An analysis of the morphological changes of Pool 19 on the Mississippi River has been made. The pool lost about 55% of its original capacity by 1980, and it is estimated that by the 2050s it will have lost about 80% of its capacity, when it may attain a dynamic volumetric equilibrium. At that time, the pool will behave more like a deeply incised river than like a lake. The pooling action of the river has also accelerated the formation of islands and deltas, especially at the mouths of tributaries. These tributary mouths are now behaving similarly to tributaries in a coastal environment. The morphological change on this pool is progressing through a predictable pattern, and it is believed that similar pools on other navigable waterways [...]
Summary
An analysis of the morphological changes of Pool 19 on the
Mississippi River has been made. The pool lost about 55% of its
original capacity by 1980, and it is estimated that by the 2050s
it will have lost about 80% of its capacity, when it may attain a
dynamic volumetric equilibrium. At that time, the pool will
behave more like a deeply incised river than like a lake. The
pooling action of the river has also accelerated the formation of
islands and deltas, especially at the mouths of tributaries.
These tributary mouths are now behaving similarly to tributaries
in a coastal environment. The morphological change on this pool
is progressing through a predictable pattern, and it is believed
that similar pools on other navigable waterways may follow a
similar pattern.
Journal of Hydraulic
Engineering 112(10):967-970. ISSN 0733-9429/86/0010-0967. Paper
No. 20939. Reprinted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Environmental Management Technical Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin
