The Mississippi River is a real mystery, with its level changing drastically every so often and its course shifting in unpredictable ways. One of the most mysterious aspects of the river is the question of its highest point – what is the highest the Mississippi River has been?
First, let’s explore the physical geography of the area. The Mississippi River, part of the Missouri-Mississippi watershed, stretches from New Orleans to St Louis and is the largest watershed in the United States. With an average depth of 11.5 meters and a width of 2,320 kilometers, it is the fourth longest river in the world.
The highest that the Mississippi River has ever been depends on the season, but generally the recorded level is 17.6 meters. This occurred during the Great Flood of 1927, a period when the river rose higher than it had been in history. At that time, 14 states throughout the Mississippi Valley were inundated with thick mud and debris, destroying tens of thousands of homes, ruining crops and livestock, and resulting in the deaths of more than 400 people. The event, as described by many survivors, was nightmarish, affecting nearly 1 million people and costing six billion dollars in damages.
Today, the risk of such an event is significantly reduced due to flood-control infrastructure such as dams, levees, and other safety measures put in the place by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. However, even with these added features, the risk is not completely eliminated; each summer, when heavy rainfalls bring water levels back up, the river can still swell to unprecedented heights.
Experts point out that despite the reduced risk of such catastrophic flooding, climate change and population growth have caused an increase in runoff and thus the risk of flooding is more a cause for concern than ever before. The added effects of global warming and man-made water pollution are expected to increase the severity of flooding events in the future, potentially year-round.
As if that’s not worrying enough, due to subsidence in the area, the risk of flooding increases even more. Subsidence is a natural process whereby the ground level within a certain area falls due to tectonic activity or other geological activity. In the Lower Mississippi River Basin, subsidence is up to 22 times faster than the global average, placing the area in a particularly vulnerable position.
Overall, the highest the Mississippi River has ever been is 17.6 meters, but this height could be surpassed in the future. The risk of flooding should be taken seriously owing to the effects of climate change, subsidence, and population growth, as the pressure on the river’s banks increases.
Historical Perspective
While the great flood of 1927 stands out among the most catastrophic events in the Mississippi’s history, the river has been no stranger to dramatic highs and lows. As far back as 1717, the river burst its levees, sending a swath of destruction across present-day Louisiana and Mississippi. The flood depths throughout the region reached as high as 25 feet, with an estimated 300 lives lost in the aftermath. In total, the resulting damage toppled over 4,000 homes and caused economic losses surpassing $3 million in today’s currency.
Early on in the 19th century, the Carrolton Levee Accident of 1816 was yet another reminder of the river’s capability for destruction. The levee’s sudden failure sent floodwaters gushing through the surrounding fields and plantations. The death toll was considerable, with numerous residents swept away to their deaths. In response to this shaking incident, the state of Louisiana proposed the Carrollton Levee System, which finally came to fruition in 1819.
Although much of the segment of the river that flows through Louisiana and Mississippi is relatively tame these days, there will always be the chance of the waters rising unexpectedly, and the potential for enormous amounts of damage always exists. The historical perspective serves as a reminder of both the Mississippi River’s destructive capability, and the vital role that infrastructure plays in protecting the region from flooding.
Impact of Flooding
Despite the gains made in protecting the areas surrounding the Mississippi River through improved infrastructure, flooding can still have devastating economic and environmental impacts. Extensive flooding can not only destroy homes, it can ruin businesses, block important transportation links, contaminate water supplies, and cause extensive agricultural damage.
According to the 2018 Study on Extreme Weather and Climate Change in the Mississippi River Basin, flooding events between 1983 and 2008 cost an estimated $540 million, with the number of extreme events rising every year. In addition to this, findings from the Environmental Protection Agency suggest that sediment from flooding events is leading to the nutrient pollution, water shortages, and other hazardous effects related to the river’s degradation.
Furthermore, the potential for long-term damage to the ecosystem, wildlife habitats, and other delicate areas of the river need to be taken into account. For example, wildlife refuge areas and other nature preserves could suffer long-lasting effects from floods. Furthermore, the species inhabiting the river itself could be adversely affected, as changes in water levels invariably disrupt the river’s normal flow and lead to instabilities in food webs and other environmental systems.
Mitigation Measures
Given the severity of potential flooding in the region, it is clear that mitigation processes are essential to managing the river. There are a variety of mitigation measures available, with the most common ones being the construction of levees, dams, and other flood control structures.
These structures can prevent catastrophic flooding from happening by controlling the flow of the river and increasing the floodplain. However, prevention is only one half of the equation, as the region needs to be able to bounce back quickly if flooding does occur. In response to this, organizations like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have developed specific post-flood recovery plans in order to quickly repair damaged infrastructure and return communities to a functional state.
In addition to engineering approaches, there are a number of other nonstructural approaches to managing the risk of flooding. Public education programs help educate people about the potential impacts of flooding, as well as ways to stay safe when disaster strikes. Furthermore, programs are in place to replace deteriorating infrastructure and improve public warning systems to give people more time to prepare for floods.
Advance relief and response
Alongside the infrastructure needed to manage the risk of flooding, government organizations are also actively involved in relief and response efforts once floods occur. These efforts, ranging from rescue and recovery efforts to aid in rebuilding and reparations, are vital for helping communities rebuild after severe flooding.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is the main organization responsible for coordinating these relief efforts. They provide both material aid, such as food, water, and medical aid, as well as technical and financial assistance for post-flood rebuilding. Furthermore, FEMA defines specific disaster areas so that affected communities can receive increased levels of aid.
In addition to FEMA, other organizations are involved in providing relief and response to flooding issues. These organizations include the Red Cross, world governments, and numerous charities. These organizations not only provide direct aid to those affected, they also provide technical support and financial assistance to help communities get back on their feet.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River has been known to rise to unexpected levels, as evidenced by its highest recorded level of 17.6 meters. In order to prepare for and protect both human and natural systems from these events, a variety of engineering and nonstructural approaches have been employed. Despite the gains made, climate change, population growth, and subsidence can elevate the risk of flooding in the region. These challenges are being taken seriously, and with the efforts of government organizations, charities, and independent initiatives, the region is well equipped to respond to the threat of flooding.
