1993 Mississippi River Levels
The Mississippi River is one of the most iconic rivers in North America. Spanning a distance of about 2,300 miles from its source in Minnesota to its final resting place in the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi is a major source of commerce across the country. In 1993, its levels changed drastically, affecting shipping, agricultural and recreational activities throughout its course.
In the early part of 1993, the Mississippi experienced its second-highest recorded level of flooding in history, cresting at 15.1 meters (50 feet) in some places. It was a serious event, with waters reaching as far south as Louisiana and Texas. After two weeks of flooding, some areas were still underwater and the damage to infrastructure along the river banks was severe. Farmers were affected the most, as they had to literally paddle their livestock and machinery out of the floodwaters.
The extent of the 1993 floods was exacerbated by many factors, notably the snowpack from the previous winter, the prolonged rains that followed, and the geographical engineering of the river. The river was altered near Cairo, Illinois, in 1937 for flood control, which caused the water levels to rise much faster than before. This was due to the fact that the altered river course was much more efficient in conveying water downstream.
Experts have since studied the 1993 floods in detail, combining satellite imagery and hydrologic modeling to fully understand the behavior of the river. They determine that the average river discharge within this season was 271,400 cubic meters per second. This was 10 times greater than the historical average and was the highest volume through the area since 1927.
This high volume of water caused major problems to regional navigation, as vessels and freighters were unable to pass through sections of the river. Fortunately, the flooding did not cause any loss of human life.
The 1993 phenomenon was not an isolated event; in fact, there have been similar floods more recently. In 2008 and 2011, flooding also occurred at high levels along the Mississippi and its tributaries, causing widespread destruction and distress.
Long-Term Effects of the 1993 Floods
Today, the legacy of the 1993 floods is still evident in the region. Nearly 30 years later, the impact of the floods is still visible in the form of left-behind debris and abandoned buildings. To this day, the churches, homes and public buildings remain in a state of disrepair.
In terms of economic implications, the 1993 floods caused significant damage to local farms and businesses. Agricultural production took a significant hit, as many farmers had to abandon their fields and livestock. The region also lost valuable tourism dollars, as many travelers avoided the flooded areas or decided to go elsewhere.
Further downstream, the situation was much worse. Cities along the shoreline were inundated with water, making them uninhabitable for days, if not weeks. This forced many citizens to evacuate and seek shelter elsewhere in the country.
In order to help mitigate the effects of future floods, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) began to implement several flood control and prevention measures. These included the installation of levees and floodgates, the construction of temporary dams, and the relocation of power plants, roads and other infrastructure.
Environmental Impact of The 1993 Floods
The 1993 floods also had a profound effect on the environment. The level of water affected fish and wildlife habitat, leading to a loss of fish and bird populations. The flooding also altered the way nutrients were distributed along the Mississippi, resulting in the proliferation of algae and other aquatic plant life.
The nutrient overload resulted in aquatic oxygen depletion, which caused further changes to the ecosystem. Fish and amphibian populations suffered the most, due to the decrease in oxygen levels. In response, the USACE implemented several conservation strategies that targeted specific species affected by the floods.
Impact on Mississippi Watersheds
The 1993 floods also had an impact on the surrounding watersheds. As the river overflowed its banks in some areas, it carried mud and debris into its tributaries, which caused water quality issues. Eventually, the debris traveled downstream, where it impacted drinking water supplies downstream.
This disturbance caused turbidity and other sedimentation issues that can take years to remediate. In response to this problem, the USACE has installed best management practices, such as sedimentation traps, to filter the water and reduce the amount of pollutant cumulation downstream.
Rapid Response Efforts
The USACE was instrumental in responding to the 1993 floods, as it deployed hundreds of first responders and emergency crews to affected areas. In addition, large-scale relief organizations, such as the Red Cross, provided food, medical supplies, clothing and other forms of aid to affected families.
In the end, the response to the 1993 floods was effective and swift. It helped to ensure that the flooding did not cause further damage or serious losses of life.
Lessons Learned
Environmental experts today have been able to identify a number of factors that led to the 1993 floods. Chief among them are climate change, deforestation, agricultural runoff and human engineering.
Recognizing these triggers is important in order to better understand how to prepare for unexpected events like these in the future. In particular, efforts should be put into place to reduce the impact of floods and try to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Today, thanks to the lessons learned in 1993, the USACE and other bodies have much better flood management strategies. These have helped to limit the severity of future floods, such as those that occurred in 2008 and 2011.
Ecosystem Restoration Efforts
The 1993 floods also necessitated the restoration of the Mississippi’s ecosystem, an effort that is still ongoing today. Following the floods, the USACE and other organizations have worked to protect and restore wetlands and riparian habitat in the region.
Engineering projects have also been undertaken at several sites along the Mississippi, aiming to recreate the historical channels of the river. These efforts have been successful so far, as evidenced by the return of fish, amphibians, and other wildlife to the ecosystem.
With further research, restoration efforts, and proper flood management, the Mississippi River is likely to remain an iconic and critical source of commerce and recreation for years to come.
Conclusion
In 1993, the Mississippi River rose to its second-highest level in recorded history. It caused significant economic and environmental damage along its banks, as well as downstream in the Gulf of Mexico. However, the response to the flooding was swift and the USACE and other organizations have taken considerable measures to better prepare for flooding in the future. The lessons learned from the 1993 floods have been invaluable in helping shape flood management strategies and ecosystem restoration efforts overall.
