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The Mississippi Drainage Basin - Coggle Diagram
The Mississippi Drainage Basin
World's second largest drainage basin
Draining 4.76 million square kilometres
Includes tributaries from 32 U.S. states and two Canadaian provinces
Major tributaries include:
The Missouri
The Ohio
The Arkansas-Red-White
The Tennessee
Mississippi River watershed encompasses 40% of the contiguous United States
River is North America's longest and largest river in terms of discharge
Average of 17,330 cubic metres per second
Flows from Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota to its delta in Southern Louisiana
Human Factors
Over 18 million people rely on the Mississippi for water supply.
Agricultural practises
Construction of drainage systems, levees and dams to control water flow and manage flooding
This has affected the basin's hydrology and ecology
Dominant land use for nearly 200 years
Use of fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture contributes to nutrient runoff into the river system
Can lead to water pollution, including nutrient pollution, which contributes to the formation of "dead zones" in the Gulf of Mexico.
Urbanisation
Growth and construction of cities have led to increased impermeable surfaces
The increase in runoff has also contributed to water pollution.
This has exacerbated flooding and reduced infiltration.
Deforestation
Clearing of forest for agriculture and urbanisation
Impacted
Water quality
Health of aquatic ecosystems
Industrial and commercial activities
Manufacturing, mining, and commercial activities within the basin can introduce pollutants into the river system
Affecting water quality and ecosystem health
Industrial waste and runoff can lead to contamination of river waters.
Flood Control Centres
Protect communities from flooding
However, can disrupt natural floodplain processes and increase downstream flooding
Climate Change
Changes in precipitation patterns, increased extreme weather events, and rising temperatures
Can affect the Mississippi River basin's hydrology and water availability
Physical factors
Topography
Basin encompasses a wide range of topographical features
Flat lowlands of the Mississippi Delta to the rugged terrain in the headwaters region of the Upper Mississippi
Topographical variations impact water flow, drainage patterns, and the risk of flooding
Climate
Climate varies across the basin
humid subtropical climate in the southern regions and a continental climate in the northern areas
Climate patterns, including precipitation and temperature, influence the flow and discharge of the river and its tributaries
Hydrology
interactions among these water bodies, as well as groundwater systems, play a significant role in shaping the basin's hydrological characteristics
For example, tributaries
Geology
Affects
Soil types
The soil characteristics influence the basin's productivity and susceptibility to erosion
Groundwater resources
Potential for sediment transport
Geological structures can influence water quality and distribution of minerals
Vegetation
Native vegetation in the basin contributes to the regulation of water flow, nutrient cycling, and the preservation of biodiversity
Forests
Wetlands
Praires
Natural Disasters
basin is susceptible to natural hazards
These events can have profound effects on the landscape, hydrology, and communities within the basin
FLoods
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Droughts
Glacial History
Presence of glacial deposits and landforms in the northern portions of the basin has influenced the landscape
Such as
Formation of lakes
Moraines
Character of Soils