Day 9, Lower Mississippi Scenic Sailing, September 25, 2022

The Lower Mississippi River is the portion of the Mississippi River downstream of Cairo, Illinois.  From the confluence of the Ohio River and Upper Mississippi River at Cairo, the Lower flows just under 1000 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.  It is the most heavily travelled component of the Mississippi River System.

Unlike on the upper rivers, there are no locks or dams on the Lower Mississippi. The river is, however, constrained by levees and dikes to control flooding and secure a navigation channel for barges.  The Old River Control Structure, the Bonnet Carré Spillway, the Mississippi River – Gulf Outlet Canal and other man-made structures on the lower reaches of the river seek to manipulate the flow of water in the vicinity of New Orleans.

Additional info:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Mississippi_River

Confluence of Ohio and Mississippi Rivers at Cairo, IL - NASA

Flooding of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers presents a continual danger to the city; this danger is lessened by the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway that begins directly to the south of the river confluence.  During major flood events, the floodway lessens flood stages upstream (such as at Cairo) and adjacent to the floodway.

Mississippi comes from left and Ohio comes from under the distant bridge

Barges lined up to reduce in size to accommodate smaller locks on the Ohio

Dry docks for tugs

Sunset on the Mississippi

24/7 traffic on the river

We will arrive at Memphis dock at 9 in the morning