The Ancient Mississippi River’s Return
By Roy Burbank Van Arsdale, Youngsang Kwon, Randel T. Cox, David N. Lumsden
Current flooding along preglacial tributaries foreshadows broader changes as North America rebounds from the most recent ice age.
This Article From Issue
May-June 2026
Volume 114, Number 3
Page 170
The Red River of the North, which flows northward from the United States into Canada across an ancient lake bed, is one of North America’s most flood-prone rivers. Its gentle gradient, broad valley floor, and northward snowmelt pattern make spring flooding a perennial hazard. Ice jams and prolonged snowmelt routinely force the river over its banks, inundating farmland and urban areas.
QUICK TAKE
- North America is still rebounding from the most recent ice age. Today, the rising landscape is altering river gradients and drainage patterns, which influence flood risk.
- Geological evidence suggests that rivers such as the Red River of the North once flowed south into the Mississippi River, forming a vast continental watershed.
- As the rebound continues, ancient drainage patterns may reemerge. Within about 10,000 years, the Red River could reverse direction, causing increased flooding.
American Scientist Comments and Discussion
To discuss our articles or comment on them, please share them and tag American Scientist on social media platforms. Here are links to our profiles on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
If we re-share your post, we will moderate comments/discussion following our comments policy.