SWOT ANALYSIS ON RIVER MISSISSIPPI

STRENGTHS 

-Dams are being built to control floods. 

- The Mississippi River is one of the world's major river systems in size , habitat diversity and biological productivity .

-15 million people rely on the Mississippi river or its tributaries for water supply.the upper Mississippi river is host to more than 50 mammal species.

-60% of all grain exported from the U.S is shipped on the Mississippi river.

-145 species of amphibians and reptiles inhabit the upper Mississippi river.

-Federal regulations are implementing rules to prohibit farmers from using harmful chemicals and insecticides.

-25% of all fish species in North America are situated here.

Opportunities

-The flood plains of the river forms a fertile valley where we can grow and sell crops.

-Freight such as corn,soybeans,wheat,coal and steel products are transported via this river.

-The coast has extremely productive commercial fisheries.

-The wetlands and wildlife draw birders,hunters,boaters and other enthusiastic people who want to explore.

-The offshore oil fields near the mouth of the river and refineries provide numerous jobs.

-The wetlands provide critical services to people called ecosystems services.These include:-
1)Replenishing aquifers.
2)Controlling soil erosion.
3)Improving water quality by filtering out pollutants and absorbing excess nutrients.

-Boats and ferries carry tourists who want to explore the place.

WEAKNESSES 

-Floods in the Mississippi river  occur when melting snow and rains bring large amounts of water into it.

-Floods are destroying and damaging houses and large areas of agricultural lands are unable to produce crops.


- People are relocated/displaced from the effected flooding areas.

-The rivers are unfit for swimming as traces of aluminium , lead , sulfur dioxide , hydrogen sulfide and benzene have been found.

-A little flooding from too much rain can raise the water level of the river making it impossible for boats to get under bridges.

-Cities are more risk of flooding because there are few marshes and islands protecting the cities , therefore plants , animals will be lost and people's livelihoods will be impacted.

THREATS

-Fertilizers and insecticides used on farms are washed into the river.

-Industries empty their toxic wastes into the Mississippi river.

-Hydrological modifications have destroyed the stream habitat for native fish and other species, such as highly vulnerable native mussels.

-The water volume of the river often prevents accumulation of sediments , washing away valuable top soils for farming.

-High concentrations of bacteria associated with human waste have been found downstream as a result of sewage water flowing into the river.

-The major threat to the country's economy is the falling water level of the Mississippi river. Shipping companies have been forced to delay their business trades and hot summers and lack of rains have to be blamed for this.