Is it safe to swim in the Mississippi river?
Is it safe to swim in the Mississippi river? Current Status and Research. Stretches of the Mississippi River within the park corridor exceed water quality standards for mercury, bacteria, sediment, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl), and nutrients. Unfortunately, these impairments can make the water unsuitable for fishing, swimming, and drinking.
Why is the Mississippi river so famous?
The Mississippi River is one of the world's major river systems in size, habitat diversity and biological productivity. It is also one of the world's most important commercial waterways and one of North America's great migration routes for both birds and fishes.
Is it safe to eat fish from the Mississippi river?
Many popular kinds of fish including bass, bream, crappie, freshwater drum, and small catfish (less that22 inches in length) are SAFE to eat. Farm-raised catfish are SAFE to eat.
Is the Mississippi river clean enough to swim in?
Stretches of the Mississippi River within the park corridor exceed water quality standards for mercury, bacteria, sediment, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl), and nutrients. Unfortunately, these impairments can make the water unsuitable for fishing, swimming, and drinking.
How hard is it to swim in the Mississippi river?
The Mississippi River Currents are Powerful For example, one of this river's strongest flow rates is near New Orleans at 600,000 cubic feet per second. That's an incredible amount of strong water flow that could quickly kill a swimmer and destroy a small boat.
How do you know if a river is safe to swim in?
- 1.) The water looks funky. ...
- 2.) The water smells bad. ...
- 3.) There are pipes draining into the water or you see clear signs of surface runoff. ...
- 4.) There are dead animals or fish washing up on shore or in the water. ...
- 5.) Signs tell you not to go in.