River Rat
08-05-2009, 07:41 PM
This summer after staring at some of the "Head Ends" on the larger islands in Pool 5 erroding away more every year, I got tired of bad mouthing it to myself and decided to send an email. If you agree or disagree don't matter to me. But if you do have an opinion send the corp a note and tell them what you think!
Richard,
I would like to comment on a small project I would like to see implemented more often on the Mississippi. I would like to see rip rap placed at the head ends of more islands. On pool 5, I see it has been completed on Island 42, Murhy's cut and at the top of Roebuk's Cut going down to Buffalo City to name a few. This in itself is outstanding, however Probst Island used to extend 40 to 50 yards above the light house at the top of the island, now the island begins scant yards above the light house. Additionally the down river island entering Botsford's Cut has had a considerable amount of erosion at the top of that island since the 1970's; I am thinking 100 yards plus. Why can't the Corp secure the heads of all these major islands with rip rap? Once these islands are gone it would take a considerable amount of money to attempt to re-build them; and I for one believe once they are gone and the cost of repair or replacement is assessed it will not be attempted.
Obviously with rip rap in place there would be some return on investment by just slowing down the erosion, and what would be even more valuable for the Corp would be some excellent publicity . In my mind I feel this would be the cheapest and most efficient method of saving our islands. I look forward to your opinion on this.
If you want to email the Corp your thoughts on any subject with the Mississppi here is Richards email address.
richard.j.otto@usace.army.mil
Richard,
I would like to comment on a small project I would like to see implemented more often on the Mississippi. I would like to see rip rap placed at the head ends of more islands. On pool 5, I see it has been completed on Island 42, Murhy's cut and at the top of Roebuk's Cut going down to Buffalo City to name a few. This in itself is outstanding, however Probst Island used to extend 40 to 50 yards above the light house at the top of the island, now the island begins scant yards above the light house. Additionally the down river island entering Botsford's Cut has had a considerable amount of erosion at the top of that island since the 1970's; I am thinking 100 yards plus. Why can't the Corp secure the heads of all these major islands with rip rap? Once these islands are gone it would take a considerable amount of money to attempt to re-build them; and I for one believe once they are gone and the cost of repair or replacement is assessed it will not be attempted.
Obviously with rip rap in place there would be some return on investment by just slowing down the erosion, and what would be even more valuable for the Corp would be some excellent publicity . In my mind I feel this would be the cheapest and most efficient method of saving our islands. I look forward to your opinion on this.
If you want to email the Corp your thoughts on any subject with the Mississppi here is Richards email address.
richard.j.otto@usace.army.mil