Background information
The Mississippi river, also known as the ‘Father of Waters’, is one of the longest rivers in North America and is a major driver of the US economy, supplying crucial drinking water, travel, and navigation. It also serves as a crucial migratory path for animals, providing habitats for more than 130 species of fish. The communities that face its banks are the ones who are most at risk from Mississippi river flooding due to their close proximity to the water and to any potentially deadly floods it may bring.
Relevant Data
Flooding on the Mississippi River is a major issue, with catastrophic events such as the flooding of New Orleans during 2005’s Hurricane Katrina being a tragic example of the power of nature. The damage such events can cause is looking increasingly likely. The US government’s National Climate Assessment predicts that by the 2050s, climate change will cause significant increases in floods throughout the Mississippi River watershed. In 2021, the Mississippi River is again facing floods following spring rains, with forecasts showing the water level peaking at 45.7 feet at St. Louis on June 10th.
Perspectives from experts
The flooding of the Mississippi River is a multifaceted problem that has been studied extensively by experts in order to try and mitigate the damage it inflicted with respect of economic losses and casualties. Professor Mark Humed from the University of Mississippi defines the phenomenon to be ‘a combination of natural forces, human manipulation of the environment, and climate’. He notes that of these three elements, the human one has the most potential to mitigate the destructive force of flooding.
Dr. Aaron Stiles, a river ecologist with the US Geological Survey, notes that there are two primary factors driving floods in the Mississippi River Basin. The first is the activity of the Mississippi River itself, which consists of water from multiple sources, including precipitation and run-off, that eventually swell its banks. The second is an anthropogenic factor, the fact that rivers and streams in the basin have been channelized and dams have been cut in, restricting their ability to absorb excess water during flooding.
Own insights and analysis
Despite the immense effort and resources poured into trying to mitigate the effects of flooding, significant economic and human losses still take place every year. This is due to a variety of factors, not all of them controllable by humans. The Mississippi River carries a massive amount of water, and despite activities designed to slow it down, it will always overflow its banks and cause destruction.
In addition, climate change has exacerbated the severity of floods all over the world, including in the Mississippi River Basin. The effects of rising global temperatures, such as increased precipitation, increased snowmelt run-off, and accelerated evaporation cycles, are all contributing to the chaotic nature of floods in the basin.
One thing is certain: flooding in the Mississippi Basin will continue to happen, and it is essential that effective mitigation plans are implemented in order to reduce the economic and human losses that accompany it.
Future Plans to Mitigate Flooding
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the US government implemented the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidies for individuals and businesses to buy insurance policies for flood damage. This policy provides payments to those affected by floods, but it has also been suggested that it encourages people to build homes in flood-prone areas, leading to increased potential for destruction in the future.
In the future, experts suggest some long-term initiatives to help mitigate the destructive force of flooding. These include increasing reservoir capacity, planting vegetation in rivers and streams to slow the flow of water and improve water absorption, implementing best practices to reduce soil erosion and release of runoff, and increasing public awareness programs to educate citizens on effective flood evacuation and response.
Alternative Solutions
In addition to the long-term initiatives outlined above, there are also alternative solutions that have been put forward by various experts as ways of mitigating the effects of flooding in the Mississippi basin. Some of these include: implementing levee systems to contain the flow of water; dredging sediment from rivers to increase the amount of flow capacity; and building barrier islands to absorb and slow the power of waves.
These alternative solutions, however, have been met with criticism from some quarters, with some arguing that they will be ineffective in the long term, and that they could cause further destruction of habitats and ecosystems in the basin.
Financial Implications
It goes without saying that the implementation of long-term solutions to mitigate flooding comes with a hefty financial burden. Mitigating flooding in the Mississippi basin is estimated to cost billions of dollars and will require a multi-pronged approach. This includes investments in infrastructure, public awareness programs, and research and development initiatives. In addition to this, it will also require a shift away from traditional thinking and practices.
It is clear that the damage caused by flooding, both in the US and around the world, has already come at a high cost and will continue to do so in the future if it is not addressed.
Unexpected Consequences
In addition to the economic and human destruction caused by flooding, another significant consequence is the destruction of habitats for wildlife. The flooding of the Mississippi river can interrupt the regular migrations of animals, as well as destroying their breeding grounds and habitats. For example, during the 2005 floods, some areas saw a decrease in fish species by up to 90%, causing massive disruption to the local ecosystem.
This destruction of habitats, coupled with a lack of financial and political will to address it, has further exacerbated the impact of flooding in the Mississippi basin.
Environmental Impacts
The environmental impact of flooding on the Mississippi River is severe. In addition to the displacement of communities and destruction of habitats, floods can cause serious damage to local ecosystems. According to the US Geological Survey, floods can wash away large amounts of soil, reducing water quality, and can also carry toxic chemicals and heavy metals, leading to failures in water treatment systems and water contamination.
Furthermore, floods can also trigger algal blooms, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels in water and an increase in potentially hazardous bacteria and fungi, adding further strain to local ecosystems.
Practical Mitigation Strategies
In order to effectively mitigate the devastating effects of flooding on the Mississippi River, a range of strategies must be implemented. These strategies include the use of early warning systems, large-scale structural solutions, such as levees, and the imposition of zoning laws and regulations to protect at-risk areas. In addition, efforts should be made to increase public awareness of the potential danger of floods and the need to take steps to reduce the risk.
Ultimately, the key to mitigating the destructive nature of floods in the Mississippi River Basin is to create a well rounded approach that takes into account both structural and practical solutions, as well as individual and societal changes.
