Mississippi River Flooding History
The Mississippi River is one of the world’s most captivating rivers, crossing lands and providing essential resources to many. It’s known as the predominant river of North America, draining a vast array of states along with parts of Canada and Mexico. This incredible river has woven over centuries an incredibly complex weave of cultures, ecosystems and history, dating back millions of years ago. As such, it’s no wonder how one of the oldest river systems on Earth has been regularly subjected to flooding over its vast expanse.
The first recorded flooding event occurred alongside the increase of the river’s ability to traverse further south. Over the years, these events have become more commonplace, with floods regularly disrupting the economies, agrarian systems, and settlements along the river. The last recorded flood on the river was in the summer of 2019 and was the third “major” flood within two decades. Yet, there has been only one recorded instance where the Mississippi River has actually flowed backwards.
Event of the Great Mississippi Flood
The incredible waterway, known for its vast tributaries and powerful currents, has been known to cause many floods, but only one ever made history by causing the river to flow backwards. In April of 1927, the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 took the region by surprise. As the highest recorded flood to ever occur in Mississippi, what made the 1927 event so unique was its effects on the river’s flow. Due to the abnormally high levels of rainfall and rapid snowmelt, the river was pushed out of its natural course and instead traveled downstream in the opposite direction.
The event is considered to be the most destructive natural disaster of that time in the United States’ history, with damages in the billions, displacement of thousands and even deaths. The River had pushed over the levees along its course, creating one of the biggest floods to ever impact the nation, replacing entire cities and disrupting the lives of many.
Impact of The Event
The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 prompted the Congress, through the impetus of President Coolidge, to initiate a general plan for the comprehensive control of floods on the lower Mississippi River. The initiative led to the formation of the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association and the eventual passage of the Flood Control Act of 1928.
The act was the first of several monumental measures that changed the face of river control, outlining the governance and regulation of the waters of the Mississippi. The Act was passed in response to the massive and destructive flooding that had occurred in 1927. Under the 1928 Act, the Army Corps of Engineers, the governors of the states, and a variety of state and federal agencies would be responsible for implementing the plan.
Mississippi Flood Control
In response to the flood, the government constructed and improved levees, created more riverside channels, and built other flood control measures to ensure that no other flooding on the same level as the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 could ever occur again.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still responsible for the maintenance and operation of the levee system, making sure that this incredibly important river does not revert to the flood stage it experienced in the 1927 disaster. The levees are monitored frequently and a variety of software programs are used to observe and analyze the water levels around the levees, keeping the surrounding areas safe.
Ecological Impact of the Flood Control System
The levee system of control that was put in place however has had a detrimental effect on the health of the Mississippi. The channeling of the river’s flow has led to a decrease in the natural flow of the river, leading to a decrease in the amount of sediment being carried by the river and a decrease of nutrients reaching the Delta. This has in turn led to an increased degradation of the wetlands and habitats around the Delta, threatening animal and plant life in those areas.
The Army Corps of Engineers has taken steps to address this issue by creating replicas of the river’s meanderings from before the flood control system was in place. This helps to recreate an area where species, flora and fauna, can thrive, and to help give the river back the dynamic that it enjoyed before.
Sedimentation Challenges
However, as with any form of flood control, sedimentation of the river remains a challenge. The sediment will eventually build up within the levees and cause the river to rise, leading to an even greater risk of flooding. To address this, the Army Corps of Engineers has devised a plan to use technology to monitor sedimentation levels, making sure that the levees are never overwhelmed.
The Corps utilizes a variety of sensors, measuring devices and technology to regularly monitor the river to detect changes in water levels. In addition, other measures, such as the use of dredging, are also used to help ensure that the sediment levels remain within acceptable levels, providing an important layer of protection against potential flooding.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River is rich in history and its floods are one of its great defining features. It has been subjected to periodic floods due to its immense size and power, leading to displacement, destruction and even death. Yet, only once has the river boarded its traditional course, experienced a backwards flow due to unusual consecutive days of rain and snowmelt – when its Great Flood of 1927 occurred.
In an effort to protect the region, the Flood Control Act of 1928 was created as a response, though it has had its own ramifications on the Mississippi River’s health. To tackle this, the Army Corps of Engineers has been responsible for the design and maintenance of the levees, using a variety of sensors and technology to ensure that they are never overwhelmed. Thanks to their efforts, the Mississippi River is better prepared than ever before, contributing to its importance and strength.
