In 1717, the first levee on the Mississippi River was constructed near New Orleans under the supervision of French engineer Pierre Le Blond de La Tour. This three-foot-high, one-mile-long structure marked the beginning of what would become one of North America's most extensive flood control systems.
The Mississippi River's first levee marked a pivotal moment in American engineering history and flood control efforts. Built in 1717 near present-day New Orleans the original levee stretched just one mile long and stood only three feet high. This humble beginning launched what would become one of North America's most extensive flood control systems.
French engineer Pierre Le Blond de La Tour supervised the construction of this initial levee which local settlers built by hand using wooden shovels and basic tools. While primitive by today's standards this early flood control measure represented the first organized attempt to tame the mighty Mississippi's destructive flood waters and protect the growing settlement of New Orleans. The success of this first levee inspired a cascade of similar projects that would eventually transform the entire Lower Mississippi Valley.
Early Native American Settlements Along the Mississippi
#Native American tribes established settlements along the Mississippi River banks thousands of years before European colonization. Archaeological evidence reveals sophisticated community planning that considered seasonal flooding patterns.
Indigenous Flood Control Methods
#Indigenous peoples developed effective flood management techniques through centuries of river observation. Their methods included:
- Building settlements on natural elevations like bluffs mounds to avoid flood damage
- Creating raised earthen platforms 10-15 feet high for important structures
- Positioning seasonal camps based on river flood cycles
- Constructing drainage systems using strategic ditches channels
- Installing wooden barriers in specific locations to redirect water flow
Archaeological findings indicate these flood control practices dated back to:
| Period | Culture | Key Flood Control Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1200-1400 CE | Mississippian | Platform mounds 30-50 ft high |
| 800-1200 CE | Late Woodland | Raised village sites |
| 500-800 CE | Middle Woodland | Early drainage systems |
The Cahokia civilization near present-day St. Louis demonstrated advanced water management through:
- A network of ridges terraces for controlled water flow
- Elevated residential platforms averaging 15 feet high
- Central plazas designed to channel excess water
- Strategic placement of structures on natural levees
These indigenous engineering methods influenced later European settlers' understanding of river management practical strategies for flood control.
French Colonial Period and First Levee Construction
#The French colonial period marked the beginning of systematic flood control along the Mississippi River, introducing European engineering methods to the region.
The 1717 New Orleans Levee
#Pierre Le Blond de La Tour engineered the first levee in New Orleans, stretching 3,600 feet along the river's east bank. The earthen embankment stood 3 feet high and 18 feet wide at its base, constructed using local materials including clay soil and cypress logs. Local residents provided manual labor under French military supervision, completing the project within four months.
| First Levee Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3,600 feet |
| Height | 3 feet |
| Base Width | 18 feet |
| Construction Period | 4 months |
Governor Bienville's Influence
#Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, Louisiana's colonial governor, mandated levee construction through a 1724 land-grant ordinance. The ordinance required property owners along the Mississippi River to:
- Build protective embankments within their property boundaries
- Maintain a cleared path 8 feet wide atop the levee
- Complete levee construction within 8 months of receiving land grants
- Face property forfeiture for non-compliance
These regulations established the foundation for Louisiana's levee system, extending protection beyond New Orleans to neighboring settlements. Bienville's policies created a coordinated flood control network spanning 50 miles of riverfront by 1735.
Evolution of Levee Development
#The development of Mississippi River levees expanded significantly following the initial French efforts in 1717, encompassing contributions from multiple colonial powers and American authorities. This evolution transformed the river's flood control system from isolated structures to an interconnected network of protective barriers.
Spanish Colonial Contributions
#Spanish colonial administrators enhanced the existing French levee system from 1763 to 1803, implementing stricter construction standards and maintenance protocols. They introduced the Levee Code of 1743, which established specific height requirements of 4 feet and mandatory crown widths of 18 feet for all new levees. Spanish engineers incorporated innovations such as:
- Reinforced earthen cores using cypress logs
- Graduated slope designs for improved stability
- Strategic placement of auxiliary drainage channels
- Implementation of regular inspection schedules
American Expansion Period
#The American acquisition of the Louisiana Territory in 1803 marked a new era in levee construction along the Mississippi River. The period from 1820 to 1850 saw systematic expansion of levee networks:
| Year | Total Levee Miles | Average Height (ft) | Investment (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 100 | 4 | $500,000 |
| 1835 | 740 | 6 | $2,300,000 |
| 1850 | 1,200 | 7 | $6,500,000 |
- Creation of state-level levee districts
- Introduction of steam-powered construction equipment
- Establishment of standardized engineering specifications
- Formation of the Mississippi River Commission in 1879
- Implementation of comprehensive flood control policies
Modern Mississippi River Levee System
#The modern Mississippi River levee system spans 3,500 miles of federal flood control levees operating in conjunction with floodways, pumping stations, channel improvements and other flood control structures. This comprehensive system protects over 4 million residents across seven states.
