The American Bottom
…major flood in 1903, the East Side Levee and Sanitary District created a system to protect East St. Louis and some of the surrounding communities in the American Bottom from the Mississippi River. So far those levees have proven successful. While some parts of the American Bottom have been flooded, these communities have never again been plagued by flood-water. This photo of three young Kaskaskia girls belies the truth that life was difficult in the region. Despite the rich soil and easy access to water, frequent flooding caused great upheaval for Kaskaskia residents. The American Bottom contributes in several ways…
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