A Century on the Mississippi: A History of the Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1876-1976

Since 1882, the men and women of the Memphis District have performed a dedicated service toward flood control and navigation works in the Lower Mississippi Valley. In truth, their efforts have been a cornerstone ill the development of the science of river engineering over many years of struggle with capricious whims of the mighty Mississippi River. This book attempts to establish the chronology of the Districts work. and to show how both successes and failures well served the early engineers in the development of sound engineering techniques. Today, the Lower Mississippi River is a giant in shackles and the nations principal waterway. As of this writing, the massive Mississippi River and Tributaries Project has proven itself, protecting the Valley through three consecutive years of flooding, including the third largest ever, the mammoth 1973 flood. Apart from its annual flood threat, no river has played a greater part in the development and expansion of a nation than the Mississippi. Here, too, our people have been involved in a strategic role, and they have seen the fulfillment of their work. The great river has become the manageable main stem of a vast network of inland waterways, serving both waterborne commerce and pleasure craft. And so this is their book., written for those individual efforts - both past and present - which are so magnificently serving this great country of ours. It is my personal hope that the employees of the Memphis District will continue to meet the challenges of the future in the same manner that they have so admirably met those of the past.