These conditions were followed by persistent weather patterns that produced storms over the same locations. The stage was set in 1992 with a wet fall which resulted in above normal soil moisture and reservoir levels in the Missouri and Upper Mississippi River basins. Uniquely extreme weather and hydrologic conditions led to the flood of 1993. The number of record river levels, the aerial extent, the number of persons displaced, amount of crop and property damage and its duration surpassed all earlier U.S. The use of sandbags (typically mined from local sources) often helps reinforce these levees, preventing a possible disaster.The size and impact of the Great Flood of 1993 was unprecedented and is considered the most costly and devastating flood to ravage the U.S. Over time these deposits build up creating natural levees.īreaches in levees, both natural and manmade, have occurred over time. The coarser materials tend to get dropped from the water along the edges of the channel. When the river floods, it deposits silt, sand and gravel along the floodplain. In addition to man-made levees, the Mississippi River also creates its own natural levees. Man made levees can also be constructed as concrete walls, such as those in downtown Vicksburg. These levees can be constructed by building up earth mounds to a height above the expected flood level. Some of these levee walls can be seen in downtown Vicksburg. These levees protect towns along the river from a massive flood disaster. The current channel of the Mississippi River is held in place by a series of artificial levees constructed by the U.S. Because so much infrastructure has been built on these flood plains, major flooding can lead to damaged property and other dangers, which has led to the construction of levees along the river. During a flood, the river will overflow its banks and spread across the flood plain. The flat land extending beyond the river channel is known as the flood plains. The Mississippi River floods most years, predominantly in late spring during peak runoff season. Seasonal flooding is expected every year, but it varies greatly depending on the timing and quantity of snow melt and heavy rain events. In the spring of 2018, the Mississippi River crested at 55.8 feet, less than two feet from the historic flood of 2011. Earlier in the month on May 9th, the flow of the river past Vicksburg reached over 2 million cubic feet per second. In Vicksburg, the flood crest reached 57.1 ft on May 18. The Great Flood of 2011 was the most recent extreme flooding event. The man-made concrete levee in downtown Vicksburg helps to keep the flooding waters out of the town, and contain murals of the local history. This significantly accelerated the Great Migration. After flood waters receded, thousands of African American families left the south forever to seek a better life in the north. There were also issues of forced unpaid labor and unequal distribution of food in many of the refugee camps. These camps ranged in size and quality of living conditions. In addition to destroying thousands of homes and business, the flood also contributed to the already heavy tensions regarding race relations in the early 20th century. Near Vicksburg, the river was nearly 80 miles wide, reaching the town of Monroe, LA. This flood affected nearly the entire Mississippi Delta region. After a levee failed in Mounds Landing, MS flood waters were able to reach towns nearly 60 miles away from the river. In Vicksburg, the crest of the flood was 56.2 feet. The Great Flood of 1927 was one of the biggest and most devastating floods along the river. There have been several historically significant floods over the last century. In other years, flooding proves to be devastating to communities along the river. Some years provide much needed water and nutrients to farmland in the flood plains. The intensity of flooding along the Mississippi River varies from year to year. Having a good idea of what the river is capable of is an important step in ensuring the safety of the people and property along the Mississippi River corridor. Because of our relationship with the river, understanding the river is important. Today, farms, homes, industries and even entire towns are located along the banks of the Mississippi River. Humans have relied heavily on the Mississippi River and its tributaries for thousands of years. Refugees in camp near the Louisiana Monument during the Great Flood of 1927
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