Changes in channel characteristics, 1938-74, of the Homochitto River and tributaries, Mississippi

Channel characteristics in the lower reaches of the Homochitto River in southwest Mississippi and some of its tributaries changed following the completion of cutoffs and channelization projects between 1938 and 1940. Channel degradation and accelerated bank sloughing began during the early 1940's in the vicinity of Doloroso, a short distance upstream from the Abernathy Channel, a 9-mile cutoff emptying into the Mississippi River. By the late 1940's, channel degradation was apparent at Rosetta, 24 miles upstream. By 1974, channel degradation totaled 19 feet at Doloroso, 18.5 feet at Kingston, and 15 feet at Rosetta. Substantial channel degradation had also occurred in Second Creek, Crooked Creek, and Middle Fork Homochitto River. Little or no channel degradation had occurred at Bude by 1974.