2015 Map of Long Island

About this map

The Mississippi River creates a complex network of islands and side channels at the border of Missouri and Illinois, dominated by the massive landmass of Long Island. This 2015 survey details the intricate hydrology of the floodplain, where the river splits into Smoots Chute and Canton Chute, isolating features like Shandrew Island and Chatton Island. On the Missouri bank, the settlement of La Grange sits at the river's edge, while the Illinois side transitions into more elevated terrain near Ursa. The landscape is defined by the tension between natural water bodies like Indian Grave Lake and human-engineered drainage features such as the Main Ditch. Local history is embedded in the naming of smaller drainage ways and river access points, including Blickhan Landing Area and Harkness Br, reflecting a long-standing reliance on the river for both transport and agriculture.