Less well-known than the great flood of 1927, the April 12th – April 15th, 1922 Mississippi River flood caused the river to actually flow backwards at various points throughout the mid-south. The highly publicized flood of 1927 is more well known, but it pales in comparison to what happened in 1922, which came to be known as the ‘Great Reversal of the Mississippi’.
The Great Reversal was a result of a perfect storm consisting of several heavy spring rains coming down from the north and south banks of the river at the same time. The already swollen river was forced towards the spongy delta of Vidalia, Louisiana by a heavy wind from the southwest pushing it in that direction. This combination of heavy wind and rain caused a severe drop in the riverbed, forcing it to flow in the opposite direction, temporarily.
The effects of the Great Reversal can still be felt today, as the force of the changing water direction severely undercut the banks of the Mississippi. This killed thousands of trees and caused eternal damage to the environment along the river, while leaving behind large sand bars, islands, and lakes that made navigation difficult, especially in the lower reaches of the river.
The response of engineers, conservationists and policy makers was quick and decisive. They built the Old River Control Structure to prevent the river from reversing itself again, and to stop it from flowing into the Atchafalaya Basin, which is one of the most flood-prone regions in the United States. This structure diverts a portion of the Mississippi’s flow into the Atchafalaya Basin and distributes it evenly along the river, thus preventing severe floods like that of 1922 from happening again.
The structure has been extremely effective in minimizing the impact of flooding and other disasters along the Mississippi River. It has even helped to reduce the cost of human lives associated with floods, which had once been a significant issue in the region.
In the wake of the Great Reversal, the Mississippi River and its surrounding areas have seen an increase in tourism and economic development and a decrease in the likelihood of flooding. This is due, in part, to the successful implementation of the old river control structure and other conservation efforts along the river.
Fishing Industry Impact
The fishing industry in the Mississippi River and its tributaries was particularly affected by the reversal. Practically overnight, the river’s ecologically abundant environment shifted from calm, slow-moving and perfect for a fishing excursion to rocky, fast current and shallow depths. This undoubtedly put a strain on not only fishermen, but on the shipping industry as well, having to navigate around new sandbars and islands.
The effects of this shift made fishing along the Mississippi less profitable and more dangerous, as fishermen were no longer able to cast their nets and lines in the same places or with the same success that they had had prior to the Great Reversal. Additionally, the river’s rich biodiversity had been severely depleted, with fish leaving parts of the river that had become impassable.
Recovery, though it did occur, has been a slow process that is still ongoing even today. As more conservation efforts are put in place, more species of fish are returning to their former habitats. Additionally, improved shipping and navigation technologies, such as dredges and barges, have made it easier for fishermen to account for the shifting patterns in the river.
Tribes & Communities
The communities and tribes that live along the Mississippi River were also heavily impacted by the Great Reversal. The force of the changing water direction, as well as its effects on the local environment, uprooted many of the tribes and forced them to find new homes. Additionally, the flooding that had occurred made it nearly impossible for the tribes to hunt or fish, as much of the wildlife had either been killed or scattered.
Furthermore, the vast majority of the Native American population in the area was left without the resources they relied upon, with the US government failing to provide adequate relief and assistance to those affected. Even today, many of the tribes and communities that live along the Mississippi are still feeling the after-effects of the Great Reversal.
In the aftermath of the 1922 Great Reversal, the various tribes have had to adapt and adjust to the new reality that the river had presented them with. In recent years, efforts to restore land and wildlife along the river have been undertaken, but unfortunately the process of rebuilding and restoring the river to its prior state is ongoing and will take many more years before it is finished.
Contemporary Solutions
In the present day, the various institutions responsible for the maintenance of the river are focusing on preventative measures designed to lessen the risk of flooding and other natural disasters while also attempting to restore and preserve the river’s ecosystems. This has led to the implementation of conservation and recreational regulations that focus on the conservation of natural habitats and the preservation of the historic sites that exist along the Mississippi.
The Old River Control Structure, as well as new technologies and techniques, are being used to monitor and control the river’s flow. This has been very successful in reducing the risk of future flooding along the Mississippi, while still allowing the river to maintain its historic charm and beauty.
Furthermore, collaborative efforts between the various state, local, and federal governments have resulted in the introduction of various initiatives, such as the Great River Road program and the Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge. These initiatives are aimed at preserving and restoring the natural beauty of the Mississippi while also providing an economic boost to local communities.
Environmental Concerns
Despite these various efforts, the environment along the Mississippi River remains an area of concern. The river has been heavily polluted over the years and this has had a negative effect on its ecology and the species of wildlife that inhabit it. In addition, the amount of sediment and other pollutants carried by the river has increased, depositing those into the Louisiana Delta and other vulnerable regions.
As such, various conservation projects and initiatives have been put into place in order to reduce the amount of pollution in the river, improve water quality, and restore the original habitats of the region. These projects have been successful in reducing the levels of pollution in the river, however more still needs to be done to ensure that the river and its surrounding areas remain a safe and healthy environment for future generations.
Economic Benefits
Apart from environmental concerns, the Mississippi River and its surroundings have also become a major source of income for many of the states that border it. Tourism, recreation, and shipping industries have all been major beneficiaries of this resource, providing jobs, economic growth, and a relatively low cost of living for the people in the area.
The ability to utilize this river as a transportation route has allowed businesses to be able to ship products and merchandise with relative ease. Additionally, the introduction of casinos and other recreational activities have allowed many of the local and national businesses to expand their customer base and generate more profits, which can be reinvested in other areas.
The Mississippi River will continue to play a critical role in the development of the area and the country as a whole. The flood of 1922 may have drastically altered the course of the river, but the various initiatives and efforts have allowed the local communities and businesses to bounce back and maintain their leadership position in the region.
