Due to the overall increase in the temperature around the world, many different industries and natural resources have started to get affected. One such resource is the Mississippi river, a 2,340 mile long body of water that runs through 10 US states. It acts as a transportation method for commerce of all kinds. However with the rise in temperatures, noticeable differences in the water highs has caused this method's availability to be questioned.
This river has not only provided for people in the US, but is a major provider for people across the world. This impact is described on the National Park Service website, which states "The agricultural products and the huge industry that has developed in the basin produce 92% of the nation's agricultural exports, 78% of the world's exports in feed grains and soybeans, and most of the livestock and hogs produced nationally. Sixty percent of all grain exported from the US is shipped on the Mississippi River through the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana"(NPR 14). This causes the port of New Orleans to get more than 500 million tons of goods a year from places connected to the Mississippi. However, this valuable natural resource to our nation is threatened.
This threat is best described in an article written by Jim Salter of USA Today. Salter states "low water level in the lower Mississippi River is causing barges to get stuck in mud and sand, disrupting river travel for shippers, recreational boaters and even passengers on a cruise line" (Salter 1). This has caused the US Army of Engineers to try to find ways to overcome this problem. One such method was dredging several spots along the Mississippi along with placing traveling restrictions on the amount of barges and cargo being let through.
The Mississippi has been the backbone of commerce in the South for centuries. It has helped moved trillions of commerce over the years and has also helped support families and job opportunities. I believe that the government and other officials must works together to make sure that this precious body of water is not ran dry and that it remains available to enjoy for years to come.
Source of Information - https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/10/09/mississippi-river-low-water-halt-key-commerce-travel/8229047001/