to industrial and agricultural runoff from states along its banks.It is estimated that more than 100,000 tons of pollutants end up in the river every day which then results in its waters becoming highly toxic. Sewage and agricultural chemicals leak into the waters and further result in the spread of toxic algae blooms and other environmental problems.The destruction of mangrove forests on the banks of the river has further led to an increased level of erosion, degradation and destruction of the river system.
Wildlife and Habitat destruction
The destruction of the wildlife and habitats in the river system is a major cause of concern. native fish species like the paddlefish and sturgeon have been drastically reduced due to the destruction of their habitats and the influx of nonnative species that are better adapted to the changing environment. Additionally, the destruction of its banks is resulting in a decrease in the number of birds and other animals that rely on the river for food and shelter.
Loss of Wetlands
The destruction of wetlands in the Mississippi River Delta is another huge cause of concern. With more than 75 percent of the wetlands in the delta having been lost due to human activity, the remaining 25 percent need to be protected and conserved to ensure the survival of the richer wildlife habitats. This will help to preserve the natural flow of the river, which is crucial for the maintenance of the water quality.
Impact on the Local Economy
The degradation of the Mississippi River is having a negative impact on the local economy in the region. Balancing the need to develop the river while preserving its ecological balance is a difficult task, as it means reining in economic activities that deplete or destroy the fragile ecosystems in the river. The loss of water sources due to depleted wetlands and water pollution has led to the interruption of businesses and livelihoods which depend on the river.
