{"id":12248,"date":"2023-09-25T22:35:06","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T21:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=12248"},"modified":"2023-09-25T22:35:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T21:35:06","slug":"is-the-mississippi-river-going-dry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/is-the-mississippi-river-going-dry\/","title":{"rendered":"Is The Mississippi River Going Dry"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rising Water Temperatures<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River is going dry and the causes of this alarming trend cannot be ignored. The warming temperatures of the water are one of the primary culprits of this issue. Over the last decades, these temperatures have increased significantly. This has resulted in decreased river flow, and ultimately the drying up of the Mississippi.
\nScientists have found that the average annual temperature is three degrees Fahrenheit higher than the long-term average. In addition, periods of warm weather have become longer lasting, meaning that there is higher demand for water and increased temperatures for a greater amount of time. This has made the Mississippi particularly vulnerable to droughts.<\/p>\n

Climate Change<\/h2>\n

It is no surprise that climate change is one of the main drivers of this process. Fossil fuel use has resulted in higher levels of carbon emissions, which has caused temperatures to rise. This has made the summers hotter and the winters milder, leading to an overall decrease in precipitations across the region.
\nThe resulting lack of rainfall has made drought conditions more frequent and severe. This has resulted in reduced river flow and more areas of the Mississippi that are at risk of going dry. Furthermore, the increased temperatures make the water evaporate more quickly, resulting in a further reduction of water levels in the river.<\/p>\n

Implications For The Ecosystem <\/h2>\n

The drying up of the Mississippi River has serious consequences for the local ecosystem. It has affected fish habitats, as some species can no longer survive in the warmer waters. This includes the much-loved paddlefish, the population of which has plummeted in the past years.
\nMoreover, the rising water levels have led to increased erosion and flooding of the banks in some areas. This has displaced animals, plants, and even people. In addition, the increased sedimentation of the river can lead to decreased water quality, resulting in an unhealthy environment for aquatic life.<\/p>\n

The Impact On People<\/h2>\n

The effects of the Mississippi’s drying up are far from negligible in the lives of many people. Those who depend on it for economic activities such as fishing and boat transportation have been heavily impacted. They have had to relocate or find alternative livelihoods as most of their resources have virtually vanished.
\nThe consequences have also translated politically, as some areas have had to adjust their water use policies. This has caused contention between neighboring states over access to the remaining water and the consequent competition for resources. <\/p>\n

Efforts To Stem The Tide<\/h2>\n