Grand Lake
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, conducted a sedimentation improvement study of the Grand Lake Towhead reach of the Middle Mississippi River between River Miles (RM) 26.0 and 10.5 near Cairo, Illinois. This study was funded by the Regulating Works Project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District. The purpose of the model study was to produce a report that outlined the results of an analysis of various river engineering measures intended to reduce or eliminate dredging within the Grand Lake Towhead reach.
The goals of this study were to:
- Investigate and provide analysis on the existing flow mechanics causing the repetitive dredging problems.
- Evaluate a variety of remedial measures utilizing an HSR model with the objective of identifying the most effective and economical plan to reduce or eliminate dredging within the study reach. In order to determine the best alternative, three criteria were used to evaluate each alternative.
- The alternative should reduce or eliminate dredging within the Grand Lake Towhead reach.
- The alternative should maintain the navigation channel requirements of at least 9 foot of depth and 300 foot of width.
- The alternative should not negatively impact environmental areas, and impacts on shallow water habitat should be closely monitored. More specifically, the alternative should not impact the bars at Boston Bar, Thompson Towhead, or Greenleaf Bend. In addition, Sister Chute should not be negatively affected.
- Communicate to other engineers, river industry personnel, and environmental agency personnel the results of the HSR model tests and the plans for improvements.
