MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION 

P.O. SOX 80 

VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI 39181·0080 

PRESIDENT and MEMBER 

-Maj. Gen. Michael J. Walsh 

Commander, Mississippi 

Valley Division 

Vicksburg, Mississippi 

MEMBERS 

Honorable Sam E. Angel 

Sr. Civilian 

Lake Village, Arkansas 

Honorable R. D. James 

Civilian/Civil Engineer 

New Madrid. Missouri 

•Honorable Wm. Clifford Smith 

Civilian/Civil Engineer 

Houma, Louisiana 

~Rear Adm. Jonathan W. Bailey 

National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration 

Silver Spring, Maryland 

"Maj. Gen. John W. Peabody 

Commander. Great Lakes & 

Ohio River Division 

Cincinnati, Ohio 

*Brig. Gen. John R. McMahon 

Commander. Norlhwestem 

Division 

Portland, Oregon 

SECRETARY 

Col. George T. Shepard Jr. 

Vicksburg, Mississippi 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Mr. T. Stephen Gambrell 

Vicksburg, Mississippi 

(601) 634-5766 

Email: cemvd-ex@usace.army.mil 

Web site: www.mvd.usace.army.millmrc 

"'designee 

**nominated 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION 

VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI 

April 15, 2011 

Statement of the Mississippi River Commission 

Peer-Reviewed Science and Engineering 

for Outlets and Diversions 

The Mississippi River Commission has witnessed and received 

passionate testimony regarding the many water resource challenges in the 

lower Mississippi Valley. Reliable deep draft navigation channels, storm 

surge and riverine flood protection, sediment transport, freshwater 

diversions, dredging and disposal of dredged material, coastal restoration, 

and environmental sustainability characterize the complexities facing the 

stewards of the region's water resources. None of these challenges are 

mutually exclusive; rather they are interdependent. 

In order to successfully address and balance the demands of the 

challenges facing this Commission in the areas of navigation, flood 

control, environmental sustainability, and coastal restoration, we must use 

non-partisan, science-based methods capable of ensuring sound and 

objective decisions. 

This Commission has heard calls for the use models of various 

kinds to solve the multitude of intricacies involved in managing the water 

resources of the nation. Our experience with modeling--whether physical, 

numerical, or computer--provides valuable insight and better 

understanding of those challenges. However, we recognize our modeling 

efforts must facilitate timely decisions and ultimate action on proposed 

outlets or diversions. 

To achieve sustainable solutions, we must assure that we remain 

an internationally-respected entity that is thoroughly grounded in both the 

theoretical and the experiential concepts of hydraulics and represented by 

a broad range of experience in the development and execution of models 

that account for sediment and water movements and impacts. The 

Mississippi River Commission intends to leverage panels of nationally and 

internationally recognized experts in fields associated with river 

management to aid in the review and understanding of highly technical 

Since 1879, the seven-member Presidentially appointed Mississippi River Commission has developed and matured plans for the general improvement of the 

Mississippi River from the Head of Passes to the Headwaters. The Mississippi River Commission brings critical engineering representation to the drainage basin, 

which impacts 41% of the United States and includes 1.25 million square miles, over 250 tributaries, 31 states, and 2 Canadian provinces. 

Listening, Inspecting, Partnering and Engineering since 1879 
issues, with the ultimate aim of delivering concrete and workable solutions and projects. 

The Mississippi River Commission will continue to balance relationships among the 

navigation, flood control, and coastal restoration needs of the region. 

Jonathan W. Bailey 

Member Nominee 

National Oceanic & 

Atmospheric Administration 

Silver Spring, MD 

hn R. McMahon 

rigadier General, U.S. Army 

Member Designee 

Northwestern Division 

Portland, OR 

2 

Civilian Member, Engineer 

Houma, LA 

hn W. Peabody 

ajor General, U.S. 

Member Designee 

Great Lakes & Ohio River Division 

Cincinnati, OH