{"id":10912,"date":"2023-10-13T03:10:13","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T02:10:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=10912"},"modified":"2023-10-13T03:10:13","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T02:10:13","slug":"how-wide-is-the-mississippi-river-at-little-rock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/how-wide-is-the-mississippi-river-at-little-rock\/","title":{"rendered":"How Wide Is The Mississippi River At Little Rock"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The mighty Mississippi River runs from its source in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico, a staggering 2,300 miles later. Along its journey, the Mississippi River has been a major part of the history and culture of those who have called it home. Notably, a small section of the Mississippi River skirts Little Rock, Arkansas, whose population sits at a comfortable 195,000 residents. How wide is the Mississippi River at Little Rock? <\/p>\n

The answer to this question is determined by a variety of factors, including rainfall, the velocity of the current and fluctuating water levels. On average, the width of the Mississippi River at Little Rock is approximately one thousand feet — an imposing expanse. This width, however, is likely to shrink or expand depending on the annual precipitation and how the water is handled downstream. <\/p>\n

Notably, expert hydrologists consider the Mississippi River at Little Rock to be one of the River’s more hemmed-in sections due to a series of locks and dams in the area. These such barriers, which hold the volume of water at Little Rock in place, were implemented during the mid and late 20th century for the purposes of commercial barge traffic as well as hydroelectric power and flood control. Indeed, the Army Corps of Engineers spends much of its time monitoring river levels at Little Rock and making sure that the tamed expanse meets the criteria of the River Master Manual, a document that outlines the governmental regulations which are to be applied up and down the Mississippi. <\/p>\n

Furthermore, the River Master Manual includes plans for floodplain management. In simplest terms, this means that if there is an unusual influx of water, or if the river’s water levels become unpredictable, the hydrologists who are tasked with watching the Mississippi River at Little Rock will adjust the locks and dams accordingly. This helps to keep the Mississippi River’s surrounding area safe, as well as keeping the channel navigable for commercial barges. <\/p>\n