Yesterday was clear and very cold (for us). The family took a ride to the state park at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The point on the right is literally the tip of land between the two. The view is roughly to the southeast. All the ice is coming in from the Missouri, on the right.
The Mississippi, on the left, is clear for a reason. The site is just below the massive lock and dam at Alton, Illinois. Ice backs up behind it and only clear water flows through. There hasn't been enough time and space for it to re-freeze. The drop in elevation downstream is so gradual that there are no locks all the way from St. Louis to New Orleans.
The Mississippi, on the left, is clear for a reason. The site is just below the massive lock and dam at Alton, Illinois. Ice backs up behind it and only clear water flows through. There hasn't been enough time and space for it to re-freeze. The drop in elevation downstream is so gradual that there are no locks all the way from St. Louis to New Orleans.
Chilly comes to mind! I imagine numerous people do come to the confluence.
ReplyDeleteThat does look rather cold. The person looks like he/she is taking a photo. The ice reminds me of the breakup season in Fairbanks.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading a book recently that is (in part) about the influence of geography on the fortunes of countries and continents. The wide free-flowing and gradual Mississippi is credited with much of America's good fortune.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't seem possible that the Mississippi would have ice on river that far south.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on