At the center (literally!) of our exhibit “Flowing through Time: Wittenberg, Tower Rock & the Mississippi River,” the U.S. Corps of Engineers display on the Great Flood of 1993 rises over the other exhibits much like the floodwaters did that fateful summer.

The 1993 flood was one of the most significant and damaging natural disasters ever to hit the United States. Damages approached $15 billion (1993 dollars), 50 people died, hundreds of levees failed, and thousands of people were evacuated, some for months. The flood was unusual in the magnitude of the crests, the number of record crests, the large area impacted (all or parts of 9 states were declared Federal disaster areas), and the length of the time the flood was an issue.

According to their website, “Flood risk management (FRM) is one of USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) Civil Work’s three core missions, alongside support for commercial navigation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. USACE’s FRM activities seek to reduce the threat to life and property from riverine and coastal storm flooding through the development and communication of advanced knowledge, technology, and solutions.”

This 6-panel display shows how the Corps accomplished this mission along the Mississippi River before and during the 1993 flood. These panels include, “The History of Flood Protection,” “Engineering Flood Protection,” “The Great Flood of 1993,” “Fighting the Flood of 1993,” “Impacts of the Flood of 1993,” and “Successes and Strategies for the Future.”

Many visitors to the exhibit have commented that this is the most informative and interesting display they have seen on this event. When the Mississippi River museum in Grand Tower closed, they were told by the Corp of Engineers that they did not want the display back. We’re not sure what we will do with it once we remove it from display in November, so be sure to come see it while you still can!

The museum is open daily 10 am – 4 pm. Admission is free. See you soon!