As the level of water in the Mississippi River continues to drop, the extent of the damage done to local ecosystems and the people who depend on it becomes more apparent. The river, usually brimming with life, appears to be drying up, leaving fish and plant species without their crucial habitats.
In the past, flooding has been a natural occurrence in the Mississippi’s basin, allowing plants and animals to adapt and thrive. Currently, however, the river’s water levels have been decreasing drastically due to a combination of rising temperatures, deteriorating soil quality, and over-consumption of water resources.
The impacts of the Mississippi’s water levels drying up have been felt throughout its region. Local wildlife have been forced to adapt to the changing environment, such as the alligator, whose food supply relies on the wetland habitats. Local human communities, too, have been put under immense pressure to adjust their livelihoods and make up for the depleting resources. Agriculture, in particular, has been given the biggest blow from the decreasing water levels, since crops rely on the moisture of the soil to grow.
The drying of the Mississippi River was foreseen long before the current drought began. Engineers and hydrologists warned that over-engineering the tributaries of the river, the diversion of water to the Great Lakes, and the construction of numerous dams and levees would eventually cause the abandonment of natural terrains, putting the river’s state of health at risk.
In an attempt to revive the river, the government is focusing on initiatives such as payback regulation, wetland restoration, and fish and wildlife habitat protection. Despite these efforts, the river remains on the road to extinction with no foreseeable relief in sight.
Governments and experts alike have had to collaborate and develop strategies to conserve the river’s health, but with temperatures and water levels continuing to rise, many are worried there won’t be much left of the once-great river to save. In the interim, citizens must work to limit further damage from pollution and refrain from wasting water in order to ensure the river and its inhabitants can continue to thrive.
Drainage and Drought
The Mississippi River basin is prone to both floods and droughts due to the soft, porous soil and hilly terrain that cover it. In times of drought, the moist soil becomes dry and cracked, allowing river water to easily seep away, leaving vast stretches of the river bed bereft of water.
Floods, meanwhile, are caused by large amounts of rainfall in a short period of time and can cause huge amounts of damage. The floods cause the water to rise rapidly creating rapid flooding along the Mississippi, putting massive strain on the levees and causing significant damage to the surrounding areas.
Additionally, further drainage of surrounding wetlands for agricultural, residential and commercial purposes result in further loss of water, reducing the amount of water available for rivers such as the Mississippi. This lack of water makes it increasingly difficult for the rivers to withstand droughts as well as periods of heavy rainfall, resulting in further drying of the river.
Industrial Pollution
Pollution is an additional cause of the Mississippi River’s decreased water levels. Industrial and agricultural runoff is pumped into the main flow of the river, resulting in the mixing of toxic materials with the water and leaching of essential minerals and nutrients.
This pollution often accumulates at the bottom of rivers, increasing the turbidity of its waters and inhibiting the growth of aquatic life. Furthermore, runoff from various chemical dumping sites poses a threat to the water, releasing hazardous material into the river, resulting in health issues for the food chain and its associated animals.
In order to address some of these issues, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has instituted a number of water quality control measures, such as water quality criteria and pollution prevention regulations. By limiting the amount of runoff that can be added to a body of water, as well as monitoring water quality in nearby streams and lakes, the EPA hopes to minimize the effects of pollution on the water quality of the Mississippi River.
Over-Consumption of Water
The over-consumption of water is another factor contributing to the decline of the Mississippi River. The growth of the region’s agricultural industry and population has caused an increase in demand for water, while the lack of proper conservation practices has resulted in the over-extraction of water from the river. This leads to a decrease in the water levels of the river, thus damaging the natural ecosystems which rely on it for its resources.
To combat over-consumption, both federal and local governments have put conservation programs in place, mandating citizens to use water in a responsible and sustainable manner. Additionally, the use of water filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis and vermiculite, has been encouraged in order to reduce the consumption of water.
Climate Change
A key factor contributing to the Mississippi’s drying up is climate change. Rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns have dramatically altered the river’s natural pattern of flooding and ebbing. As the winter temperatures have grown milder, the amount of rainfall has decreased, leading to water shortages and more frequent and severe droughts.
Furthermore, fertilizers from farms and cities pollute the soil and rivers, further contributing to the degradation of the river and its associated ecosystems. Additionally, as the temperature rises, the amount of water available for evaporation increases, further reducing the amount of water in the river.
To address this issue, steps must be taken to limit both the effects of climate change and the usage of harmful pollutants. The public, too, must continue to participate in conservation activities, reducing their water and energy footprints in an effort to slow the progress of global warming.
Conclusion
The drying of the Mississippi River has been caused by a combination of increased temperatures, over-consumption of water, industrial pollutants and climate change. These issues have had drastic effects on human communities and local wildlife, leaving them struggling to adapt to the changing environment. As the problem persists and worsens, experts and governments must continue to develop solutions to protect and restore the river.
