Waterways Experiment Station

Waterways Experiment Station is a research facility spanning hundreds of acres with multiple laboratories dedicated to water engineering studies. The center houses experimental models and testing grounds where engineers examine river behavior and flood control methods.

Congress established this research center in 1929 following the catastrophic Mississippi River flood of 1927 that exposed the need for better flood prediction tools. The creation marked a turning point in using scientific models to tackle large-scale water management challenges.

The station represents how communities respond to natural disasters by building institutions dedicated to understanding water systems. Visitors encounter a workplace where generations of engineers have worked toward managing one of America's most powerful rivers.

The facility sits south of Vicksburg and is accessible by car, but many areas require special permission to enter. Visitors should contact ahead or check the website for tour availability, as public access is limited to specific areas and times.

The facility houses an enormous model of the Mississippi Basin built between 1943 and 1966, one of the most comprehensive river replicas ever constructed. Engineers used it to test flood scenarios and understand how changes in one part of the river would affect the entire system.

Location: Vicksburg

Inception: 1930

GPS coordinates: 32.29722,-90.86944

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:07