Highest Flood Level on Lower Mississippi since 1973

Citation

(2008), "Highest Flood Level on Lower Mississippi since 1973", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 17 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/dpm.2008.07317eab.005

Highest Flood Level on Lower Mississippi since 1973

Article Type: News items From: Disaster Prevention and Management, Volume 17, Issue 5

On April 22, 2008, the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the US Army Corps of Engineers recorded the highest flood level on the lower Mississippi River since 1973. The flow occurred at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and measured 1.8 million cubic feet per second - enough water to fill more than 20 Olympic size swimming pools in one second, or more than 1.75 million pools in a day. The flood was caused by intense rainfall throughout the central plains and Ohio River Valley in March and April that eventually reached the lower Mississippi River Basin.

In March, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted major spring floods in many regions of the United States, saying record rainfall and snowpack in some states would contribute to above-average flood conditions. In late March, more than 250 communities in a dozen states experienced flood conditions.

To find current flood and high flow conditions across the country, visit the USGS WaterWatch web site at http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/flood