Islands in the stream

[Pete]

Islands in the stream: The extraordinary homemade dams holding back the Mississippi as desperate residents try to save their homes

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz1Mt1UNG1P

:We've all undertaken home improvements but these residents in flood-stricken Mississippi have had to embark on major construction projects just to protect their houses and livelihoods.

These homes in Vicksburg are all situated along the Yazoo River, a tributary of the overflowing Mississippi River, and their owners have surrounded themselves with tons of earth and sand...................."

Interesting pictures.

[Sohei]

Those are certainly interesting pictures. Good for them for doing what they were able to do to protect their homes. It's sad when one's home is destroyed by a natural disaster that hits in a moments notice like a tornado, but it's another thing to have to watch the water slowly creep up onto your property and take over your home. I hope their levees hold out for them. Several of them looked strong and may be able to withstand the pressure. It is sad. The river in our part of the state is expected to be cresting next week, but the water is certainly rising already. It's a sad situation for all involved.

[Buffalobob]

Wonder why they call it a flood plain? Basic geology 101.

Then throw in basic hydrology 101 with the increased imperiousness of urban lands, diking the upper portion of the rivers to prevent flood water storage in the flood plains and then wave front velocity from channelizing the rivers and what you get is a known and predictable mess that gets worse every year and every time another flood control project gets implemented.

Last and not least is the economics of why the farmers are getting flooded and the cities protected.

Finally, one should consider that the already battered Gulf of Mexico aquatic ecosystem is going to take a bad hit from all of this eroded material entering it. If you think the farmers don't have much political and economic clout then consider the poor fish and wetlands.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Buffalobob

Wonder why they call it a flood plain? Basic geology 101. ............

Bah, don't try that Sience stuff on me - I know it's Man Caused Global Warming that's causing the flood.