River Mississippi (2) Flashcards

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0
Q

Some of the tributaries of the river

A
Hundreds:
Red river
Missouri River
River Ohio  
At Davenport more smaller tributaries
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1
Q

Source of the river

A

Eastern side of Rocky Mountains

Appalachian mountains in the north

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2
Q

How is the Mississippi controlled

A
Levees
Channel straightening
Wing dikes
Concrete mattresses
Dredging
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3
Q

What are levees

A

Mounds of earth built parallel to river along the banks

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4
Q

Benefits of levees

A

Known and successful technology
Protect settlements
Allows land near river to be used for economic gain

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5
Q

Problems of levees

A

Barrier to the river draining away naturally
Expensive to build and repair
Restrict access to river

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6
Q

What is channel straightening

A

Channel is cut between two bends of a meander

In effect it shortens the river

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7
Q

Benefits of channel straightening

A

Shortens river

Controls the flow more closely

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8
Q

Problems of channel straightening

A

Mississippi is too powerful and will just cut back to its original course

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9
Q

What are wing dikes

A

Structures built into the river to force faster current to midstream

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10
Q

Benefits of wing dikes

A

Faster current digs deeper channel, so larger ships can travel down
Prevents banks being eroded

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11
Q

Problems of wing dikes

A

Expensive

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12
Q

What are concrete mattresses

A

Lining of river bed with concrete

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13
Q

Benefits of concrete mattresses

A

Controls river

Speeds up river and gets rid of discharge faster

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14
Q

Problems of concrete mattresses

A

Speeds up flow which could also lead to flooding downstream

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15
Q

What is dredging

A

Keep open shipping lanes

16
Q

Benefits of dredging

A

Relatively cheap

Keeps shipping channel open

17
Q

Why is the Mississippi being controlled

A

Allow for settlements along the flood plain to exist, they are good more industrial and residential development
Open a critical pathway for the USA transport network
Keep down costs brought by flooding

18
Q

Is management worth the cost

A

Nature will always win (channel straightening)
Huge schemes have cost billions of dollars
It’s forever ongoing