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The ups and downs of levees: GPS–based change detection, Middle Mississippi River, USA

2010; Geological Society of America; Volume: 39; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1130/g31493.1

1943-2682

Andrew Flor, Nicholas Pinter, Jonathan W.F. Remo,

Geophysical Methods and Applications

Research Article| January 01, 2011 The ups and downs of levees: GPS–based change detection, Middle Mississippi River, USA Andrew Flor; Andrew Flor * Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA *Current address: Florida Geological Survey, Gunter Building MS 720, 903 W. Tennessee Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32304-7700; E-mail: andrewflor@gmail.com. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Nicholas Pinter; Nicholas Pinter Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jonathan W.F. Remo Jonathan W.F. Remo Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Andrew Flor * Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA Nicholas Pinter Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA Jonathan W.F. Remo Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA *Current address: Florida Geological Survey, Gunter Building MS 720, 903 W. Tennessee Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32304-7700; E-mail: andrewflor@gmail.com. Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 21 Jun 2010 Revision Received: 05 Aug 2010 Accepted: 10 Aug 2010 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2011 Geological Society of America Geology (2011) 39 (1): 55–58. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31493.1 Article history Received: 21 Jun 2010 Revision Received: 05 Aug 2010 Accepted: 10 Aug 2010 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Andrew Flor, Nicholas Pinter, Jonathan W.F. Remo; The ups and downs of levees: GPS–based change detection, Middle Mississippi River, USA. Geology 2011;; 39 (1): 55–58. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G31493.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Changes in levee-crest elevations were measured along 328 km of Mississippi River levees between St. Louis, Missouri, and Cairo, Illinois, in 1998 and 2007. We also compared 1998 and 2007 survey data with 50 yr flood elevation profiles to assess levels of levee protection. Levee heights, stability, and safety are nationwide concerns, especially since Hurricane Katrina and floodwall failures in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2005. The majority of surveyed levees were stable at the centimeter to decimeter level during the 9 yr measurement interval. Change was measured in other areas, including increases of as much as 1.49 m and decreases of as much as 1.26 m between 1998 and 2007. The increases corresponded to local crevasse repairs, small-scale road maintenance, and larger levee-raising projects. Decreases in levee elevations are interpreted as small-scale surface erosion and larger compaction or subsidence of levee and/or foundation materials. Levee crests in 2007 were locally as much as 2.0 m below the 50 yr flood-grade elevations. Levee degradation reduces protection levels for floodplain residents, often without easily visible symptoms. Intentional levee raising without necessary studies, engineering, or permitting has a range of potential negative impacts including both a false sense of security and the potential for exporting flood risk to neighboring levee communities. Regional surveying of levee elevations and change over time can provide a preliminary tool for assessing levee conditions, stability, and compliance with levee regulations. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.