August 27, 2014

The Honorable Dr. Norma Jean Mattei, civilian Mississippi River Commission member/civil engineer, has paid a visit to the Army Corps of Engineers Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) team that was installing new articulated concrete mat material in Vicksburg, Miss.

During the visit, Dr. Norma helped one of the crew members tie together blocks of concrete that make up the revetment mattress on the MSU during the MRC’s Low Water Inspection Trip.

The annual mat-laying mission begins in the late summer months when river stages are low, and lasts until the work is completed or river stages become too high to continue.

The mats, made of concrete blocks that are strung together to hold them in place, are designed to prevent erosion of the river’s earthen banks and to protect key features of the submerged riverbank.

[mappress]

August 27, 2014