The Mississippi River is the second longest river in North America. It is the primary river of the United States, stretching from its source at Lake Itasca in Minnesota to Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. It travels through 10 states of the US and is divided into two sections: the Upper Mississippi and Lower Mississippi. The Upper Mississippi spans from Lake Itasca to Cairo, Illinois. Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), it has 29 locks and four dams to aid vessel navigation.
A lock is a hydraulic engineering structure which enables vessels to travel up and down hills in canals and rivers. A lock is essentially a watertight chamber, usually made up of concrete, which is positioned at the top and bottom of each lockstep. Vessels enter or exit the lock chamber and the chamber is filled or emptied to raise or lower the vessel in order to continue to the next lockstep.
The primary objective of the USACE is to maintain navigability along the Mississippi River. This is done by providing a place for vessels which accommodates for the changing levels of water along the river by using locks, dams and levees. The Mississippi River has 29 locks with a total length of 600 miles.
The main purpose of the levy locks along the Mississippi River is to minimize flooding and protect residential and agricultural land along the river and its branches. During the constant fluctuations in water levels on the river, the locks prevent water from running wild, flooding the low-lying areas around it and causing damage to property. By controlling the rate of water flow and the depth of the river, the locks also ensure that vessels are able to safely travel along the river and make efficient use of the water, assisting commercial ventures.
Environmental Benefits
The levy locks along the Mississippi River are essential for navigation, providing economic, social and environmental benefits. They facilitate the transport of goods from the lower to the upper river, supporting the thriving recreational, fishing and agricultural industries. Moreover, the locks help maintain the water levels and recreate navigable channels, further allowing the natural ecosystems, such as fish populations, plants and wetlands, to respond in a positive way to the changes in water supply and other environmental stressors.
The environment also benefits from the locks’ ability to maintain a variety of species in the river, as their flow management leads to the avoidance of barren and monotonous conditions. Additionally, the locks significantly reduce sediment and toxic contamination, as they keep dirty water out and release clean water back into the river.
Challenges of the Levy Locks
Despite the clear benefits of the levy locks, they may obstruct fish migration and limit recreational activities. The physical size of the levies’ locks and dams, combined with their fast water flow, makes it difficult for fish to swim against the current as they move upstream. Furthermore, the locks often block passage routes for vessels, as the locks take up considerable space and only a certain amount of vessels can fit through at one time. While navigating their way around a lock, the vessels visibility may be impaired and the slower speed, when passing a lock, often means that vessels pose a danger to other, smaller vessels.
In addition, the constant water flow and movement caused by the locks may also impact recreational activities such as kayaking, as the fast-moving water is potentially dangerous and it may provide a difficult challenge for kayakers who have to make their way through the locks and the speed of the water.
The Future of the Levy Locks
The USACE is continually advancing its technology to ensure that locks are more efficient and cost effective to protect the Mississippi River. New technologies, such as mooring cells, lock boxes and guide walls, are created to monitor the water levels, provide closer monitoring and more efficient operation of locks. The USACE has also been looking into the development of “super-sized” locks, which can accommodate larger vessels and allow them to travel faster.
The USACE is constantly evaluating the current technology used on the Mississippi River to make improvements on navigation systems, locks and dams. They are also attempting to lobby for an increase in federal funds to improve infrastructure such as the lock devices and navigation systems in order to ensure safe and efficient navigation along the Mississippi River.
Efforts to Improve Conditions
The USACE has been working on several efforts to improve conditions along the Mississippi River and ensure that the Levy Locks are safe and efficient. They have been constructing retaining walls and embankments to help keep the river waters in check. They are also working on upgrading their vessels and navigational systems to increase their efficiency and help vessels manoeuvre correctly.
The USACE also uses various technologies to measure the water levels of the river, to signal high levels and alert vessels to safety precautions. Dams and locks are a fundamental feature of the Mississippi River and are an integral part of the water management system. The USACE continues to place emphasis on the lock and dam system to maintain a safe, efficient and navigable river.
Modernising the System
The USACE looks to modernise its system over the next few years with new technologies, such as leveraging GPS navigation systems and smart technologies to monitor the river’s depth and speed. These technologies are expected to improve navigation on the river and help reduce accidents, create a more efficient transport system, and prevent flooding. Additionally, innovations in green technology, such as solar panels and wind turbines, may be used to help generate power and reduce the impact of the locks on the environment.
The Levy locks along the Mississippi River are a critical part of the river-management system, with both benefits and drawbacks. With the right technologies and increased funding, the locks and dams can be improved for the navigation of vessels, protection of the diverse natural ecosystems along the river, and for economic growth.
Safety of the River
The USACE have established a framework of safety regulations and procedures which must be followed by vessel operators on the river. In order to maintain safe passage on the waters of the Mississippi, all vessels must be operated in accordance with traffic regulations, abide by the directions of the lock and dam personnel and take into account the special conditions of a certain area. The USACE has put in place several contingencies to ensure the safety of the river, such as mandating minimum wake speed, air temperature requirements and towing operations.
The USACE also makes sure that each of the lock facilities is properly staffed and equipped. Lock operators control the locks, in order to minimize disruption of water traffic and minimize risk of accidents. This requires the personnel to be alert and able to react immediately to any incident or emergency that may occur.
The USACE provides various navigation aids which provide additional navigational information to vessel operators passing between locks. This includes a publications program to provide details and instruction on river navigation, navigational markers, navigational maps, notices to mariners and buoy production. Additionally, they provide technology-based navigational services such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), and satellite-based information services such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Integrated Navigation System (INS).
The USACE is continually looking to improve navigational safety, facilitate navigation and control flooding. The Levy locks along the Mississippi River are of particular importance, as they enable navigation during changing water levels that would otherwise be dangerous and inefficient. Through the various navigational aids and the lock and dam system, the USACE is ensuring the safe and efficient navigation of vessels on the river.
