Mississippi River Basin Model: A National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark to Marvel
Looking for an engineering triumph and a piece of Mississippi—and U.S.—history?
Some might say that it's lost history among most, but the Mississippi River Basin Model features all major tributaries and river channels from Sioux City, Iowa, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and relevant tributaries such as the Ohio, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri rivers.
The model allows visitors to "travel" from Natchez to Memphis in minutes, seeing the scaled landscape in miniature detail, and in 2018, it was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The World's Largest Physical River Model
Major flood events in 1927 and 1937 provoked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve flood control planning. From 1943 to 1966, they built the Mississippi River Basin Model, a unique, large-scale hydraulic model, covering 200-210 acres. It is the world's largest small-scale physical model of its kind.
Scale and Scope of the Mississippi River Basin Model
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Mississippi River Basin Model reflects the topography and river systems of about 1.25 million square miles—roughly 41% of the United States—at a scale of 1:2,000 horizontally and 1:100 vertically, allowing physical simulation of river flows, flood conditions, and the effects of flood control measures. The model is located within Buddy Butts Park, just northwest of Jackson near Clinton.
Construction History and Operation
German prisoners of war started the initial model creation, and it was completed by civilian and U.S. Army Personnel in 1966. Between 1949 and 1973, it was used to run simulations by introducing scaled quantities of water, enabling researchers to see real-time flood scenarios and test flood-mitigation strategies. A full day's river flow could be simulated in about five minutes.
Legacy and Current Status
The model supported major improvements in flood control and river management for decades, running 79 large-scale simulations during its operational life. It was also a regional tourist attraction. It is no longer functional as a research facility, but it is accessible to the public within Buddy Butts Park. Friends of the Mississippi River Basin Model, a volunteer group, is working to maintain and restore the site for educational purposes.
Visit the Mississippi River Basin Model Today
The Mississippi River Basin Model remains an accessible piece of engineering history located in Buddy Butts Park near Clinton, Mississippi, offering visitors a unique glimpse into America's flood control legacy and civil engineering achievements.
