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Slideshow: Taming the Wild River

Attempts to keep the Mississippi contained have often had the opposite effect, but now the Army is counting on huge mats of concrete to do the job. Michelle Delio reports from Natchez, Mississippi.
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The Mat Sinking Unit moves south on the Mississippi River, pushed by the Benyaurd.

See related story: Taming the Wild River

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Before the Mat Sinking Unit arrives at a particular position, the river is allowed to eat away at the banks until they arrive at a desired position, as calculated by the Corps. At that point, the banks are fixed in place with the concrete mats to stop the river from meandering any farther.
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New hires report for work on the Mat Sinking Unit as it prepares to leave the Vicksburg waterfront.
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The Corps began experimenting with mats made of reinforced concrete in 1914, and the first successful reinforced and articulated concrete matt was developed in 1917 by D. H. Shearer. The Corps has continued to refine the design and says it's now "as close to perfect as we can get it."
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Tow boat Harrison accompanies barges loaded with rolls of wire and other necessary equipment for the Mat Sinking Unit.
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Barges with equipment and cars are sent downriver as the Mat Sinking Unit heads out for work from the Vicksburg waterfront.
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A riverboat plies the Mississippi near Natchez.
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The Mat Sinking Unit leaves the Vicksburg waterfront.
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Articulated concrete mats are brought in by barge from one of the mat-casting fields along the river in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. A fleet of 50 such barges are towed up and down the river by Corps or contract boats during the mat-sinking season.