Course:CONS200/2023/Degradation of the Mississippi River

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Introduction

A recreational paddleboat moving along the Mississippi River with New Orleans in the background.

Beginning at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, the Mississippi River spans across the USA to the Gulf of Mexico. It is the second longest river in North America. The Mississippi River is one of the largest and most important rivers in the United States, stretching for over 3,700 kilometers[1]. It borders 10 states (Minnesota, Louisiana Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas), from its source in Minnesota to its end in the Gulf of Mexico. The river and its surrounding ecosystem are facing a range of environmental challenges that threaten its health and ecological integrity[2].

Recent efforts at restoration of the river have focused on reducing the pollution levels, restoring natural habitats, and improving water management practices in an attempt to undo the damage that the Mississippi has suffered. Those who seek to restore the river aim to change the legislature, educate the public, and introduce incentives to encourage the conservation of the river. Achieving these goals is crucial to not only the flora and fauna that rely upon it but the success and health of the people and industry that it sustains. Accomplishing these restoration goals is imperative to the economic and ecological sustainability of the region.

Importance

Economic and Civil Importance of the Mississippi river

Freight being transported along the Mississippi River.

The Mississippi river transports over half (56%) the grain and other agricultural products between the 10 states it borders and is vital for freight movement inside the United States. This equates to more than the combined amount transported by rail, truck, and pipeline (26%).[3] In total, the River generates around 1 Billion dollars in revenue per day[4]. However the US ability to transport goods across the Mississippi is entirely dependent on water level in the river, meaning that degradation to the river affects transportation across the states[3]. In 2022, "low water levels in the Lower Mississippi River, due to scant rainfall, have severely hampered fall 2022 barges [...] U.S. Coast Guard District 8 reported a backup of more than 2,000 barges on the Lower Mississippi in early October." The drought occurred at the height of soybean and corn season, cutting profits and supply to farmers in the US[3]. Besides transportation, close to 15 million people rely on the Mississippi River or its tributaries in just the upper half of the basin. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 50 cities rely on the Mississippi for daily water supply.

Ecological Importance of the Mississippi river

The Mississippi River is Home to abundant wildlife, including at least 260 species of fish and 25% of all fish Species in North America, The National Park Service declares some important fish species that live on the Mississippi river that are important ecologically, recreationally, and for business purposes[4]. These Fish support the ecosystem around it which makes for a food source for birds, mammals and reptiles around that area[4]. Forty percent of the nation's migratory waterfowl use the river corridor during their spring and fall migration, sixty percent of all north American birds use the Mississippi River Basin as their Migratory flyway[4]. 145 species of amphibians and reptiles and 38 species of mussels. which all feed from northern USA to the Gulf of Mexico.

Most importantly the Mississippi is an integral environment for keystone species for the environment, the bald eagle which is a keystone species along the river, as well as various mussels which are also keystone species. Young bald eagles (“nestlings”) and mussels are particularly vulnerable to contaminants, and can help us understand overall ecosystem health by studying their abundance and deploying management conditions accordingly[5].

An image of the threatened Gulf Sturgeon.

Many species also rely on the outflow of nutrients from the River into the Gulf of Mexico. One of these species is the Gulf Sturgeon, which is a species protected by the State of Mississippi that inhabits the region at the mouth of the River. Since 1991, the population of the Sturgeon has seen a sharp decline due to overfishing and the construction of dams.[6] Another protected species is the West Indian Manatee. It has also seen a sharp decline in recent years due to agricultural pollution in the river which is is deposited into its habitat.[6] Both species are also expected to be severely impacted by the Gulf of Mexico Deadzone[6], which is expanded upon later on this page.

