Mississippi River Commission

The Mississippi River Commission is an American commission created by Congress in 1879. Its primary responsibilities include overseeing the maintenance and improvement of the Mississippi River as a commercial waterway, as well as flood control and bank protection. The commission has managed extensive projects that have significantly reshaped the river.

Key aspects of its work include:
* Navigation Improvement: Establishing and deepening channels for barge traffic, such as a 9-foot deep channel from Cairo, Illinois, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a 45-foot deep ship channel from Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico.
* Flood Control: Implementing a comprehensive flood control system involving levees, floodways, spillways, and reservoirs to manage the river's flow and prevent catastrophic floods, particularly after the major flood of 1927.

The commission's efforts have profoundly impacted the river's character, balancing commercial needs with flood management.12