{"id":13680,"date":"2023-12-02T19:05:13","date_gmt":"2023-12-02T18:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=13680"},"modified":"2023-12-02T19:05:13","modified_gmt":"2023-12-02T18:05:13","slug":"what-is-water-from-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/what-is-water-from-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Water From Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mississippi River water is a vital part of the environment and the lives of people all throughout the Middle Mississippi Valley who depend on it for drinking, agricultural and recreational uses. This vast body of water flows over 2,320 miles, beginning at Lake Itasca in Minnesota, snaking down through 10 U.S. states, and emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. It carries a significant amount of sediment and nutrients, forming wetlands, not just in the places it passes, but downstream as well. Since it’s such an important body of water, it’s important to understand what makes it and its waters unique.<\/p>\n

The Mississippi River starts upstream as clear, clean water. But by the time it gets to its southernmost point, the water has become cloudy and polluted, due to the wastewater and sewage from factories, agricultural runoff, and runoff from urban areas. This pollution can have a destructive effect on local ecosystems. In addition, the river water’s high pH level can be damaging to the environment, as it can cause an increase in plant growth, which can eventually lead to algal blooms.<\/p>\n

The quality of the water varies depending on the season. In winter, surface waters can be significantly colder than in the summer. The melting of snow and ice in the northern states adds additional surface runoff, increasing the temperature and nutrients. In summer the river may be warmer, making the waters more stratified between the depths and the surface. Additionally, the amount of sediment in the water increases during the summer months.<\/p>\n

The Mississippi River is home to many species of fish and other wildlife that depend on the river’s health and conservation of the habitats it provides. Threats to species includes habitat loss due to changing water levels, pollution from runoff, and overfishing. One of the primary threats is the pollutants entering the water from upstream sources, known as “nonpoint source pollution.” A variety of sources cause this type of pollution, including runoff from agricultural fields, lawns, and roads, as well as discharges from wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities.<\/p>\n