Introduction
Southeast Missouri's “Bootheel” is a natural basin for Mississippi River flooding. For much of its history the land was an uninhabitable swamp. In the early twentieth century a system of ditches, levees and canals was constructed to drain the swampy land. It was the world's largest drainage project, and by its completion had moved more earth than the construction of the Panama Canal. The Little River Drainage District was constructed between 1914 and 1928. It consists of 957.8 miles of ditches and 304.43 miles of levees. It covers 540,000 acres and drains a total of 1.2 million acres. The land that makes up the Little River Drainage District was granted to Missouri in the Swamp Land Act of 1850. In the late 19th century, the land was purchased by private lumber interests and cleared of its abundant timber. A new solution was sought to make better use of this uninhabitable and unproductive land. In 1907, a meeting in Cape Girardeau laid the groundwork for a massive drainage project. The construction was funded by a tax levied on land owners within the district. The headwater diversion channel system was built by electric and steam draglines and directs runoff in the northern portion of the district, while the main lower district- a system of levees and ditches built with floating dredge boats- provides local drainage and serves as a drainage outlet for the wider District. Since 1931, the headwater diversion channel mainline levee has been maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Collection
The Little River Drainage District Collection contains over 3000 images that document the construction of the Headwater Diversion Channel and levee in Southeast Missouri, the five parallel floodway ditches, and hundreds of miles of additional ditches. While the majority of prints record the construction, other subjects are found among the photographs. Floods and overflows, particularly the 1937 Mississippi River flood, are included. Agriculture and the changing landscape, development of the railway system, construction of numerous communities, Civilian Conservation Corps, and individuals important in the development of the District are also contained within the collection.
Courtesy of the Missouri State Archives
The work that began more than 100 years ago on The Little River Drainage District (LRDD) has provided many benefits to Southeast Missouri. Land that was once 95 percent covered in water and trees but now accounts for one third of Missouri’s agricultural income. The roads that were built during and after the project provide the lifeline for the region’s economic development. The Headwater Diversion Channel collects water from area rivers and creeks and funnels them into the Mississippi River and away from vital farmland and communities. The system’s 1,000 miles of ditches carries the remainder of the district’s low-velocity water into Arkansas, where it flows into that state’s collection system and eventually enters the Mississippi River at Helena, Ark. Drainage is the lifeblood of the social and economic well-being of Southeast Missouri.
It has allowed employers to locate to the area and provide jobs to our citizens. Our highways, railroads, and other critical infrastructure would not be possible without the creation and maintenance of The Little River Drainage District of Southeast Missouri. This District will continue to play an important role in protecting the residents and property in our region from flood disasters. Overseen by five elected board members and a staff, the assets of the district are managed responsibly to ensure our landowners, businesses, communities and properties are protected to the maximum extent possible. We work in partnership with a variety of stakeholders – local, state and federal governments, private citizens, business interests, landowners and others allowing Southeast Missouri to thrive as a region for this generation of citizens and those that will follow.
Courtest LRDD website.
Questions/Tasks:
1. You are currently standing near the Flood Way Ditches which are part of the swamp draining process. How many ditches pass by where you are at?
2. What direction is the water flowing? Why do you think so many ditches are needed if they all are flowing the same way?
3. With the large amount of water flowing through these ditches, in your opinion, would it be possible to settle this land without such a major project?
4. Take a picture of yourself at the location and post to the log or send in your answer email.
I hope you enjoyed this tidbit of history and see the importance of this project.
There is no physical cache at this location.