MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Mississippi River levels have been steadily declining throughout the summer. Levels have been disastrously low and have fallen within a foot of record lows. Drought is to blame for the decline, but weekend rain in the Mid-South and across the Ohio Valley has been some help.
The Mississippi River levels have risen around two feet on the Memphis gauge. The Army Corps of Engineers measured the river at -7.0 feet and it is forecast to climb another two feet over the next five days. Widespread rain across the Ohio Valley flows into tributaries that lead to the Mississippi River, helping water levels to climb in the Mid-South.
River engineers say that the Mid-South isn’t out of the woods yet. River levels could fall again, but proactive measures are being taken to keep the channel open.
Jim Pogue with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Affairs says, “We're in such better shape than we were in 1988. We could probably sustain minus 10.7 and wouldn't see groundings in our part of the river here.”
Man-made structures, like dykes, have been introduced to the river. Dykes help guide the river current to prevent sediment from building up on the river floor.
“The dykes help channel the river and speed it up a little. So, you don't get as much sediment that settles. Thus the river stays open,” says Pogue.
Mid-South harbors are a different story. Many harbors are shallow and unsafe for navigation. River engineers plan to dredge the harbor at President’s Island for the second time next week.