{"id":10244,"date":"2023-10-08T05:25:02","date_gmt":"2023-10-08T04:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=10244"},"modified":"2023-10-08T05:25:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-08T04:25:02","slug":"how-long-will-mississippi-river-flood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/how-long-will-mississippi-river-flood\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Will Mississippi River Flood"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Mississippi River flooding is a major concern for residents and businesses along the river, but knowing how long it will last can be hard to predict. In part, this is because the length of a Mississippi River flood is highly sensitive to weather conditions, specifically rainfall and the amount of snowmelt that flows into the river each year. The geography of the river also contributes to the length of a flood and is a key factor, particularly in the lowermost section of the Mississippi River.<\/p>\n

In terms of meteorological influences, the amount of rainfall in the Central and Northern United States will have a major impact on how long the Mississippi River floods. Generally, above-average rainfall produces large volumes of runoff and therefore a longer period of flooding. In addition, if there is snowmelt occurring in the Upper Midwest and Northern parts of the country, then this too will add to the total runoff into the river and lengthen the period of Mississippi River flooding.<\/p>\n

As for its geographical influences, the width and curvature of the Mississippi River contributes to the length of a Mississippi River flood. The Lower Mississippi River, which runs through Louisiana and part of Mississippi, tends to flood longer due to its meandering channel. The actual channel can vary greatly in width and this variable geography helps to spread out the water as it moves downstream, slowing down the flood.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the location of locations along the Mississippi River can also affect the duration of a flood; If a town is located near a major tributary to the Mississippi, then flooding tends to be more severe and last for a longer time. Large tributaries such as the Ohio River, which feeds into the Mississippi just north of Memphis, can increase the amount of water that enters the Mississippi River, thus pushing floodwaters further downstream and prolonging the duration.<\/p>\n