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Will floodwaters capsize commerce on the river? Mississippi at highest level since 1973.

Article Excerpt
"There is a lot of water out there" is a bit of an understatement. Torrential rains in April led to the highest flood levels along the Mississippi River seen in decades. At the height of flooding, an estimated 276,000 acres in Mississippi were under water, including the Yazoo Backwater area and land within the levees.

"We haven't seen water this high in the Mississippi River since 1973, which was 35 years ago," said Frank Worley, chief of public affairs, Vicksburg District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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The river crested at 50.8 feet at the Vicksburg gauge April 19, compared to the 1973 crest of 51.6 at the same location. Considering the amount of water, it is remarkable there wasn't more business disruption.

"The levee system held up well," Worley said. "The flood damage reduction infrastructure appears to be working well. The levee boards lead the flood fight....

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