Mississippi

Here’s how the locks and dams on the Mississippi River work, and why they exist

Published

2 years ago

January 1, 2024

Here’s how the locks and dams on the Mississippi River work, and why they exist

The tug Theresa L. Wood heads upstream after locking through Lock and Dam #8 in May in Genoa, Wis. The vessel was moving barges from St. Louis to Winona, Minn. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long. It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Get on a boat on the upper Mississippi River, and you’ll eventually come upon a looming concrete structure stretching across the river’s main channel.

It’s called a lock and dam, and it’s a distinct feature of the upper river. The construction of locks and dams, a major feat of engineering that occurred largely during the Great Depression, has transformed how the Mississippi River runs.

What are these locks and dams for? How do they work, who controls them, and what changes have they made to the river ecosystem?

Here’s what you should know.

Why are there locks and dams on the Mississippi River? How do they work?

Prior to the installment of the locks and dams, the upper Mississippi River was free-flowing, regularly cutting new paths — and sometimes it was so shallow that people could wade across it. The locks and dams were put in place so that boats hauling freight up and down the upper river could have easier passage.

In 1930, Congress approved a project that would ultimately create the current system: The upper river is divided into sections called pools, where a fixed amount of river is held back by a dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers controls how much water is in a pool at a given time. Each pool must be at least nine feet deep to allow towboats hauling barges to move through.

The construction of the locks and dams provided work for thousands of people along the upper river during the Great Depression. River towns grew in population as temporary workers moved in. An oral history project from the 1980s notes that in Genoa, Wis., near Lock and Dam 8, “Business boomed, particularly taverns,” and “Anyone having a room in a home had no trouble renting it.”

Between the headwaters in northern Minnesota and St. Louis, the river falls about 420 feet in elevation. When a boat enters a lock, the lock acts like an elevator, bringing the boat up or down to the water level of the next pool. You can also picture it like a staircase of water that boats and barges climb and descend.

Do the locks and dams control flooding on the river?

The locks and dams don’t provide flood control. Downstream from Wisconsin, there are levees meant to constrain the river away from communities and high-production farmland.

How many locks and dams are there?

There are 29 locks and dams on the upper river.

The first lock and dam structure, at Upper St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, has been closed to barge traffic since 2015. The Army Corps is currently considering the removal of the next two structures, Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam and Lock and Dam 1, between Minneapolis and St. Paul, to return the river to its free-flowing past in the Twin Cities.

The southernmost lock and dam is near Granite City, Illinois, north of St. Louis.

Who operates them?

The Army Corps operates the locks and dams.

Why doesn’t the lower Mississippi have locks and dams?

The lower river, which stretches south from Cairo, Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico, does not have locks and dams. As major rivers like the Missouri and the Ohio join up with the Mississippi, the channel becomes deep and wide enough to naturally accommodate shipping.

Are the locks and dams in good condition?

When the locks and dams were constructed, mostly between 1930 and 1940, engineers estimated their life span to be about 50 years.

The Army Corps makes routine repairs to the structures, many of which still have original parts that are now around 90 years old. This winter, for example, they’ll drain the water out of Lock and Dam 2 near Hastings, Minnesota, to make repairs to its concrete. But the Corps reports that there’s an estimated billion-dollar maintenance backlog — and officials acknowledge that making fixes here and there may not be enough.

The tug Theresa L. Wood heads upstream after locking through Lock and Dam #8 Wednesday, May 17 2023 in Genoa, Wis. The vessel was moving barges from St. Louis to Winona, Minn. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. Most towboats can push 15 barges at a time on the river. When those barges reach a 600-foot long lock, they don’t fit. Instead, they have to be split up, which takes more than twice as long.It was constructed and was put into operation by April 1937. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel — The tug Theresa L. Wood heads upstream after locking through Lock and Dam #8 in May in Genoa, Wis. The vessel was moving barges from St. Louis to Winona, Minn. The locks allow the boats to gradually adjust to changing river levels. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

“At some point, we’re going to need some major rehabilitation of these structures,” Kristin Moe, navigation business line manager for the Army Corps’ St. Paul District, told the Journal Sentinel earlier this year.

Groups that represent the shipping industry contend that instead of making repairs to existing locks, the Army Corps should be constructing new ones that have a 1,200-foot chamber to more efficiently accommodate larger groups of barges than the current chambers, which are 600 feet long.

How have the locks and dams affected the river ecosystem?

Converting the free-flowing river into a series of pools has changed its natural habitats and processes. Because the dams caused more water to fill into the flood plain permanently, forest cover decreased and became fragmented, according to a 2022 study on the ecological status of the upper Mississippi.

Islands have shrunk or disappeared, attributed to wind and wave erosion across the pools, and backwater areas off the main channel have filled in with sediment, making them less hospitable to fish. Consistent high water levels have made it more difficult for some types of aquatic vegetation to survive.

In the decades since the locks and dams were constructed, the Army Corps has completed projects to try to address some of these consequences and revitalize habitat for fish and wildlife, including building new islands and dredging backwaters to restore their depth.

This story is a product of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri in partnership with Report for America, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation.

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Mississippi

Two more Mississippi State players announce decision to enter portal

Published

7 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Two more Mississippi State players announce decision to enter portal

The exodus of Mississippi State players continued Sunday afternoon with two more players announcing decisions to enter the transfer portal.

Running back Seth Davis and offensive lineman Luke Work have decided to enter the transfer portal. Both made their announcements in social media posts.

