{"id":10131,"date":"2024-02-07T12:05:20","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T11:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=10131"},"modified":"2024-02-07T12:05:20","modified_gmt":"2024-02-07T11:05:20","slug":"how-much-of-the-mississippi-river-is-drying-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/how-much-of-the-mississippi-river-is-drying-up\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Of The Mississippi River Is Drying Up"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What is Causing the Mississippi River to Dry Up?<\/h2>\n

Recently, reports have pointed to an alarming trend; the Mississippi river is drying up at an alarming rate. It’s estimated that the Mississippi has decreased by an average of around one foot per year. This not only affects the wildlife, ecosystems and various industries that rely on the health of the river, but it also impacts the millions of people who use it for irrigation, trade and much more. But what is causing this river to dry up?<\/p>\n

Recent studies have looked at the amount of water being drained from the river. In the past, the main sources of the river’s water were precipitation and glacial runoff from the Great Lakes and other nearby waterways. In recent years, however, the water levels have dropped significantly due to a combination of factors, such as overuse, climate change and other environmental problems. Overuse of the river for irrigation, shipping and industry has caused large amounts of water to be drawn from the river and its tributaries, leading to LESS water than before. This has led to even less water being available for the river, due to overuse of the river for human needs.<\/p>\n

Additionally, climate change has affected the water supply of the Mississippi. Global warming has caused the average temperature to rise, and as a result, much of the precipitation that was once available is now evaporating before it even reaches the river. This lack of water has also caused salt water to seep into the riverbed, affecting the quality of the water and making it dangerous and uninhabitable for certain species of fish and wildlife. Finally, poor land management practices, such as deforestation and agricultural runoff, have disrupted the natural flow of rivers and tributaries, further contributing to the decrease in water levels.<\/p>\n

What are the Solutions to Reversing the Trend?<\/h2>\n