Crossing the mighty Mississippi river without a boat might sound like an impossible task, but it turns out that it’s been done before. On October 4, 2018, two swimmers defied incredible odds with an astonishing feat: they swam across the mighty Mississippi without any help or protection.
The feat was attempted by Josh Williamson, Adventures with Purpose co- filming, and veteran swimmer and open water swimming expert, John Radich, who volunteered to traverse the two-mile-wide river with no life vests, floats, or boats.
The swimmers had to bravely overcome not only the physical and psychological toll of swimming in open water but also the challenging, hazardous conditions posed by one of the most powerful water currents in the world. Through the power of collaboration and science, the team learned about the river’s depth, temperature, current speed and points of shore contact, allowing them to carefully lay out a successful plan for crossing the river.
The swimmers planned to cross the river from South Memphis bordering Arkansas to Illinoistown and traverse the two roaring currents that bisected the river in the middle from West Memphis, Tennessee, to Illinois. The swimmers were advised to enter and exit the river during low tide, as the velocity of the currents was reduced.
GPS tracking devices were set up to measure the progress of the swimmers, report their position in the water, and most importantly, record the entire swim. For safety, the team was also accompanied by a local professional rescue team.
On the day of the swim, the team started their journey close to 9PM, which allowed the swimmers to swim in the dark and face the cooler water than mid-day. The meticulously calculated strategy paid off and the swimmers were able to successfully swim across the river with the help of the rescue team. The team calculated that it took 6 hours and 10 minutes for the swimmers to battle their way across the 2 mile stretch of the mighty Mississippi.
River Currents
The key to successfully swimming across the Mississippi River is to know the physics and hydro-geology of the river. For example, the swimmers were informed of the two major currents, the Upper Mississippi and the Lower Mississippi, and the powerful force created by them known as vertical shear. This force can pull objects that have surfaced and pushed them further down the river.
Moreover, since the Mississippi River is highly controlled, its currents can also be heavily influenced. According to the Physical Geography of the US, human activities such as the construction of dams, methane deposits and sediment deposits, can cause the velocity of the currents to increase. Thus, it is important to plan the entire swim keeping in mind the force of the currents and its possible variations.
The team also had to be mindful about its timing. Two periods during the year that make an ideal window for swimming across the Mississippi are high and low tide, as this helps to make conditions favorable for swimming. Low tide is especially important as the swimmers are able to make landfall without being completely exhasuted.
Dangers
Swimming across the mighty Mississippi without the aid of a boat could be an extremely dangerous act if not done right. The Mississippi river carries pollutants such as phosphorus, hydrogen sulfide, and heavy metals. It is known to host deadly bacteria such as salmonella, E.coli, and vibrio. Furthermore, since the currents of the Mississippi can be highly unpredictable, there is a risk of the swimmers heading in the wrong direction and getting lost.
Moreover, the swimmers have to be well-versed with navigation techniques and be aware of animal and plant life in the river. To get to the other side safety, swimmers must not only have had the physical strength, but also have courage and wisdom to make the right decisions. This means that if the swimmers encounter strong currents, sharp turns or deep waters, they should know when it is time to stop, float, and prepare for the next stage.
It also important to be extremely vigilant and keep an eye out for debris while swimming across the Mississippi. Since the lake is so vast, high wind speeds and changing weather patterns can cause debris and floating material to accumulate in the river. Thus, swimmers must be aware of tree logs, rocks and other objects that may be present in the water.
Positive Impact on Environment
Swimming across the mighty Mississippi is not always a futile endeavor. A positive impact can be made if such feats are used as an opportunity to raise awareness about this vital river system. Making such a journey can be used as a platform for people to reflect on the need to protect and enjoy the river and its creatures.
Moreover, these swims can be intended to collect data about the physical and chemical environment of the river, thus providing invaluable insights about this massive water body. Josh Williamson, for instance, took water samples at different points in the river throughout the crossing. He then flew the samples to a lab in California and the results revealed that a majority of the samples have incredibly inconsistent or even low levels of oxygen.
This finding provides a critical insight into the river’s compromised health due to extensive pollution, as well as illegal dumping of chemical waste upriver. Such data can be used to spread awareness to the public and advocate for robust water management policies.
Role of Technology
Technology is playing an ever increasing role in the mapping and study of water bodies. For example, modern technologies such as sonar mapping can be used to capture underwater bathymetric data with precision. Such data can be used to identify possible routes to swimming across the river, focusing especially on points of shore contact and terrain irregularities.
In addition, satellite navigation systems can help with tracking a swimmer’s progress across the river. This requires setting up of ground-based receivers alongside the river, as well as providing the diver with a GPS-enabled tracking device.
Moreover, with progress in machine vision and computer vision, AI can be used to identify objects that might be present in the water and warning the swimmers accordingly. Therefore, technology plays a major role in not only understanding the dynamics of the river but also providing a vital safety net for people who are attempting to swim across it.
Swimmer Emergency Strategy
If a swimmer is to successfully cross the mighty Mississippi River, he or she must equip themselves with detailed knowledge and preparation. For instance, swimmers must contact the US Coast Guard to seek guidance about the river and its systems.
The swimmers must also create an emergency exit strategy. This entails drafting a detailed document regarding the swimmers’ intentions, as well as having an additional communication channel with the Coast Guard. Additionally, to ensure safety and mitigate the risks associated during a swim, the swimmers must bring wet suits, river-safe gloves, dry bags and lights.
It is also necessary to be familiar with the prevailing weather conditions, which are characterized by un-forecast storms, tornadoes and thunderstorms. Additionally, during summer, the water levels can rise rapidly due to snow melt in Canada, further exacerbating the hazards of swimming across the Mississippi. Thus, being familiar with the climatic conditions of the region is paramount.
Team
No solo expedition can be successful without the help of a team. Having the support of a group of people who have a thorough knowledge of the river is essential. The team should include an experienced rescue professional, handlers to support the swimmers from the banks and a boat captain who is familiar with the river.
Having an expert navigator on the team is important. He/she should be familiar with the terrain and the points of shore contact, allowing the team to devise a successful strategy about the route. Additionally, the team should have a referee to ensure the crossing meets industry requirements, as well as a press representative to document the crossing.
Finalment, the swimmers must decide on a safety support crew that may include kayakers, rescue divers, marine specialists, and rescue professionals. Overall, having a well organized and well-informed team to back them up provides the necessary support to make an expedition like this possible.
