Boundaries don't protect rivers, people do.
Aristotle

Floodplains and the Rivers

Past

Present

Future

Levee construction has successfully seperated the river from its floodplains. These artificial creations have resulted in a decrease of 50% of the floodplain area. 

Along our stretch, the middle Mississippi River between Alton and Cairo, Illinois, over 80% of the floodplain has been isolated behind levees! 

         Floodplains are the lowland areas

adjoining rivers, wetlands, and  lakes which

are susceptible to inundation of water during

a flood.

They store flood waters, improve water

quality and recharge ground water supplies,

provide habitat for native river wildlife, and          provide recreational

opportunities for the public.

Each acre of floodplain can hold 1.6 million

gallons of water during high water. This

 translates into less water moving down

stream and into adjoining communities. Yet, 

we consistently see more of the flood plain

cut off from their rivers by levees and dams.

Poor land-use decisions that allow 

development in a floodplain are putting more people at risk and eliminate the natural flood control functions of these areas.

Flood deaths and damage are on the rise:

Total flood deaths raised from 74 in 1989 

to 105 in 1999.

Total flood damages raised from $1.1 billion

 in 1989 to $5.5 billion in 1999.

Some of the positive steps to protect the river's diminishing habitat that need highlighting include:

Wildlife refuges were established beginning in the 1920s.

Habitat restoration projects have taken place since the 1970s. Ducks Unlimited is aggressively purchasing wetlands for conservation and restoration. To date, they have set aside over 10 million acres.

The United States Congress declared the Upper Mississippi River a "nationally significant ecosystem and nationally significant navigation system" in 1986.

The Choteau Island Project, in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources and Confluence Greenway, Trailnet, Inc., and the Trust For Public Land.

Continual testimony at the Corps of Engineer’s Public hearings and meetings regarding the Missouri Flow Frequency Debate and the Mississippi Rehab/Expansion Project