As the Arkansas River floods cause devastating destruction, understanding how the waters will affect other rivers is critical. The Arkansas River is expected to reach from Little Rock in central Arkansas to where it meets the Mississippi River near Helena-West Helena, a distance of about 328 miles. At its highest, the Arkansas River has risen to 37 1/2 feet at the river gauge in Dardanelle, surpassing its previous record of 34 feet. The flooding of the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers could cause catastrophic property damage and the displacement of thousands of individuals.
The inhabitants of Arkansas, Missouri, and other states in the region have expressed their concern about how the waters from the Arkansas River will enter the Mississippi River. The process of flooding is complicated and involves several factors, including whether the Delta Levees are breached and how much rain falls in the region. However, many experts agree that the water from the Arkansas River will enter the Mississippi River primarily by way of the Arkansas-White-Red Rivers confluence. At this junction, the Arkansas River, the White River, and the Red River merge to form the Mississippi River.
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced that they have evaluated the situation and determined that the flooding of the Arkansas River poses a great risk to the Delta Levees, which could cause the Mississippi River to rise higher than it ever has. Engineers from USACE report that if the Arkansas River waters were to reach the Delta Levees, it would raise the water of the Mississippi by an extra four feet in some areas. Furthermore, the USACE expects that the water levels of the Mississippi River will rise further even if the Delta Levees are not breached.
Cities downstream from the confluence of the rivers are particularly concerned because the flooding of the Arkansas will send surging water down the Mississippi River. Cities along the banks of the Mississippi, such as Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, would be the first to feel the effects. In addition to flooding, the influx of Arkansas waters will also create an increase in pollutants and sediment, which could have detrimental health effects. The combined flooding of the Arkansas River and the Mississippi River will also affect the wildlife, spawning bed habitats, and the fish that use the three rivers.
Recent studies show that flooding in the Mississippi Basin increases significantly each time the Arkansas River floods. Flooding has already caused the displacement of hundreds of people and the destruction of many homes and businesses. If floodwaters are not properly managed, thousands more people could be put in danger and even more property lost. In response to this growing threat, the USACE is launching a project to assess and improve the levees in the region to better protect communities from the potential floods.
The combination of the Arkansas River flooding and the rising waters of the Mississippi River will undoubtedly have major implications for the three states affected. To ensure the safety of the people living in these states, government agencies must work together to prepare for and manage the expected floods. Knowing the ways in which both rivers affect each other is an important step in developing a plan to prepare for and prevent catastrophic flooding.
Impact of Floodwaters on Mississippi River Basin
In addition to the direct flooding of property and lives caused by the Arkansas and Mississippi River flooding, the long-term impact of the flooding must be considered. The impact of the floodwaters on the Mississippi River Basin goes beyond the destruction of property and homes.
The Mississippi River Basin encompasses 40 percent of the 48 contiguous states and provides valuable drinking water for over 30 million people. The flooding of the Arkansas River waters affects the water quality of the Mississippi River Basin as the water upstream carries large amounts of pollutants and sediment. This could lead to serious environmental and public health consequences downstream, such as water contamination and the spread of water-borne diseases.
In addition, the flooding of the Arkansas River significantly affects the navigation of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The increase in sediment can cause shoaling and other navigational issues, which impacts the ability of boats and ships to navigate the river. This can lead to losses in income and redistribute the flow of goods and services along the river.
The combination of the Arkansas River and Mississippi River flooding also has the potential to significantly disrupt the ecosystems of the area. The destruction of the habitats and spawning beds of the fish in the rivers will significantly reduce the fish populations. Additionally, the destruction of these habitats could significantly harm the species that depend on these resources for their livelihood, such as birds and mammals, who could suffer heavy losses due to the destruction caused by the floodwaters.
The destruction of the habitats supports and the disruption of ecosystems will cause long-term impacts and damages that could take many years to heal. To minimize the long-term impacts, it is important to promote sustainable management practices to support the species affected by the floods, such as fish and wildlife, before, during, and after the floodwaters recede.
