1913 Norris Peters Map of Mississippi River Flooding in 1912

This is a 1913 Norris Peters map of the 1912 Mississippi River Flood. One of the worst Mississippi River floods in recorded history, the flood caused nearly $100 million in damage and lasted 83 days. The 1912 flood was also the first Mississippi River flood to be photographed.

A Closer Look

The map depicts the Mississippi River Valley from St. Genevieve County, Missouri, to the Gulf of Mexico. Horizontal lines highlight flooded areas from Cairo, Illinois, south to Louisiana and covers parts of Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Major cities are circled and labeled, including Memphis, Helena, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans.

The 1912 Mississippi River Flood

The 1912 Mississippi River Flood was among the worst Mississippi River floods in history and the first to be photographed. Rainfall in the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys combined with rapidly melting snow to create the conditions that led to the 1912 Mississippi River Flood. The first day of the flood is considered to be March 18, when the Ohio River at Evansville, Indiana, first reached flood stage. The last is June 8, when the Mississippi River at New Orleans finally fell below flood levels - a total duration of 83 days. The length of the flood on some of the river's tributaries was shorter, ranging between 62 and 75 days. Levees from Cairo, Illinois, to New Orleans were breached. At one point, the Mississippi became 60 miles wide. The overflowed area measured 17,605 square miles, causing approximately $75 million in damage to crops, farmland, and other property. $4 million in damage was done to railroads.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by Norris Peters for the House of Representatives during the 3rd Session of the 62nd Congress (which was in session from December 2, 1912 - March 3, 1913). This is the only known cataloged example of the present map. Other copies likely exist with the entire House Documents report.