History of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is one of the world’s longest rivers, winding its way through 11 U.S. States before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. The river has served many purposes throughout its history, from a source of fish and wildlife, to an artery of industry and transportation. While the physical beauty of the Mississippi River draws visitors and admirers every day, its intricacies and nuances also keep many engineers and historians enthralled. Among the many fascinating aspects of this river is the bridge supports, and the numbers associated with them
What are the numbers on bridge supports over Mississippi River?
If you look at any of the bridges that span the Mississippi River, you’ll notice that each bridge has a distinct set of numbers painted onto its support columns. These numbers are usually black in color and are usually quite large, ensuring that they can be seen from a distance. Depending on the bridge, the numbers may be accompanied by the bridge’s name, as well.
Historically, the numbers have been in place to help identify bridges and structural support points, aiding in the process of navigation. The painted numbers and bridge names can be quickly identified and relayed to river pilots, helping boaters to easily find a particular bridge or support point.
More recently, the numbers on the bridge supports are used for a variety of purposes. For example, the information on the bridge supports is used to identify the bridge and its supports if there is a need for maintenance or repair. With the numbers, engineers can quickly and accurately identify and assess the ailing portion of the bridge.
The numbers on the Mississippi River bridge supports have both historic and practical importance, then. They are one of the many ways that the Mississippi River has been an important part of the histories of the United States and the other 11 states that it flows through.
Erosion of the Mississippi River
One of the challenges that engineers have faced with the Mississippi River is the constant erosion of its banks. The river is constantly in flux and the strong current can seriously damage river banks, eroding them away over time. To combat this, many engineers have used planted vegetation on the shoreline to slow the progress of erosion.
In certain cases, the planted vegetation has not been enough to slow the progress of erosion and other preventative measures have needed to be taken. This has included the use of barriers and manmade structures, such as concrete piling, to protect the river banks. The numbers associated with these structures is another way to ensure they are tracked and monitored, helping to protect the river’s waterway.
River Levels and the Mississippi River
River levels play an important role in protecting the Mississippi River, too. For one thing, the higher the river level, the more powerful the current. This increased force can bring about increased erosion of the river’s banks, which can be both a hazard to the river and its surroundings. By monitoring the numbers on the bridge supports, engineers can get an accurate snapshot of the current river level and make sure that the river is not becoming too powerful.
On the other hand, when the river level is too low, boats and other vessels may be unable to navigate due to shallow waters. This means that bridges need to account for the changing water level, too. The numbers on the bridge supports can help bridge engineers to evaluate how much it will drop in order to adjust the bridge’s height and make sure that it’s still navigable.
The Transportation of Goods Along the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is one of the busiest and most important rivers in the US, hosting a large number of vessels that are transporting goods from upstream to downstream. The height of bridges is an important consideration for these vessels, as the clearance height must be sufficient for the vessel and its cargo. By having the numbers on the bridge supports, bridge engineers can quickly assess how much clearance height needs to be maintained to allow these vessels to pass through.
The numbers on the bridge supports also help to prevent potential collisions. With the information provided by the numbers, vessel captains know exactly how close they can get to a particular structure in a safe manner. This helps to prevent potential accidents, and keeps the waterways safe.
Environmental Preservation Along the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is not only a vital transportation artery but also a beautiful, natural site. To ensure that the river is able to continue to be enjoyed by generations to come, there are many measures, such as the bridge numbers, that have been taken to protect its fragile ecosystem. By keeping tabs on the status of the river and its various structures, river engineers and officials can ensure that the Mississippi River is kept safe and in its current state for many years to come.
Conclusion
The numbers on bridge supports over the Mississippi River may seem like an obscure detail, but they actually play an important role in its protection and preservation. By providing engineers with a quick and easy way to identify, monitor and protect the river, they are helping to ensure its health and beauty. It is clear then, that everyone who enjoys the Mississippi River owes a huge debt to the engineers and bridge numbers that have made it possible.
