LITTLE RIVER DRAINAGE DISTRICT KEEPS SOUTHEAST MISSOURI HIGH AND DRY

Most of Southeast Missouri was swamps unsuitable for habitation until the early part of this century. Thanks to the creation of the Little River Drainage District in 1907, the vast swamp was transformed into an area that produces a plethora of agricultural products -- a transformation with monstrous economic effects on the region.

Stretching from southern Cape Girardeau County to the Arkansas line, the Little River Drainage District maintains the 35-mile Diversion Channel and its levees south of Cape Girardeau along with some 900 miles of ditches throughout Missouri's Bootheel.

"We represent about 2,400 landowners," said Larry Dowdy, the executive vice president of the district. "If this system wasn't in place, there would be water over Highway 25 near Advance, over Highway 60 between Dexter and Morehouse, and over much of the interstate running through the area."

Most people living in the area don't remember life before the elaborate drainage system because it is 87 years old.

Instead of a persistent swamp, the district's channel and ditch system -- protecting over 500,000 acres -- allows landowners to plant crops, build homes and exist in areas that otherwise would be covered with water.

Dowdy pointed out that the Little River Drainage District, the world's largest outlet drainage-levee system, employs 27 full-time staff working daily to maintain the ditch system and the Diversion Channel. The ditches, he said, must be dredged every eight to 10 years to keep them free of brush and silt. With about 900 miles of ditches, the district must dredge about 100 miles every year to keep up, he said. Crews also are busy performing periodic inspections and maintenance on the Diversion Channel levee.

"We're always behind," said Dowdy, "but if we stopped doing this today, in 10 years water would cover everything again."

As for the future of the district, Dowdy said he isn't worried since Little River is essential to the existence of Southeast Missouri, and property owners appreciate the organization. Financially, he said, the district exists because of a special drainage tax assessed on the 2,400 landowners. The tax rate is $2.50 per acre per year, he said.

Dowdy said if riverboat gaming comes to Scott City the future drainage tax would be almost halved. A proposal by Lady Luck to use the Diversion Channel as a port would enhance the district's revenues, he said, and it is being seriously considered by the board. The proposal hinges upon approval by the state gaming commission and Missouri allowing games of chance, he said.