Mississippi River 100
Commemorating the 1927 Flood. Imagining the Next 100 Years Together.
The Mississippi River 100 (MR100) is a bold, multi-year initiative that recognizes the complicated legacy of the Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927 — a transformative event that reverberated across the nation, reshaping how we govern and manage water, exposing social and racial disparities and contributing to major demographic shifts and cultural expression.
The Great Flood submerged more than 23,000 square miles of land across seven states, displacing hundreds of thousands of people, killing hundreds more, and causing significant damage to infrastructure and economies.
One hundred years later, MR100 is bringing together diverse voices from up and down the Mississippi River and its entire basin to reflect on the past and collaboratively chart a future grounded in resilience, innovation, and imagination.
Through a basin-wide series of events, research efforts, and creative expressions, MR100 will convene scientists, artists, community leaders, and policymakers to ask and address the big questions: What have we learned in the last 100 years? What do we still need to learn? What needs to change? And what future do we imagine for the river and for those who depend on it?
Why Now?
The Mississippi River Basin is the nation’s arterial system, cultural heart, and economic engine— touching parts or all of 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, an area of over 1.2 million square miles. This basin drains approximately 40% of the continental United States In 1927, decisions made in response to the flood changed the course of history and how we manage the river and its tributaries. Today, with growing climate, economic, and cultural challenges, we again stand at a turning point.
MR100 offers an opportunity to shape that trajectory with intention, collaboration, and insight.
What is MR100?
Details of specific MR100 programs and activities will be shaped through a planning and visioning process currently underway with a broad coalition of partners.
MR100 Initiative Goals
- Inspire cross-sector collaboration across the basin
- Advance science, policy, and humanities through a wholistic lens
- Integrate a broad spectrum of voices, places and perspectives
- Build a shared understanding of the basin’s past and future
- Spark local ownership and global relevance
Who is MR100?
Presented in partnership with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program and The Water Institute, MR100 is supported by a growing network of collaborators from across the Mississippi River basin. Early contributors include individuals and representatives from across science and academic institutions, government, private sector, and NGOs, foundations, cultural organizations, and community leaders and more.
Get involved
MR100 invites communities, organizations and individuals to participate, contribute and lead. The more people and organizations get involved, the more successful this effort will be.
Here are some ways you, your community, or your organization can take part:
- Host, co-sponsor, or propose a local event
- Participate in research
- Sponsor or fund an initiative
- Follow and share the journey on social media
- Help share the story of MR100 in your community
- Provide ideas and input
To sign up for updates, learn more or get involved, fill in this form and stay connected. Or email us at: info@mississippi100.org
