When To Say When

For millions of years, weather has played a vital role in shaping the topography and geography of this land.  It has created some incredible scenery, shaped mountains, carved rock and created havoc.  And it's still active today.  So it makes me wonder when humans will realize you cannot stop, alter or defeat the power of weather.

When I see something like this done... 

that caused something like this...

to save a small town like this...

Well, it makes me wonder.

To put the pieces together, the record rainfall and flooding along the Mississippi River has become one that will go down in the books.  Many areas have been flooded by rivers from Ohio to Louisiana and all points in between.  And amongst all these towns, cities and farmland, is the town of Cairo, Illinois.  Let the picture tour begin.

Cairo is the southernmost town in Illinois situated right between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. The two rivers converge just south of the town. With just under 3,000 residents, the town at one time was a key base for the Union army and a major port for river trade. Today the town struggles in difficult financial times and has been hit so hard, many residents have left, leaving the town nearing abandonment.

AT ONE TIME THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A PRIME LOCATION FOR BUSINESS

So when the rivers rose last week to record high levels, threatening to completely destroy the town, the Army Corp of Engineers stepped in to help.  At a point north of town, they used explosives to break levees as can be seen in the first picture I posted.  The break caused water to rush into farmlands in Missouri where hundreds of homes and thousands of acres are now submerged (picture two).  But the little town of Cairo, with 25 foot levees surrounding all sides of town is still safe.  A great outcome for them, not so much for Missouri farmers.

Should we believe that this town is more valuable than farmland, farmers, their livelihood and property?  Would this land have flooded anyway if the levee had not been there?  I don't really know the answers.

But I do know that any river, stream or creek has a natural floodplain.  If you choose to live in this area, you need to understand what can happen.  I have nothing against the town of Cairo, nor the farmers in Missouri or quite frankly anybody else living along the river.  That is home.  But these are no win situations.  Somebody is going to be upset regardless of what happens when man interferes.  So why not back off and let nature take its course.

A river will flow from point A to point B.  And it will find the quickest and most direct route.  Sticking a wall up is only temporary relief.  Then we are shocked at what happens when the river overflows.  Living in the shadows of such big rivers like these must warrant appreciation and respect from the residents.  I believe many mid-westerners understand this and can live with the consequences.  But purposely flooding one area to save another is just a bit hard to swallow.  Allowing nature to decide not only eliminates blame but would also save people from making the same mistake of returning to the same spot over and over and over again.