{"id":10488,"date":"2023-10-31T22:10:25","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T21:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=10488"},"modified":"2023-10-31T22:10:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T21:10:25","slug":"do-lakes-affect-the-health-of-the-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/do-lakes-affect-the-health-of-the-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Lakes Affect The Health Of The Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Health Impacts of Lakes on the Mississippi River<\/h2>\n

The health of the Mississippi River is a major concern for environmental advocates and policymakers. It is a major ecological and waterway system in America and its health is determined by the quality and quantity of both its surface and groundwater resources. One possible factor that sometimes affects the health of the Mississippi is the presence of lakes in its vicinity. Therefore, it is important to understand how they impact its well-being.<\/p>\n

Lakes are bodies of standing water that have formed over time due to various topographical and geological factors. They contain a wealth of aquatic life and are often used as tourist attractions and as sources of drinking water. Long a source of recreation and sustenance to many people, lakes have recently come under scrutiny as potential pollution sources that could affect the health of the Mississippi River.<\/p>\n

It is known that lakes impact the Mississippi’s water quality by contributing runoff containing sediment, nutrients, and pollutants into the river. The presence of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous, for example, can alter the chemical makeup of the Mississippi’s waters and disrupt the river’s aquatic ecosystem. This can lead to water-clarity issues and the development of large algal blooms which can block the passage of ships and otherwise cause ecological disruption.<\/p>\n

In addition, some scientists believe that the presence of lakes in an area can accelerate the formation of eutrophication in the Mississippi river. This occurs when nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers and untreated human waste infiltrate the river, leading to algal blooms of cyanobacteria which can be toxic and can cause serious health issues for humans and animals. These blooms can sometimes spread to the lakes, leading to further disruption of the river’s aquatic ecosystem.<\/p>\n