Introduction
The Mississippi River is one of the major rivers in North America, flowing for 3,782 kilometers from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. It runs through 10 states, two Canadian provinces, and is considered one of the longest rivers in the United States. It’s known for its size, and its widest parts are of particular interest which is why it’s essential to understand the details of the Mississippi River and its related features.
Main Topic – Widest Part of the Mississippi River
When looking at the Mississippi River and its width, it’s normally measured in feet, not miles. The widest part of the Mississippi River near Algiers Point, Louisiana measures 7 miles wide. That’s the widest measured point along the river’s 3,794-mile span. But, it’s wider in certain parts, particularly in the upper and lower basin because, due to the nature of the river being more shallow, it increases in width while maintaining its current course.
The widest parts of the Mississippi River consist of its headwaters, which is the area where it originates from and continues for about 2000 miles. In this area, the width of the river averages 4-6 miles wide, still far larger than most other rivers in North America. The widest area of the Mississippi River is just past the northern part of Algiers Point, Louisiana which measures 7 miles wide, which makes it wider than the Columbia River which is only 4 miles across.
The width of the river does increase in certain areas as it goes downstream, but it never exceeds the 7 mile width near Algiers Point. As a matter of fact, the further you go downstream the narrower it gets, until finally it reaches the Gulf of Mexico. This occurs because the drainage basin of the Mississippi River is funneled into a smaller area, which squeezes the river into a narrow area.
Researchers have found that the width of the Mississippi River changes with the weather and season. In the summer months, it’s wider due to increased rainfall and increased water flow into the river. This is mainly in the upper and lower reaches of the Mississippi River, as the width in the middle reaches remains relatively the same.
The river’s width does not just vary by season or location, but it also varies by activity. When it’s high season for barges, it is often wider due to the movement of large vessels. This is significant due to the fact that the movement of large vessels has an affect on the size of the river and its width, so they can cause it to become more narrow or more wide in certain areas.
Journey Along the Mississippi River – Flood Plains and the Erosion of the River Banks
Traveling or navigating along the Mississippi River is a journey in itself. It hosts a variety of sights and sounds, due to the amount of activity from boats as well as the wide variety of nature along its banks. The flood plains that surround the river provide an additional element of activity to its shores since they are planted in the river’s entirety.
The erosion of the banks along the Mississippi River has also become a defining characteristic of the region. As is typical with many rivers, its banks can erode leading to shifted and unstable foundational structures that put areas along its banks at risk. The cities and towns along the river are especially vulnerable to the shifting and erosion which has been a problem over the years.
The challenge is that the banks of the Mississippi River often need to be manicured and maintained properly in order to prevent serious erosion. This means a lot of resources and money have to be invested into ensuring that the banks remain stable and safe. This can be a challenge, especially with the changing weather in the upper and lower reaches of the Mississippi River.
In addition, the certain soil structure of some areas along the river can exacerbate the erosion problem since different soils often handle water differently. Clay soils and sandy soils handle water differently and can thus cause an immediate erosion problem. This is why there often has to be an especially strict and vigilant monitoring regime put in place along the river banks in order to ensure the safety of the region.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Erosion of the Mississippi River Banks?
In order to prevent the erosion of the banks along the Mississippi River, there needs to be a number of proactive steps taken in order to ensure that the banks remain safe and stable. Firstly, the structures along the banks need to be constantly monitored and managed. This requires a certain amount of monitoring regime, with resources put into ensuring that the banks and structures along them remain stable.
In addition, the engineers need to develop a comprehensive plan in order to ensure that the river is kept within its current flow and course. This requires engineering and geological expertise in order to guarantee that the bank is not eroded beyond its current format. This plan can include various strategies in order to secure the course to a certain degree, the most important of which being a secure base foundation to prevent erosion.
Conclusion – Flooding and Drought
The width of the Mississippi River is 7 miles wide near Algiers Point, Louisiana and in its upper and lower reaches. It is essential to understand this if you are planning to travel along the river. The erosion of the banks of the river is a serious concern, and needs to be taken seriously in order to prevent damage to the area. Additionally, the river can be affected by floods or droughts, making it necessary to factor this into plans for the securing the banks of the river.
