During most of our history, humans have been a nomadic species, living in temporary camps as we followed game and explored our planet. Early man surely noticed that many rivers lie on broad, flat plains but he had little reason to wonder about the evolution of that landscape. Though he often camped along rivers for water, food and transport, he was free to move on when floods developed.
Modern man has come to understand the natural history of rivers; he knows that glaciation, climate fluctuation and periodic flooding have all played a role in the formation of their floodplains. Yet, drawn by the many benefits that rivers provide, including the rich soil of their valleys, he has chosen to build permanent settlements on these ancient channels, relying on dams and levees for protection. Unfortunately, his brief life span (and the relatively short history of record keeping) cause him to underestimate the extent and power of massive, periodic floods.
Once again, we are witnessing destruction and misery along the Mississippi Valley. "I've never seen the water this high," a farmer laments; but he is in his fifties and the river has molded its floodplain over hundreds of thousands of years. It is time that we respect the lessons of natural history; the evolution of our landscape continues and we stand it its way at our peril!