Cultural Importance of the Mississippi river

It is believed that Native Americans have been in Mississippi region for over 12,000 years, and it is suspected that they settled the land as the ice sheets after the last ice age began to melt away[7]. The Mississippi river is of vital importance to the study of the Native American history in the region, thanks to its abundance of sites and artifacts that have been located in the region. Native American History that can be read upon the National Park Service Website It is home to many artifacts that are crucial to the history of hundreds of indigenous groups, languages, and cultures that predate European settlement. Along with post settlement historical locations that tell the story of American colonialism, trade history and settlement[8]. And important geological artifacts that tell about the changes that happened to the geographical landscape around the river[9]. The river served as a vital commercial route connecting the various towns around the basin, as well as a significant method for cultural exchange. For many Indigenous peoples, the river is a sacred place, and its natural and cultural resources are closely associated with their traditional ways of life. Indigenous people still rely on o the Mississippi river and its watershed for their sustenance and well being to this dat, and many of them are actively involved in initiatives to save and restore the river and its cultural and natural assets[10] Mainly the Santee or as known to the French the Sioux peoples (which was derived from the Algonquian term “Nadouessiw” meaning “snake” i.e., “enemy”) peoples which included within its cultural scope the Mdewakanton, Wahpeton, Wahkepute, and Sisseton, and lived along and east of the Mississippi River and hunted its plethora of fish, mammals, and especially shellfish[11]. Mississippi,” derived from the French rendering of the Ojibwe name for the river, which means “great river” or “gathering of waters." and according to European settlers native villages dotted the entire rivers length[12]. The Bald eagle, one of the Mississippi river's most important animals, is sacred to various groups within the Sioux peoples. And were forced out of their traditional lands and moved west into prairie lands away from the river in which they resided and took shelter in[13].

Environmental Challenges

Pollution

Agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides has been increasing in usage since early settlers occupied the region. The Mississippi River drains the agricultural lands of the midcontinental United States including intake from the Illinois and Ohio Rivers. The midcontinental United States accounts for 60% of the national soybean production and 75% of the national corn production[14]. Millions of kilograms of water-soluble herbicides runoff into the Mississippi River every year. Pesticides such as atrazine used for weed control, and fertilizers such as phosphorus and nitrogen frequently enter the water supply from farmland. These dissolved fertilizers, pesticides and their degradation products are then deposited into the Gulf of Mexico by the Mississippi River[14]. This pollution causes an excess of growth in algae, leading to algal blooms. These algal blooms caused by pollution have led to the formation of vast dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico through the process of eutrophication, where low oxygen levels create conditions that are hostile to marine life[15]. Additionally, other pollutants such as industrial chemicals and sewage have also contributed to water quality degradation, making sections of the river unsafe for human use and harming aquatic species.

Effects of Degradation

An example of one of the many gates along the River, used to allow ships to pass through while maintaining water level and limiting flow.

Damage due to Infrastructure

The Mississippi River Basin contains upwards  of 42,000 dams and is lined by more than 4600 km of levees[16]. The combination of dams and levees has cut off the lower Mississippi river and its delta. This has stopped the cycle of new wetland production, as the sediment that is held upstream cannot be deposited into the wetland and marshes. The upstream reservoirs account for an 80% decrease in the sediment delivered by the Mississippi River Basin[16]. This lack of sediment replenishment means the delta will continue to shrink, threatening wildlife and people that live along the coast of Louisiana. As well as reducing sediment transport, the abundance of levees can increase the downstream propagation of flooding as the floodway is confined by the path created by the levees. This channelization of flood flows and minimized sediment transport have a combined effect on the streambed, substantially altering it. These small changes to flow along the river have meaningful ecological and biogeochemical effects. These effects can alter nutrient cycling, impact water quality, and change the structure and distribution of plants and wildlife[16].

Shipping channels and Oil infrastructure also damage the freshwater ecosystems of the Mississippi River Basin. Shipping channels into the coast cause salt water to penetrate much deeper into the wetlands, damaging freshwater ecosystems. Similarly, Oil rigs off the coast require many kilometers of pipelines and canals, changing the coastal hydrology, increasing land loss and harming freshwater vegetation by altering the salinity balance[17].

Graphic showing the extent of the Dead Zone  in the Gulf of Mexico as of 2021

The Mississippi River faces ecological pressures such as climate change, land use practices, population growth, and economic development. Climate change is exacerbating the problems by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, which further degrade the river's ecosystem. Land use practices such as deforestation and urbanization are also contributing to the problem by altering the river's natural hydrological cycle[15].

Communities affected

An image showcasing the difference before and after a dead zone has formed.