Army Corps of Engineers' Role
#The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers emerged as the primary authority for Mississippi River flood control following the Flood Control Act of 1928. The Corps oversees:
- Construction maintenance of 2,203 miles of levees along the Mississippi River mainline
- Operation of three major floodway systems: Birds Point-New Madrid, Morganza and Bonnet Carré
- Implementation of channel improvements including:
- Concrete revetments
- Stone dikes
- Bank stabilization structures
| Flood Control Component | Coverage/Impact |
|---|---|
| Federal Levees | 3,500 miles |
| Mainline Levees | 2,203 miles |
| Protected Population | 4+ million |
| States Protected | 7 states |
The Corps coordinates with state levee boards, drainage districts and local sponsors through the Mississippi River Commission to maintain flood control standards. Their engineering expertise guides:
- Annual levee inspections
- Emergency flood response operations
- Project design specifications
- Construction oversight
- Hydraulic modeling
- Environmental impact assessments
The Corps' Mississippi Valley Division maintains eight district offices responsible for specific river segments between Cairo, Illinois and the Gulf of Mexico. Each district manages local flood control projects while contributing to the system-wide flood protection strategy.
Environmental Impact of Historic Levees
#Historic Mississippi River levees transformed the natural floodplain ecosystem through significant environmental alterations. The 1717 levee construction initiated changes in sediment distribution patterns affecting 3.4 million acres of wetlands. Restricted river movement prevented natural soil replenishment in former floodplains.
Habitat Modifications
#The levee system altered critical wildlife habitats across the Mississippi River Valley:
- Fragmented 2.7 million acres of bottomland hardwood forests
- Reduced natural wetland flooding patterns in 89% of historical floodplains
- Eliminated seasonal flooding cycles for native fish spawning grounds
- Decreased waterfowl nesting areas by 73% compared to pre-levee conditions
Sediment Distribution Changes
#Levee construction modified natural sediment patterns:
| Period | Annual Sediment Loss (tons) | Affected Wetland Area (acres) |
|---|---|---|
| 1717-1800 | 28,000 | 157,000 |
| 1801-1900 | 195,000 | 486,000 |
| 1901-2000 | 318,000 | 892,000 |
Water Quality Effects
#Historic levees impacted river water quality:
-
Concentrated pollutants in main channel due to reduced natural filtering
-
Increased riverbank erosion rates by 47%
-
Created hypoxic zones from restricted nutrient distribution
-
Altered groundwater recharge patterns in adjacent aquifers
-
Shifted migration routes of 23 bird species
-
Modified fish spawning patterns in 12 commercial species
-
Created new microhabitats along artificial embankments
-
Established alternate wetland systems in remaining natural areas
Key Takeaways
#- The first Mississippi River levee was constructed in 1717 near New Orleans, measuring one mile long and three feet high under the supervision of French engineer Pierre Le Blond de La Tour
- Native American tribes had established sophisticated flood control methods centuries before European colonization, including elevated settlements and strategic drainage systems
- Governor Bienville's 1724 land-grant ordinance mandated property owners to build and maintain levees, establishing the foundation for Louisiana's comprehensive levee system
- The levee system expanded significantly from 100 miles in 1820 to 1,200 miles by 1850, with Spanish colonial administrators enhancing construction standards between 1763-1803
- Today's Mississippi River levee system spans 3,500 miles of federal flood control levees, protecting over 4 million residents across seven states under U.S. Army Corps of Engineers management
- The historic levee construction has significantly impacted the environment, affecting 3.4 million acres of wetlands and modifying wildlife habitats, sediment distribution, and water quality patterns
Conclusion
#The first Mississippi River levee built in 1717 stands as a testament to early American engineering innovation. This modest three-foot structure near New Orleans laid the foundation for today's extensive flood control system spanning thousands of miles.
The evolution from Indigenous water management practices through French colonial engineering to modern flood control infrastructure showcases humanity's persistent efforts to tame one of North America's mightiest rivers. While these developments have protected millions of residents they've also transformed the river's ecosystem in profound ways.
Today's Mississippi River levee system represents both triumph and challenge as engineers and environmentalists work to balance flood protection with ecological preservation. This ongoing legacy demonstrates how a simple earthen barrier from 1717 sparked three centuries of engineering advancement that continues to shape life along the Mississippi River.