Mississippi River Commission gains fresh perspective of Tennessee, Cumberland Rivers

The Motor Vessel Mississippi arrives with a group of stakeholders at Cheatham Lock and Dam in Ashland City, Tenn., Aug. 12, 2015. The stakeholders were onboard to interact with the Mississippi River Commission in the process of conducting a low water inspection of the Cumberland River.

Bob Sneed (Left), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Water Management Section chief, begins a walking tour of the city of Nashville at Riverfront displaying a photo of what Music City looked like when the Cumberland River flooded in May 2010. Several members of the Mississippi River Commission and local stakeholders took the tour Aug. 12, 2015.

Several members of the Mississippi River Commission and local stakeholders head down lower Broadway in Nashville, Tenn. Aug. 12, 2015 during a walking tour.

Roger Lindsey (Right), professional engineer and program manager for Metro Nashville Water Services, talks about how the city responded during the May 2010 flood during a walking tour of the city of Nashville, Tenn. Several members of the Mississippi River Commission and local stakeholders took the tour Aug. 12, 2015.

Roger Lindsey (Right), professional engineer and program manager for Metro Nashville Water Services, talks about how the city responded during the May 2010 flood during a walking tour of the city of Nashville, Tenn. Several members of the Mississippi River Commission and local stakeholders took the tour Aug. 12, 2015.

Brig. Gen. Richard G. Kaiser, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, talks with Sonia Allman, Nashville Metro Water Services, onboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi in Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 12, 2015. Kaiser was interacting with stakeholders during a low water inspection trip on the Cumberland River in the Nashville District area of operations.

Greg Batts, owner of Prizer Point Marina and Resort in Cadiz, Ky., asks the Mississippi River Commission to communicate with the recreation community because they want to partner and to have input in the decisions that directly affect them. The commission and stakeholders were traveling onboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi Aug. 12, 2015 on the Cumberland River headed to Cheatham Lock and Dam in Ashland City, Tenn.

Motor Vessel Mississippi Capt. Lee Hendrix shows Tennessean Reporter Natalie Alund where the vessel traveled down the Tennessee River, through the Barkley Canal, and down the Cumberland River to Nashville, Tenn., during a low water inspection being conducted by the Mississippi River Commission. Aug. 12, 2015.

A Nashville Metro Police vessel approaches a barge tow full of coal headed for the Gallatin Steam Plant on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 12, 2015. The photo was taken from the Motor Vessel Mississippi as it approached from the opposite direction with a group of stakeholders headed to Cheatham Lock and Dam in Ashland City, Tenn. The stakeholders were onboard to interact with the Mississippi River Commission in the process of conducting a low water inspection of the Cumberland River.

The Motor Vessel Mississippi prepares to depart the city of Nashville with a group of stakeholders headed to Cheatham Lock and Dam in Ashland City, Tenn. The stakeholders were onboard to interact with the Mississippi River Commission in the process of conducting a low water inspection of the Cumberland River.

The Motor Vessel Mississippi is docked at McGregor Park in Clarksville, Tenn, Aug. 11, 2015 during a stop along the Cumberland River. The vessel is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ largest diesel towboat and flagship to the Mississippi River Commission, which is inspecting Corps of Engineers projects along the Cumberland River as part of the commission’s annual low water inspection trip. The general duties of the MRC include the recommendation of policy and work flood control, navigation, and environmental projects on the Mississippi River, programs, the study of and reporting on the necessity for modifications to and conducting semiannual inspection trips and public hearings at various locations along the river. The work of the MRC is directed by its president and carried out by Army engineer districts from the watershed.

The Motor Vessel Mississippi is docked at McGregor Park in Clarksville, Tenn, Aug. 11, 2015 during a stop along the Cumberland River. The vessel is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ largest diesel towboat and flagship to the Mississippi River Commission, which is inspecting Corps of Engineers projects along the Cumberland River as part of the commission’s annual low water inspection trip. The general duties of the MRC include the recommendation of policy and work flood control, navigation, and environmental projects on the Mississippi River, programs, the study of and reporting on the necessity for modifications to and conducting semiannual inspection trips and public hearings at various locations along the river. The work of the MRC is directed by its president and carried out by Army engineer districts from the watershed.

The Motor Vessel Mississippi is docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 8, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel. The vessel is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ largest diesel towboat and flagship to the Mississippi River Commission, which is inspecting Corps of Engineers projects along the Tennessee River as part of the commission’s annual low water inspection trip.

The Motor Vessel Mississippi is docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 8, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel. The vessel is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ largest diesel towboat and flagship to the Mississippi River Commission, which is inspecting Corps of Engineers projects along the Tennessee River as part of the commission’s annual low water inspection trip.

The Motor Vessel Mississippi is docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 8, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel. The vessel is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ largest diesel towboat and flagship to the Mississippi River Commission, which is inspecting Corps of Engineers projects along the Tennessee River as part of the commission’s annual low water inspection trip.

Brig. Gen. Richard G. Kaiser (Left), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River Division commander, speaks with Jeff Lewis, field representative for Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, during a stakeholder social onboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi while docked at Ross’s Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 8, 2015. The commission is on a low water inspection of the Tennessee River and works to have a dialogue with community leaders along the waterway.

Stephen Gambrell, executive assistant for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division, welcomes distinguished guests onboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi Aug. 8, 2015 involved in a stakeholder social with the Mississippi River Commission while docked at Ross’s Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn. The commission is on a low water inspection of the Tennessee River.

