When the mighty Mississippi River runs backwards, it’s sure to be newsworthy. In April 2013, the Mississippi River ran backwards for a period of 16 hours — an event that has been talked about for years after. The cause of the event, though, was not a force of nature or a miracle, but man-made.
In March 2013, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began carrying out a drastic plan to reduce the water level in the Mississippi. It was an extraordinary effort, with water being released from three locks and dams at the same time, in order to lower the water level by over 6 feet. The idea was to prevent flooding downstream of the Mississippi Delta, with the overflow still contained within the canal system.
When the decision was made to reduce the water level, a number of people were worried about the potential for the water to flow backwards. This was not seen as a normal occurrence, especially in a river like the Mississippi. In a highly unusual coincidence, due to a sudden change in the wind direction, a current was created in the water that ran against the regular flow of the river — it ran backwards.
For a full 16 hours, a significant portion of the Mississippi River ran backwards. Although it did not change the direction of the river, it did cause some disruption to shipping. There was also a great deal of concern among environmentalist, who feared the disruption to the delicate aquatic life of the river. Fortunately, when the water level returned to normal, there did not appear to be any permanent damage.
Even today, this event is still discussed and analyzed by experts in the field. Many agree that the decision to reduce the water level was a necessary one, as it prevented flooding further downstream. It is also seen as a reminder that, while man can and does control the environment to a certain degree, there are still forces of nature that cannot be predicted or fully understood.
Environmental Effects
Although the water level returned to normal quickly, the effects of the reversal of the Mississippi River on the local environment were still significant. The current created by the reduction of water caused the displacement of sediment, which can alter the entire aquatic ecosystem of the river. A number of species that live in the river had to adjust to the new conditions, and some are still feeling the effects even now.
The most significant effect of the water flow reversal was the disruption to the breeding and spawning of a number of species. Many species that rely on the regular flow of the Mississippi River in order to spawn, may have been moved to different areas of the river or to different habitats entirely.
This disruption could have been inadvertently caused by human activities, as the water level was intentionally controlled. The full extent of these impacts is yet to be determined, but it is clear that the river will continue to be monitored closely by scientists and environmentalists.
Structure and Safety
The fact that the river’s reversal was contained within the canal system was crucial to its safety. If the reversal had been allowed to flow up the main part of the river, it could have caused devastating flooding issues further downstream. It also could have caused significant damage to infrastructure built along the banks of the river, including bridges, docks, and cities.
By keeping the reversal contained to the canal system, the Army Corps of Engineers was able to avoid any potential disasters. The canal system was designed specifically for the purpose of controlling river flows, and the fact that a river like the Mississippi could be contained and controlled is a testament to the skill of those who designed and manage the system.
Experiences of People
The Mississippi’s historic flow in the reverse direction was witnessed by many of the people living and working along the river. It is not very often that such an extraordinary natural occurrence is seen in a society so heavily altered by man.
The fact that the event drew so much attention and discussion during and after the event is a reminder of the importance of the Mississippi River to the people living and working along its length. There are few things taken more seriously in the region than changes to the flow of the Mississippi, and this event was certainly no exception.
Impact on Shipping
The ability of the Army Corps of Engineers to contain the reverse flow of the river within the canal system had a major benefit for shipping. Although the flow was significant, it did not significantly impede navigation on the river. In fact, traffic was able to continue as normal, as the canal system was still able to accommodate vessels travelling up and down the river.
The fleets operating in the region were, of course, aware of the potential disruption, but the ability of the canal system to prevent any major issues was instrumental in allowing commercial vessels to continue doing business as usual.
Economic Affect
The economic impact of the Mississippi River running backwards was not immediately apparent, but it is clear that the event did have an effect on businesses in the region. Although the local economy was not significantly impaired, there were many businesses that, quite understandably, decided to halt all operations until the situation had stabilized.
It is estimated that the 16-hour disruption cost the region millions of dollars in lost business. This serves as a reminder that extreme weather events are not to be taken lightly and can have severe economic impacts.
Potential for Further Events
Despite the success of the 2013 water reduction efforts, the potential for a similar event to reoccur is still present. Climate change has caused many of the weather patterns in the region to be unpredictable, and as such it is difficult to predict when and if the river may run backwards once more.
That said, it is clear that the canal system is in place to help prevent further issues if the event were to happen again. The system was designed specifically to control the water level of the river, and it is a powerful tool for local state and federal governments to use when mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.
Safeguards Against Future Events
It is clear that the canal system is the most powerful tool available to protect against the potential for the river to run backwards again. However, there are other safeguards that can be taken to protect against the threat of flooding, as well as the disruption caused by reversed water flows.
For example, many communities in the region are now taking steps to build up their levees and flood walls to minimize the effects of flooding in the event that it occurs. Additionally, states are now taking a proactive approach to water management, with the goal of avoiding an event similar to what happened in 2013.
Long Term Effect on Ecosystem
While the reversal of the Mississippi River did not cause any permanent damage, it is not yet clear what the long-term effects of the event may have been on the local environment. The disruption to the delicate aquatic ecosystem caused by the force of the reversed current is still being studied, and a better understanding of the effects will take some time.
That said, it is evident that the event did have a significant impact on the environment, and the potential for further disruption from extreme weather events is still a real concern. It is vital that steps are taken to protect the river and its inhabitants from such events, in order to preserve the fragile ecology of the Mississippi for years to come.
