The River

Title: Chart of High and Low Water Levels
Type: Data
Date: 1939
Source: Minnesota Historical Society

Description: The United States Army Corps of Engineers published this listing of high and low water levels of the Mississippi in 1939. On this chart, "0" is equal to the normal water level in Red Wing.

Activities:

1. In what year was the river at Red Wing at its highest?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: In 1880, the river was at 15.3 feet.
2. In what year was the river at Red Wing at its lowest?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: In 1934, the river was 3.5 feet below its normal level.
3. Between 1921 and 1927, the river was below normal levels each year. What effect might this have had on local farmers?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: The low water level would suggest that there was very little rain in those years, which would make it more difficult for farmers to grow their crops.
4. How do you think these readings were taken?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: The U.S. Weather Bureau set up a gauge (gage) on the river to measure the water level. Someone checked the gauge each day and recorded it.