Man-Induced Changes of Middle Mississippi River

Abstract

The objectives of the 150 yrs of development along the Middle Mississippi River have been to provide flood protection to people and property on the flood plain and to provide a suitable channel for navigation. The River has been leveed to protect the people and property from floods and it has been contracted to provide the navigation channel. The objectives of flood protection and year-round river navigation have been met to a great extent in the Middle Mississippi River. However, the developments for flood protection and river navigation have produced a new river morphology and a different river behavior. The history of channel positions, riverbed areas, cross-sectional areas, and channel bed elevations describe how the river morphology has been changing. The variations in water and sediment discharge, stages, and stage versus discharge indicate how the river behavior has been changing.