{"id":9051,"date":"2023-12-17T08:40:12","date_gmt":"2023-12-17T07:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=9051"},"modified":"2023-12-17T08:40:12","modified_gmt":"2023-12-17T07:40:12","slug":"how-deep-is-the-mississippi-river-in-la-crosse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/how-deep-is-the-mississippi-river-in-la-crosse\/","title":{"rendered":"How Deep Is The Mississippi River In La Crosse"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Definition<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River is located in the United States of America and is the second longest river in North America, running 2,340 miles from its source in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to its termination point in the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. It flows through or along the borders of 10 states over its course, and is a major thoroughfare for a variety of shipping and transportation, as well as a vital resource for a variety of communities on the banks of its path. LaCrosse is one particular city that is situated along the Mississippi, and is home to a variety of cultural and recreational activities that bring in visitors from all over the world.<\/p>\n

Depth<\/h2>\n

The bottom of the Mississippi River varies in depth throughout its path. The mainstream deep pool navigation channels, for commercial transportation purposes, for example, is typically over 200 feet deep. For the portion of the Mississippi closest to LaCrosse, however, the average depth is quite shallow. According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, the depth of the Mississippi at LaCrosse is typically around 4 – 6 feet. This is because the area is mostly composed of sand and gravel bars, with specific channels, or deep pools, that are available for navigation.<\/p>\n

Erosion<\/h2>\n

That said, the bottom layers of the Mississippi, even at LaCrosse, can be subjected to significant erosion, which can cause the water levels to drop in certain areas. Over the years, the US Army Corps of Engineers has worked to construct structures that are meant to help prevent this erosion, including dikes, levees, and dams, but it is an ongoing process that needs to be carefully monitored.<\/p>\n

Restrictions<\/h2>\n

Because of the relatively shallow depth of the Mississippi River at LaCrosse, there are some inherent restrictions to consider when it comes to navigating it. In general, any vessels navigating the river are required to be deeper than six feet in terms of draft in order to avoid any problems or restrictions, and the US Corps of Engineers imposes several other restrictions to ensure the safety of navigation for all parties.<\/p>\n

LaCrosse Riverfront<\/h2>\n