Mississippi River level goes below zero; rise expected thanks to rainfall

Published 10:54 am Monday, October 24, 2022

: Low Mississippi River levels impacted the Yazoo Diversion Canal at Vicksburg's city waterfront. (Photo by Ritch Southard of Downtown Vicksburg Main Street)

The level of the Mississippi River at Vicksburg hit -0.08 on Monday, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers River Gages website.

The level is one of the river’s lowest this year as drought conditions caused by a lack of rain continue to affect the United States. The river’s level Friday was 0.17. The lowest level on record was -7 feet on Feb. 3, 1940.

A rise in the river’s level is expected over the next few days, according to the National Weather Service’s River Summary website forecast, which predicts the level of the Mississippi at Vicksburg to be at 0.4 Tuesday and 0.8 Friday, based on predictions of rain for the south and the upper Mississippi Valley.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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