Background Information
The Mississippi River is one of America’s most iconic locations and arguably its most important waterway. Spanning some 2,340 miles from its source near Lake Itasca, Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico, the river within its region is a huge resource for both the environment and people. In April 2021, however, much of the river and its tributaries saw huge reductions in flow, with some portions of it drying up along with many of its associated wetlands.
Background Causes
In recent years, the environment in the Mississippi River’s region has undergone drastic changes. High levels of agricultural runoff have led to an increase in sediment and nutrient loading, which in turn has resulted in the river becoming increasingly shallow and narrow. In addition, climate change has been a major factor in the increased drought-like conditions along the Mississippi River, particularly in 2021, when a severe snow drought delayed the start of the snow melt and spring runoff. All of these conditions, combined with the lack of rainfall, has contributed to extremely low river levels.
Data and Perspective from Experts
According to experts, the cause of the Mississippi River drying up can be attributed to several factors, including human activities, climate change, and insufficient water management. Studies show that human activities such as water diversion and over-extraction of groundwater can reduce the river’s flow by up to 20%. Climate change has also decreased the amount of rainfall in the region, resulting in reduced surface water runoff. In addition, due to an increase in population and water demands in the area, water management efforts have been insufficient to compensate for the low river flow.
My Analysis
The combination of human activity, climate change, and inadequate water management has caused the Mississippi River to extremely low levels. This ecological crisis should not be taken lightly, as it threatens both biodiversity and water security in the region. Solutions to these issues require drastic measures to improve water usage and conservation. It is essential that governments and organizations foster a protective and supportive environment for local ecosystems, further research into strategies to adapt to changing climate conditions, and better incentivize water relevant activities that promote sustainability.
Intrastate Management
At an intrastate level, many measures have been taken to remedy the situation. The state government of Minnesota has recently passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, which will dedicate $197 million to protecting water sources such as the Mississippi River. In addition, the state has set up the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area, which covers much of the river between Lake Itasca and Louisiana, and is responsible for ensuring that local policies support the health of the river and its tributaries.
Economic and Legal Challenges
Despite the efforts being made to protect the Mississippi River, there are still many economic and legal challenges that must be addressed. The main challenge is determining who will ultimately be responsible and held accountable for their decisions when it comes to river management. Even though the state government has created a procedure to govern the use of the waterfront, its enforceability has been debated, and many stakeholders remain skeptical of the answerability of the public sector in relation to environmental degradation.
International Involvement
At an international level, the Mississippi River Model International Water Collaborative Act of 2021 was recently signed into law, creating a joint venture between the United States, Mexico and Canada to promote sustainable water management in the region. This collaboration seeks to promote cooperation and resource sharing among stakeholders, with Mexico and Canada providing much-needed environmental expertise in the areas of water conservation and watershed protection.
Commercial and Recreational Impact
The deteriorating state of the Mississippi river’s water quality has had significant commercial and recreational impacts in the area. Pollution and sedimentation have made the water unsuitable for many of the businesses that rely on it, such as fishing and tourism. Additionally, the safety of recreational activities in the river has become increasingly unsafe due to the toxic runoff and unstable currents.
Technology and Education
Advances in technology have helped to measure the health of the river and aid in the prediction of potential water shortages. Additionally, the Mississippi River Alliance has a wide range of programs and initiatives focused on education and awareness of environmental issues involving the waterway. These programs have helped to bring environmental education to the forefront and have had a positive impact on local communities in regards to river conservation.
Behavioral Adaptations
With the Mississippi River’s ongoing water problems, surrounding communities have been forced to make behavioral adaptations in order to cope. Many have started engaging in activities like water harvesting and conservation to prevent further water depletion. In addition, local businesses have implemented new strategies such as reducing water consumption and waste, as well as looking for alternative sources of energy.
Environmental Restoration
Restoration efforts have been undertaken to combat river deteriorating conditions. These initiatives include wetland restoration projects, which aim to rehabilitate the ecosystems upstream by restoring vegetation and reintroducing native species. In addition, advanced wastewater management techniques such as nutrient management and advanced nutrient removal systems have been implemented in certain areas which help to reduce the amount of contaminants entering the river.
Conclusion
The drying up of the Mississippi River has been a major concern for environmentalists and local communities alike. The detrimental effects of human activity, climate change, and inadequate water management have been the primary drivers of this ecological crisis. It is of utmost importance that governments and organizations take quick action to prevent further damage to the region and to support the various projects and initiatives which are aimed at restoring and protecting the river.