Motor Vessel Mississippi prepares to enter Guntersville Lock in Grant, Ala., the morning of Aug. 9, 2015. The lock, which is located at Tennessee River Mile 349, is maintained and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District. The vessel is transporting the Mississippi River Commission, which is conducting a low water inspection of the Tennessee River.

Motor Vessel Mississippi departs Guntersville Lock in Grant, Ala., the morning of Aug. 9, 2015. The lock, which is located at Tennessee River Mile 349, is maintained and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District. The vessel is transporting the Mississippi River Commission, which is conducting a low water inspection of the Tennessee River.

Motor Vessel Mississippi heads down the Tennessee River after leaving Guntersville Lock in Grant, Ala., the morning of Aug. 9, 2015. The lock, which is located at Tennessee River Mile 349, is maintained and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District. The vessel is transporting the Mississippi River Commission, which is conducting a low water inspection of the Tennessee River.

Motor Vessel Mississippi departs Guntersville Lock in Grant, Ala., the morning of Aug. 9, 2015. The lock, which is located at Tennessee River Mile 349, is maintained and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District. The vessel is transporting the Mississippi River Commission, which is conducting a low water inspection of the Tennessee River.

Lock Operator Brandon Smith communicates with the Motor Vessel Mississippi captain as the towboat prepares to lock through Guntersville Lock in Grant, Ala., the morning of Aug. 9, 2015. The lock, which is located at Tennessee River Mile 349, is maintained and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District. The vessel is transporting the Mississippi River Commission, which is conducting a low water inspection of the Tennessee River.

Motor Vessel Mississippi locks through Guntersville Lock in Grant, Ala., the morning of Aug. 9, 2015. The lock, which is located at Tennessee River Mile 349, is maintained and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District. The vessel is transporting the Mississippi River Commission, which is conducting a low water inspection of the Tennessee River.

Motor Vessel Mississippi Captain Lee Hendrix watches as Garrett Durrett, 5, of Pelham, Ala., looks through a pair of binoculars during a public tour of the vessel docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel.

A family watches the Southern Belle pass by from their vantage point on the Motor Vessel Mississippi during a public tour of the vessel docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel.

Walker Mohon (Left) welcomes visitors to the engine room of the Motor Vessel Mississippi during a public tour of the vessel docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel. The vessel is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ largest diesel towboat and flagship to the Mississippi River Commission, which is inspecting Corps of Engineers projects along the Tennessee River as part of the commission’s annual low water inspection trip.

Visitors look at displays about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, and Tennessee Valley Authority onboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi during a public tour of the vessel docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel.

The Motor Vessel Mississippi is docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel.

The Motor Vessel Mississippi is docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel.

The Southern Belle passes by the Motor Vessel Mississippi during a public tour of the vessel docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel.

Tommy Long (Green Shirt), resident engineer for the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project, briefs the Mississippi River Commission at the lock Aug. 8, 2015. The commission is on a low water inspection of the Tennessee River. Long works in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Engineering and Construction Division.

Don Getty (Red Shirt), project manager for the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project, briefs Brig. Gen. Richard G. Kaiser, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River Division commander, during a visit to the lock Aug. 8, 2015 in his capacity as a member of the Mississippi River Commission. The commission is on a low water inspection of the Tennessee River. Getty works in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Project Planning Branch.

Maj. Gen. Michael C. Wehr (Right), Mississippi Valley Division commander and president of the Mississippi River Commission, speaks with David Bowlira (Center) and John McCormick of the Tennessee Valley Authority during a stakeholder social onboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi while docked at Ross’s Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 8, 2015. The commission is on a low water inspection of the Tennessee River and works to have a dialogue with community leaders along the waterway.

A recreational vessel locks through Chickamauga Lock in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 8, 2015 while the Mississippi River Commission, Corps of Engineers officials and local stakeholders tour the lock. The commission is on a low water inspection of the Tennessee River.

Lt. Col. Stephen F. Murphy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District commander, talks with stakeholders while the Mississippi River Commission visits Chickamauga Lock on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 8, 2015.

Tommy Long (Green Shirt), resident engineer for the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project, briefs Maj. Gen. Michael C. Wehr, Mississippi Valley Division commander, during a visit to the lock Aug. 8, 2015 in his capacity as the president of the Mississippi River Commission. The Honorable Sam E. Angel, civilian member of the commission, is also listening to Long. The commission is on a low water inspection of the Tennessee River. Long works in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Engineering and Construction Division.

A couple looks at a display about the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division onboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi during a public tour of the vessel docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel.

Jimmy Waddle (Center), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Engineering and Construction Division chief, encourages a couple to board the Motor Vessel Mississippi to enjoy a public tour of the vessel docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel.

The Motor Vessel Mississippi is docked at Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2015. The M/V Mississippi spends more than 90 percent of its time as a working towboat, moving barges, equipment and supplies on the lower Mississippi River. The M/V Mississippi, built in 1993 by Halter Marine, is the fifth Army Corps of Engineers towboat to bear the name. It is the largest diesel towboat in the United States at 241-feet long, 58-feet wide and five stories high. Three 2,100-horsepower diesel engines power the vessel.

The Mississippi River Commission, Corps of Engineers officials and local stakeholders tour the Chickamauga Lock Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 8, 2015. The commission is on a low water inspection of the Tennessee River.