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Mississippi River doesn't tell the truth
Published Friday, April 18, 2008
Think you know a lot about the Mississippi River?
Think again.
Even after 183 years of working on the Mississippi River, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are still busy compiling data and making observations — especially during this significant moment in the river’s history.
With something as big and as powerful as the Mississippi River, the corps still wants to know more.
Inching ever closer to the second-highest recorded flood in Natchez, crews from the Vidalia office of the Corps of Engineers are venturing out into the river on almost a daily basis taking as many measurements as possible.
“During a historic flood like this it helps us to know more and more about the river,” Joe McFarland, head of operations and maintenance at the Vidalia office, said during a recent discussion about the flood.
“There is nothing set in stone about nature,” McFarland said. “As you know, information is power.”
So if the people who deal with the river on a daily basis are still trying to gain as much information as possible, the amount of misinformation spreading in the public must come as little surprise to McFarland and others whose careers are committed to the river.
On a normal day, few residents pause to think about the river unless they are enjoying a walk along the riverfront and bluffs.
When the waters start to rise all eyes turn to the river — and to the river gauge.
But what does that number you hear on your local radio station or see on the lit sign along the Vidalia riverfront mean?
Well, if you are like most residents, it is probably not what you think.
First, the river gauge does not indicate the depth of the river.
McFarland said this is probably the biggest misconception about the river.
The number on the river gauge actually has little to do with the depth of the river.
Zero on the gauge is not located on the riverbed.
Because the bottom of the river constantly changes over the course of time, the corps has set zero as a constant point in the river.
This is so that this year’s flood can be directly compared to the flood in 1927 and 1937 and any other daily measurement, even though the topography of the riverbed has changed.
So you might wonder then where zero is on the river gauge.
Zero on the river gauge is not set at sea level. In fact, zero on the river gauge in Natchez is not the same as the zero point in Vicksburg or even the zero point in St.Louis.
This one fact, leads to probably the second biggest misconception of the river.
The floor elevation of a building or road is not directly comparable to the river gauge level.
Zero on the Natchez river gauge is set at 17.28 feet above sea level.
So, to figure out how high the river is above sea level add 17.28. Thursday the river stood at 56.37 on the river gauge — which equals to 73.65 feet above sea level.
Earlier this week, I met a local at one of the Vidalia Riverfront’s businesses. As the waters were lapping onto the grass outside the back door, this local businesswoman expressed little concern about the flood. Her business sat at 78 feet above sea level. The river, she said was at 56 feet — nowhere close to reaching the building.
And while she probably has little to worry about, if she did the numbers she would discover that river was much closer than she thought.
Not enough to pack up her things yet.
But as McFarland said, “As you know, information is power.”
Ben Hillyer is the web editor of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3540 or by e-mail at ben.hillyer@natchezdemocrat.com
Comments
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My question is, Sea levels are rising so useing current sea level would make the river higher than it was in past years or has this been taken into account?
Posted by CitizenSane (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This amuses me:
"So if the people who deal with the river on a daily basis are still trying to gain as much information as possible, the amount of misinformation spreading in the public must come as little surprise to McFarland and others whose careers are committed to the river."
The same could be said about the misinformation concering the soil-nailed walls and the properties of water-soluble loess. The experts have no doubt about the limiations and vulnerabilities of the wall and the fragiity of the loess bluff.
But the general public, egged on by our elected officials and private developers with dollar signs in their eyes, would prefer to have the public believe that the soil-nailed wall is a permanent solution, a retaining wall that holds up the bluff and has cured the dangers associated with loess forever. There is no public safety issue, say the developers' attorney and our elected officials. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth.
But why let truth or public safety stand in the way of making a few bucks for yourself?
Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
good point
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Every time we think we have solved all the problems of nature, God, in His infinite wisdom, allows things to happen that prove to us that we have not gotten all the answers. Just when we think we have a new miracle drug, we get a common cold and suffer for weeks. When we think we have built the best shore wall, along comes Hurricane Katrina. And when we think we have made the best levees ever, along comes the Mighty Mississippi River with another flood to show us how little our efforts have solved.
The very best thing we can do is stay out of the way of the water. Do not get in it and let it run its course. Protect our family and friends and when the water goes down, go back to life as usual.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's not nice to provoke Mother Nature. And by no means think you are more powerful or smarter than she. She always has her way, no matter who are what tries to stand in her way. Very nice article Ben.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sorry. I forgot to tell you, Very Nice Article. Maybe many will read and understand a little better what the river is doing.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CitizenSane...are you a civil engineer?...soil engineer?...geologist?...do you have any education or expertise whatsoever upon which to base your comments?
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a builder, contractor, and a Construction Engineer...But I still say stay out of the way of the water.....
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
redusmfan...then you may have some standing to make comments about bluff reinforcement, CitizenSane hasn't displayed the professional competence to do that yet...I'm an architect with many years of experience, some of it related to near, above and below, Natchez bluff work. I just wondered if the info given by CitizenSane had any substance, it didn't seem to me that it did.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would hope that some of you experts could tell me - Is the bluff reinforcement strong enough to support climbing, assuming the proper handhold/footholds were in place?
Just wondering......
