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U.S. Geological Survey Mississippi River Science Forum—Summary of Data and Science Needs and Next Steps

Open-File Report 2024-1053
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https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20241053

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey hosted a Mississippi River Science Forum with Federal agencies; Tribal, State, and local governments located in States that border the Mississippi River; academia; and other interested stakeholders. The purpose of the forum was to share current (2023) science; identify data gaps and areas of concern; and to prioritize next steps needed to advance the goals of improving water quality, restoring habitat and natural systems, improving navigation, eliminating aquatic invasive species, and building local resilience to natural disasters along the Mississippi River. The forum was a directive for the U.S. Geological Survey in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 (Public Law 117—103, 136 Stat. 49).

Participants and stakeholders that attended the Mississippi River Science Forum indicated the following.

    • A Mississippi River Science Committee could bring together the voices of all stakeholders, including Federal agencies; State, local, and Tribal governments; academia; nongovernmental organizations; business and industry; and other interested parties. This committee would also work with (but not replace) Mississippi River Basin entities already in place and establish effective communication to identify and address Basin-wide management needs and to develop holistic solutions for those needs.
    • A Mississippi River science plan could expand on the science and data gaps identified by the Forum. This plan could guide data collection and help resource managers develop and implement restoration initiatives within the Basin, recognizing that addressing these needs will require substantial resources.
    • The science committee, working with other entities in the basin, should develop data standards for the Mississippi River Basin that allow stakeholders to utilize comparable data to address their needs. These standards would include data findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability.

This report highlights data gaps and areas of concern discussed during the forum, and it identifies needs to advance the goals of improving water quality, restoring habitat and natural systems, improving navigation, eliminating aquatic invasive species, and building local resilience to natural disasters with specific emphasis on data collection and measurement, and scientific investigation. The report also summarizes stakeholder input and feedback and outlines next steps identified by forum participants.

Suggested Citation

Nelson, J.C., Rebich, R.A., Jankowski, K., Edwards, T.M., Larson, J.H., Robertson, D.M., Sprague, L.A., Stackpoole, S.M., Summers, K.M., Cinotto, P.J., Rydlund, P.H., Churchill, C.J., Daniel, W.M., Mckenna, O.P., Middleton, B.A., Carter, J., Hartley, S.B., Frey, J.W., and Warner, K.L., 2024, U.S. Geological Survey Mississippi River Science Forum—Summary of data and science needs and next steps: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2024–1053, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20241053.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Collaboration with Stakeholders
  • Background
  • Current State of Mississippi River Science
  • Opportunities to Improve Data Gaps and Address Areas of Concern
  • Next Steps
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title U.S. Geological Survey Mississippi River Science Forum—Summary of data and science needs and next steps
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2024-1053
DOI 10.3133/ofr20241053
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Midcontinent Regional Director's Office
Description iii, 4 p.
Other Geospatial Mississippi River basin
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details