The Dead Zones caused by eutrophication in the Gulf of Mexico have negatively impacted the Mississippi fishing industry. The increasing scarcity of fish in the region has caused the need for fishing vessels to journey further from the coast than before, causing an increase in the amount of time and resources needed.  In 2018 the dead zone was found to be nearly 6500 square kilometers in size. The dead zone is adding to other struggles the industry has faced recently, such as the Deep Water horizon oil spill and natural disasters[15].

Conservation Efforts

An influx of population in the region and significant growth of industry surrounding the Mississippi has led to significant pollution and habitat destruction[18]. Cities such as Minneapolis, St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans are examples of these rapidly-growing urban centers which are responsible for a large portion of pollution and degradation of the river.[19] Public awareness of the strain this has caused the river has led to the adoption of many new policies and increased conservation efforts from Non-Governmental Organizations.

The Mississippi Basin Initiative (MRBI), was made through the partnership between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and multiple other agencies focused on the preservation and restoration of the Mississippi River through the reduction of nutrient and sediment runoff from agricultural lands[20]. This initiative aims to restore wetlands and floodplains which are crucial habitats for fish and wildlife.

The Mississippi River is also part of the National Wild and Scenic River System,which protects rivers and cultural sites throughout the United States. The State of Louisiana committed $1.3 billion for the restoration and protection of critical coastal projects [21]. These funds will be mainly aimed at the state’s coastal areas, including the Mississippi River Delta. This money will help rebuild habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as the construction of levees and other infrastructure to minimize the damage from storms and other natural disasters.

The Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Foundation collects money obtained from special license plates and hunting licenses. This money is then primarily used to purchase and maintain conservation areas around the river. This program is similar to the Tidelands Trust Fund, which has focused on the restoration of  Wildlands and urban centers damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2006[22]. Many other conservation programs and funds exist as well. These include but are not limited to[23]:

-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)

-U.S. Forest Service – Forest Legacy Program (FLP)

-U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP)

-U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)

-U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE)

In 2022, the following acts were introduced by State governments in the region:

  • H.B.1792, Illinois. Increases the State’s funding to reach its goal of reducing sulphur pollution in rivers by 15% and phosphorus by 25% before 2025.
  • A.B. 727, Wisconsin. A bipartisan bill that creates a nitrogen optimization program to help farmers in reducing nitrogen pollution from agriculture.
  • H.F. 2150, Iowa. Additional funding for levee establishment, biodiversity conservation, and water quality improvement.

The Mississippi River is a cornerstone of American culture, with a heavy bearing on ecological health and economic viability in the United States. Not only is its health imperative to the survival of many species that are unique to the area but also to the people that rely upon it for both commercial and everyday use. Its continued degradation will result in the sharp decline of biodiversity in the continental United States and a lower quality of life for the people that call the Mississippi River Basin home as well as the rest of the cities and culture that touch the river's currents. It is a common point among all the sources cited here that the health of the Mississippi River is declining, and that action must be taken to diminish damage to the Mississippi River, to save human and ecological life along the river so it can support all those who benefit from the river[5].

While there are many government programs and regulations that have aimed to help preserve the integrity of the river, it is clear that without a significant increase in the measures undertaken, the unique biodiversity and critical industry that rely on the River will be severely impacted. What is recommended for individuals to help restore the Mississippi River is to donate to worthwhile causes which promote lobbying in favour of changing policies to restore the Mississippi River, Vote for members of Congress for more ecologically friendly policies.

Conclusion

The Mississippi River is a cornerstone of American culture, with a heavy bearing on ecological health and economic viability in the United States. Not only is its health imperative to the survival of many species that are unique to the area but also to the people that rely upon it for both commercial and everyday use. Its continued degradation will result in the sharp decline of biodiversity in the continental United States and a lower quality of life for the people that call the Mississippi River Basin home as well as the rest of the cities and culture that touch the river's currents. It is a common point among all the sources cited here that the health of the Mississippi River is declining, and that action must be taken to diminish damage to the Mississippi River, to save human and ecological life along the river so it can support all those who benefit from the river.

