{"id":13219,"date":"2023-12-18T23:25:13","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T22:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=13219"},"modified":"2023-12-18T23:25:13","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T22:25:13","slug":"is-lower-mississippi-river-fast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/is-lower-mississippi-river-fast\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Lower Mississippi River Fast"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Lower Mississippi River Fast: Overview<\/h2>\n

The Lower Mississippi River is a network of interconnected waterways stretching from Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico. At 2,320 miles (3,734 kilometers) long, the river is the fourth longest river in the United States. Its current creates a significant source of natural power which has been harnessed by the construction of 27 locks and dams along the Lower Mississippi. This has, in turn, enabled the river to be navigable for hundreds of miles along its length. <\/p>\n

The Lower Mississippi is a rapidly moving river, and has been defined by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as a “floodplain river”, or a river that experiences varying current speeds over the course of its length. The speed of the river is impacted by a number of factors, including changes in riverbed composition, rainfall events and the introduction of man-made obstructions. In general, the fastest portion of the Lower Mississippi occurs in the northern section of the river, where water flows rapidly over shallower submerged channels and exposed rock ledges.<\/p>\n

Impacts of Fast Water Flow<\/h2>\n

The fast-moving current of the Lower Mississippi has a number of impacts on water navigation, the local environment and the communities located along its shoreline. In terms of water navigation and transportation, the rapid current of the river makes it difficult to operate ferries, towboats and other vessels. For environmental reasons, the fast current can cause scour, erosion, sedimentation and other hydrological processes which can lead to soil degradation and other water-related issues. For the nearby communities, the fast current presents an increased risk of flooding and other water-related events.<\/p>\n

The fast flow of the river is also a source of power for a number of energy projects, including the Tenn-Tom Waterway. Construction of the river locks and dams has not only increased navigation safety and decreased navigation time, but has also created the opportunity for energy production.<\/p>\n

Improving Safety and Reliability<\/h2>\n