Lower Mississippi River Slope and Stream Power

For decades scientists and engineers have sought to better understand the short and long-term geomorphology of the Mississippi River. A critical component of river morphology and response is a river’s adjustment of slope throughout the system. Utilizing 20 historical gaging stations across 600 miles of the Lower Mississippi River between Cairo, IL and the Old River Control Complex, LA, reach averaged slopes were computed for each reach for the past 100 years. Combining this slope data with historical discharge data allows the computation of stream power which is also presented. The importance of stream power is its direct relationship to the river’s ability to transport sediment, especially bed material which controls the channel bed and morphology. Analysis of the slope and stream power data both spatially and temporally reveals a complex river response as the river has adjusted to numerous natural and anthropogenic factors.