“I’m beyond thankful for my time at Mississippi State. These past two years gave me memories, friendships and lessons that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life,” Work stated. “God gets all the glory. None of this would be possible without Him guiding my path. Thank you to every coach, teammate, staff member and all the amazing people I’ve met along the way. This place truly became family to me. No matter where the road takes me next, I’ll always be proud to say I wore maroon and white.”

Thank you, Mississippi State pic.twitter.com/u55t9dHTYR
— Luke Work (@LukeWork1) January 4, 2026

Work played in 23 games in his two seasons in Starkville. He was thrust into the starting lineup last season as a true freshman, starting seven games including five at left tackle. This past season Work worked mostly at tackle and guard and played in every game except the first against Southern Miss because of an injury.

Davis began his collegiate career with a solid 2023 season, playing in all 12 games and running 59 times for 356 yards and one touchdown. However, his career was put on hold in that season’s Egg Bowl when he suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss all of the 2024 season.

The Katy, Texas native was able to return to action this season and played in two games. Against Alcorn State, Davis had five carries for 47 yards and one touchdown. He enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining.

I have decided to enter the transfer portal with 3 years of eligibility.#Godsplan🙏🏾
Thank you Mississippi State❤️ pic.twitter.com/zr7Wuzkyxm
— Seth Davis (@_SethDavis21) January 4, 2026

Mississippi State Transfer Portal

Incoming Bulldogs

Official Visits Scheduled

CB Tyran Chappell (Houston Christian)
OL DJ Chester (LSU)
DL Jayson Jenkins (Florida State)
EDGE Tunmise Adeleye ( UNLV)
DL Tarvorise Brown (Florida)
OT Veguer Jean Jumeau (Tennessee State)
DT Ahmad Breaux (LSU)
DL Khalil Poteat (Temple)
S Justin Denson Jr. (Michigan State)
CB Quentin Taylor (Iowa State)
WR Marquis Johnson (Missouri)
OL Mario Nash (Florida State)
OL Lucas Simmons (Florida State)
QB AJ Swann (Appalachian State)
WR Earnest Campbell (Sacramento State)
TE Jeff Carpenter (Nevada)
OL Grant Seagren (Oklahoma State)
CB Daniel Harris (Georgia)
OT Anwar O’Neal (Delaware)
DL Brandon Davis-Swain (Colorado)
EDGE Jalen Thompson (Michigan State)
OL Miles McVay (North Carolina)

Outgoing Bulldogs

WR Jordan Mosley
S Stonka Burnside
WR Cam Thompson (Northern Illinois)
WR Anson Lewis
DL Terrance Hibbler
OL Jaekwon Bouldin
WR Jaron Glover
DL Corey Clark
OL Alex Lopez
K Marlon Hauck
OL Brennan Smith
S Tony Mitchell
WR Markus Allen
DE Joseph Head
TE Max Reese
OL Jimothy Lewis Jr.
WR Ferzell Shepard
TE Emeka Iloh
S Lo’Kavion Jackson
TE Cam Ball
QB Luke Kromenhoek
RB Johnnie Daniels
S Tyler Woodard
CB Dwight Lewis III
DL Ashun Shepphard
WR Davian Jackson
P Nathan Tiyce
DT Kai McClendon
CB Elijah Cannon
S Cyrus Reyes
OL Luke Work
RB Seth Davis

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Jan. 3, 2026

Published

19 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Jan. 3, 2026

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

01-04-07-15-34

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 4-5-3, FB: 6

Evening: 3-9-1, FB: 0

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 5-3-4-4, FB: 6

Evening: 9-9-0-0, FB: 0

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Midday: 12

Evening: 09

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Mississippi

How to watch Oklahoma Sooners: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Dec. 29

Published

7 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

How to watch Oklahoma Sooners: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Dec. 29

The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (1-12) head into a road matchup with Tae Davis and the Oklahoma Sooners (9-3) at Lloyd Noble Center on Monday, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

We provide more details below, and that includes how to watch this game on SEC Network+.

Here is everything you need to prepare for Monday’s college hoops game.

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State: How to watch on TV or live stream

Game day: Monday, December 29, 2025
Game time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Arena: Lloyd Noble Center
TV Channel: SEC Network+
Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State stats and trends

With 86.9 points per game on offense, Oklahoma is 46th in the nation. At the other end, it gives up 72.7 points per contest, which ranks 174th in college basketball.
The Sooners are grabbing 34.8 boards per game (111th-ranked in college basketball) this season, while allowing 30.5 rebounds per contest (156th-ranked).
Oklahoma is averaging 16.7 dimes per game, which ranks them 76th in college basketball in 2025-26.
The Sooners are forcing 11.6 turnovers per game this season (214th-ranked in college basketball), but they’ve averaged just 9.3 turnovers per contest (20th-best).
This season, Oklahoma is making 10.2 three-pointers per game (45th-ranked in college basketball) and is shooting 34.6% (143rd-ranked) from three-point land.
The Sooners are giving up 8.6 treys per game (281st-ranked in college basketball) this season, while allowing a 35.2% three-point percentage (285th-ranked).
Of the shots attempted by Oklahoma in 2025-26, 53.7% of them have been two-pointers (66.6% of the team’s made baskets) and 46.3% have been threes (33.4%).

Oklahoma vs. Mississippi Valley State Odds and Spread

Spread Favorite: Sooners (-44.5)
Total: 152.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 2:47 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.

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