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How much do you weigh OldGrandDad?...LOL, it may exceed the design loads.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at midnight (Suggest removal)
Oh, come on.... I ain't that bad off. Its shotcrete ain't it? If it would hold, I could see it developed into a climbing mecca. Folks would come from all over in order to try new routes. We'd get written up in magazines and they'd have the town on tv. The mayor would get more publicity than he would be able to stand.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
YIKES !!! I learned sumpin today,did you tell her she might oughta check her rain guage soon..Never knew all that river tech until today. thxs. Something in here we can use to protect our property and family for a change. good job
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good idea OldGrandad,something different at least. It would bring crowds and crowds gotta have Cokes to drink,maybe they will buy them here...ha
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We need some new and fresh ideas. An old sleepy southern mansion town worked for many years,but we need totally new ideas,or we,ll sleep ourselves to death. Look at what Vidalia is doing...Do the math.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 12:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And that doesn,t mean raising taxes or more tourists, That ain,t working. Car show with hundreds is coming soon in Vidalia,It made it,s first show here and was run out of town.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 5:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Texasranger. But it will take one of the engineers to tell me if its possible.
I still have the other idea for the engineers - A walkway built out from the north side of the north bridge, away from the traffic. For walking and running. And for tourist sightseeing. It would be part of a trail connecting our visitor center with the Vidalia riverfront. I figure it could be done, but an engineer would have a better idea of it.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sure, knowing the factor of safety designed into most engineering projects, that the bluff wall design would support the weight of climbers, but I doubt the city or corps would allow it due to liability issues.
Likewise, the bridge walkway, is technically possible, but costs of construction, MDOT/LDOT coordination, liability issues (it would have to be enclosed to prevent suicides), etc. are hurdles that would have to be overcome.
These are good, innovative ideas...maybe someone in power is out there listening. Good thinking OldGrandDad...outside the box...I like that!
Posted by aesa (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As my granddaddy and daddy used to say (collectively 90 years with the Corps)..."the river does what the river wants to do".
It has been that way for millions or years, and it will be that way for millions of years to come.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like the wall climbing thing. While we are at it, is it tall enough for bungee or base jumping, maybe even off the bridge? Waivers of liability could be signed by all who use the facilities. Good idea OGD!
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
freedom42, Thanks but I don't think there's enough clearance for bungee jumping and base jumpimg would kill or maim you. Probably both. And the bridge is not high enough. But that could be my "box" mentality. I think most anything is possible for us if we put forth the mental effort.
Sam, thanks for the information and support. I always figured the liability would be made an issue by locals. My thinking is simply Why can it be done elsewhere and not in Natchez? The answer is usually mental and/or emotional effort. Liability issues can always be sorted through. Dealing with the corps would be another matter entirely. But somehow I figure the city could get through to them if they wanted to.
Concerning the bridge walkway, if it could practically be done from an engineering standpoint, the liability (again) could be sorted out. I hear the Golden Gate has, on the average, 2 jumpers a month. We might lose an occasional turkey, but nothing near that number. And besides, they can and do walk out there as it is. I'm only proposing a safer way for all folks to walk there.
Thanks again.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just thinking with Al Gore starting the interwebbie thingamajig and everybody knowing everything and global warming making the Gulf of Mexico be up to Sibley next year and Bucket still in office, how are we going to make it? Things like this didn't happen when Mr. Woodie was still in charge of the weather.
sayitoutloud howze about another huh? Huh?
Just messin' witchu. I think I'm going to Google myself now.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I like the climbing hill idea. I also like the idea of having a walking bridge for people to walk across the river and look at it up close. I know that there would be an occasional jumper, but they would jump off the other bridge anyways.
These are fantastic ideas and should at least have a good conversation with "the powers that be in Natchez."
Just think, you could climb up to the top of the hill, and then, get a cold one at the bar on Franklin to celebrate....Or a coke and a smile...I really like this idea,,,,Could we install a slide to get back down to our vehicles at the bottom. It could be a slide like the one they have at the state fair every year....with sacks and cool plastic to slide down....
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's a climbing waiver used in Vermont.
http://www.vermontrocks.com/WAIVER819.pd...
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
redusmfan, I don't know how you would put in a slide that would look natural and conform to the general appearance of the bluffs. But it sure as heck sounds fun.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's a California waiver....
http://www.arcadiarockclimbing.com/1_hom...
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all, use green plastic, just like the slides they sale at Lowes and Home Depot. Then, make it come down in stages so that it is off the side of the slope and not anywhere in the way of the hill climbers. It could come down and stop at three or four different places and you could stop at each leverl and take a breath-taking look at the Mighty River before you go to the next slide and continue down the hill.
It is just an idea...but what the heck. It could be built.
Posted by observer (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In response to sammohan who asks about Citizen Sane's expertise - - I don't know about his education and qualifications but you can't deny the links he has in his postings. I followed every one of them and they are from experts in the various fields. Also, if you were to read the engineering report as Citizen suggests, you would be impressed - - and not a little afraid.
The climbing wall idea and the walking bridge are fun to speculate about, but It's no joke when public safety is at stake. Don't criticize until you investigate and get to the truth.
Posted by Whisper (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 11:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, well I still want a skating rink. Even if I am the only one there.
Posted by blueeydlady101 (anonymous) on April 19, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The river can never be the same. Living on the river for most of my life I have seen what this river can do. One day it will be a sandbar in the middle and the next day it will be gone. The Mississippi river is very unpredictable from one minute to the next.
Good luck to the engineers that are trying to keep up with it but I believe it is really a waste of time, because mother nature has all control of the rivers and how high they rise or how low that they get.
Think about all of the debri that goes into our rivers on a daily basis be it from storms or industires that dump stuff in them on a regular basis. You would not believe the things that my father has found floating in the river.
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