While there are many government programs and regulations that have aimed to help preserve the integrity of the river, it is clear that without a significant increase in the measures undertaken, the unique biodiversity and critical industry that rely on the River will be severely impacted. What is recommended for individuals to help restore the Mississippi River is to donate to worthwhile causes which promote lobbying in favour of changing policies to restore the Mississippi River, Vote for members of Congress for more ecologically friendly policies.

A restored Mississippi River would be of massive benefit to the people of the United States as well. A healthier river would support a more resilient and sustainable environment by enhancing and cleaning the water supply, rehabilitating wetlands and floodplains, and safeguarding important wildlife habitat. The people whose businesses depend on the river would benefit as well.

References

  1. ↑ "Mississippi National River & Recreation Area Minnesota". National Park Service. Feb 10, 2022. line feed character in |title= at position 45 (help)
  2. ↑ Pereira, Wilfred E. (1990). "Occurrence, distributions, and transport of herbicides and their degradation products in the Lower Mississippi River and its tributaries". Environmental Science and Technology: 1400–1406.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 United States Department of Transportation (Wednesday, November 16, 2022). "Low Water on the Mississippi Slows Critical Freight Flows". Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Mississippi River Facts". National Park Service. February 10, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Weller, Lark; Russell, Trevor A. (2016). STATE OF THE RIVER REPORT 2016. Saint Paul, MN: Friends of the Mississippi River.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Brainard, Mike (2022). "Protected Species". Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  7. ↑ T. Webb, III, E. J. Cushing, and Herb E. Wright, Jr., “Holocene Changes in the Vegetation of the Midwest,” in H. E. Wright, Jr., ed., Late Quaternary Environments of the United States, Volume 2: The Holocene (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1983), pp. 142-65.
  8. ↑ Leslie Randels Gillund, “Coon Rapids, a fine city by a dam site: history of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, 1849-1984,” Minnesota Historical Society Collections
  9. ↑ Newton H. Winchell, Geology of Minnesota: Minnesota Geological and Natural History Survey, Final Report, v. 2, (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Johnson, Smith & Harrison, state printers, 1888).
  10. ↑ Theler, James L; Boszhardt, Robert F (2003). Twelve Millennia: Archaeology of the Upper Mississippi River Valley. university of Iowa.
  11. ↑ Meyer, Roy W. (1967). "History of the Santee Sioux: United States Indian Policy on Trial". Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
  12. ↑ "THE NATIVE AMERICANS". University of Minnesota Library. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Sioux Native Americans: Their History, Culture, and Traditions". Aug 1, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Rabalais, NN; Turner, RE (2011). "Management Case Study: Mississippi River". Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science. 11: 77–99. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-374711-2.01105-0 – via Elsevier Science Direct.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Milman, Oliver (2018). "'Dead zone' in Gulf of Mexico will take decades to recover from farm pollution". The Guardian. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Remo, Jonathan W.F.; Ickes, Brian S.; Ryherd, Julia K.; Guida, Ross J.; Therrell, Matthew D. (15 July 2018). "Assessing the impacts of dams and levees on the hydrologic record of the Middle and Lower Mississippi River, USA". Geomorphology. 313: 89–98. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.01.004 – via Elsevier Science Direct.
  17. ↑ "Land Loss". Restore the Mississippi River Delta. 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  18. ↑ Coleman, James M.; Roberts, Harry H.; W. Stone, Gregory (Summer, 1998). "Mississippi River Delta: An Overview". Journal of Coastal Health. 14. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ↑ "Environmental Factors". National Park Service. September 28, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  20. ↑ García*, Ana María; . Alexande, Richard B (May 31, 2016). "Regional Effects of Agricultural Conservation Practices on Nutrient Transport in the Upper Mississippi River Basin". Environmental Science and Technology. 50.
  21. ↑ Brewer, Keely (March 2023). "Mississippi River mayors eye federal funds to fight effects of climate change". WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio.
  22. ↑ Shrestha, Sagar (July 2017). "Effects of conservation wetlands on stream habitat, water quality and fish communities in agricultural watersheds of the lower Mississippi River Basin". Ecological Engineering. 107: 99–109.
  23. ↑ "Mississippi Conservation Programs". Trust For Public Land. 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.


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