The Mississippi River is one of the most powerful and largest waterways in the US, and it is no surprise that people would be curious about its navigability and potential for upstream travel. It has been asked if the Mississippi River can flow uphill in Carville, Mississippi; the answer is no it cannot. Despite being able to traverse large distances at high speeds, the river does not reverse its course when faced with challenging terrain.
It’s true that the Mississippi River is capable of producing powerful currents that can push large boats upstream and even upstream against the cu rrents at times, the river cannot flow uphill in reality. The reason why is due to the fact that the natural laws of gravity, momentum and pressure all combined do not allow the river to run in a “reverse” or up-hill direction.
Geographically speaking, Carville is located on the edge of a group of ridges that effectively block the river from flowing upstream. Despite the Mississippi River’s power and vast size, the three-dimensional definition of the land prevents it from traveling uphill in Carville. While some of t he billowing currents created by the river’s power may be felt upstream, it is a simple fact that the river will not literally flow uphill.
Some may wonder why the Mississippi River is so powerful that it can be felt well upriver. To explain it simply, the powerful Mississippi River has cut a deep path called Mississippi Canyon over the thousands of years that it’s been in existence. Through long term erosion, the river has created a rewarding channel in the bedrock that helps it to breach the terrain and continue its journey across the United States. The sheer force of water combined with the presence of natural curves in the canyon have enabled the river to remain so powerful even hundreds of miles away from its source.
It’s also worth noting how Carville, Mississippi was formed. It began as a trading post, set up near the convergence of the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers. The combination of strong currents and the numerous outlets for its delivery (due to the two merging rivers) made Carville a popular spot for trading, fueling and supply. Strategically, it also made it a prime spot for defense as the rivers’ waters could be used as a barrier to keep enemies away from the city.
In the end, Carville is a city that is unique in its locale and the opportunities it offers. Its location on the rivers and its power provide a strategic advantage to the city while also offering aesthetic beauty to its residents and visitors. However, regardless of its position, Carville is simply not able to have the Mississippi River flow uphill.
Erosion
Over the years, powerful currents of water has caused much erosion on the banks of the Mississippi River in Carville and beyond. As discussed, the force of the river combined with the presence of natural curves in the canyon have enabled the river to remain so powerful even hundreds of miles away from its source. As the water rushes past the steep banks of the canyon, it erodes away at the sides and makes it more difficult for the river to travel uphill. As a result, the river’s power is restrained, and it is unable to flow uphill in Carville.
Tributaries
A notable exception to the rule of the Mississippi River not flowing uphill in Carville is its tributaries. Tributaries are bodies of water that connect to, and eventually join up with a larger body of water – in this case, the Mississippi River. These streams, creeks and other bodies of water all will, in essence, flow uphill or upstream in order to reach the river. However, most of these tributaries are too small or shallow to have the large cargo ships and barges traverse them.
Environmental Impact
The story of the Mississippi River is a story of success and failure, of triumph and tragedy. It is a river that’s historically connected people and places, yet it has suffered enormous environmental and economic damage from the heavy reliance on its life-giving waters. The commercial shipping and industrial activity taking place on the Mississippi River is an undeniable source of pollution. With pollutants making their way down the river, much of this contamination has remained until reaching the Gulf of Mexico, where it can affect marine life and other organisms living in and around the water.
Conservation Efforts
In order to protect the Mississippi River from further degradation, organizations such as the New Madrid Reclamation Project (NMRP) have been working diligently to improve the river’s health. The NMRP is a governmental non-profit that works to promote the conservation, protection and restoration of the immediate aquatic environment of the Mississippi River. With an ongoing effort to preserve the unique ecosystem and surrounding wildlife, the NMRP is striving to ensure that future generations may enjoy the same beauty and wonder of Carville, its neighbors, and the mighty Mississippi River.