Effects of Deforestation on Flooding
Deforestation, the process by which forests are cleared for new use, has been identified by many as a major contributor to flooding. Studies show that deforestation causes soil erosion, water run-off, and other effects that can contribute to flooding.
The Arkansas River and its tributaries are in an area with high levels of deforestation. The forests in this region have been cleared for farmland, industrial uses, and other development. This deforestation has a direct impact on flooding because it affects the flow of water and increases the amount of sediment and pollutants carried by the waters of the rivers.
The deforestation of the Arkansas River has become a serious problem and is having a major impact on the ability of the rivers to hold back floodwaters. It is estimated that the deforestation of the Arkansas River has caused the river to swell up seven to eight times faster than it would without deforestation.
The Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers are also subject to land-use changes, such as agricultural activities and urbanization, which can cause water run-off and an increase in sediment in the river. To reduce the impacts of deforestation and land-use changes on flooding, it is important to promote sustainable management practices, such as reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and watershed protection, to better manage the flow of water into the rivers.
Mitigation Plans to Minimize Damages
To manage the expected flooding of the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers, government agencies have developed plans to minimize the destruction and damages caused by the waters. These plans have been designed to mitigate the risk of flooding, protect lives and property, and improve the overall health of the three rivers.
The plans include controlling the amount of water flowing into the rivers through dams and reservoirs, conducting extensive levee maintenance, utilizing advanced channel engineering to improve the flow of the water, and constructing flood-control systems, such as dikes and berms, to protect people and property. The plans also include planting vegetation along the banks of the rivers to reduce the likelihood of erosion, improve the water quality and help control the flow of water.
In addition to the above-mentioned plans, government agencies and non-profit organizations have been working together to develop technological solutions and other innovative approaches, such as rainwater harvesting, to reduce the risk of flooding. These initiatives are aimed at providing assistance to people affected by the floods and helping to restore the ecosystems of the rivers.
Sustainable development practices and the implementation of these plans can help to protect the three states from the dangers of flooding and the destruction it can cause. It is essential to ensure that everyone throughout the region is able to understand and adhere to the plans in order to prevent flooding from taking a serious toll on the people, wildlife, and environment in the region.
Public Involvement Required For Prevention
The prevention of flooding requires the involvement of the public. It is essential for the citizens in the Mississippi River Basin to be aware of the dangers of flooding and to take the necessary steps to help reduce the risk of flooding.
Government agencies and non-profit organizations have been working together to create educational programs and materials that provide information about flooding and its correlation with deforestation and other land-use changes. These initiatives have been designed to create awareness and educate the public about the dangers of flooding and the best practices to minimize the risk.
In addition to these initiatives, government agencies and private organizations have been offering financial assistance and other resources to help individuals and communities affected by the flooding of the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers. These resources are aimed at providing assistance to those in need and helping to protect lives and property.
It is essential for the public to be informed and involved in the prevention of flooding. Working together, people throughout the region can help to prepare for, manage, and prevent floods from taking a serious toll on the people and environment in the Mississippi River Basin.
Employment Opportunities To Reduce Risks
In order to reduce the risk of flooding, government agencies and non-profit organizations have created numerous employment opportunities in the region. These jobs range from engineering and hydrological positions to field technicians and floodplain managers.
The engineers and hydrologists have an important role to play in managing the flooding of the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers. These professionals analyze the data, develop and implement plans to protect communities, and build and maintain the levees, dikes, and control systems that help to reduce the risk of flooding.
Field technicians are also necessary to maintain the levees and other flood mitigation systems. They inspect and maintain the levees and other systems, identify potential structural issues, and work to prevent flooding from occurring.
In addition to these engineers and technicians, floodplain managers work to regulate how and where people can build in flooded areas. They identify properties that are located in floodplains and work to ensure these properties are not developed or used for any purpose that could increase the risk of flooding.
The creation of these employment opportunities helps to ensure that the people and communities in the region are better prepared to prevent and manage flooding. Working together, the government agencies and non-profit organizations can ensure that the Mississippi River Basin is better protected from the devastating effects of floods.
