Mile 908.0 - RBD 908 - 905 Donaldson Point Conservation Area (and also RBD 896-893)

RBD 908 - 905 Donaldson Point Conservation Area (and also RBD 896-893)

Donaldson Point Conservation Area occupies 5,785 acres on a unique point of land facing southwards between Island No 9, No 10, and Slough Neck (Bessie’s Bend). The Mississippi River forms part of the east and west boundaries as it slides down and around the point, first south running, then north running, and provides about seven miles of river frontage. The trees include cottonwood, willow, ash, elm, maple, pecan, sycamore, box elder, hickory, and some bottomland oak species. For birders Donaldson Point is home to several species not usually seen in the Mississippi lowlands including the endangered Swainson's warbler (nests in giant cane). Also seen are Mississippi kites, bald eagles and interior least terns. Swamp rabbits, and cotton mice run through the undergrowth. There are good fishing opportunities for bass, catfish, crappie, carp, buffalo, and sunfish. Hunting is allowed for deer, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, and waterfowl during season. (From the Missouri Dept of Conservation Website)

Reelfoot Lake State Park

Some say Reelfoot Lake was created by an earthquake. Others say the Great Spirit stomped his foot on the ground and created the lake. Both stories agree its waters were filled from the Mississippi River, as the lake is just ten miles south of Donaldson Point. According to Chickasaw legend, Reelfoot Lake is said to be named for an Indian chief who was born with a deformed foot and walked with a rolling motion, so was nicknamed "Kolopin," meaning Reelfoot. When he became chief, Reelfoot determined to marry a Choctaw princess, but her father would not permit it. The Great Spirit warned Reelfoot that if he attempted to kidnap the maiden, his village and his people would be destroyed. Reelfoot disobeyed the Spirit, and seized the princess by force and carried her to Chickasaw territory, where he arranged a marriage ceremony. In the middle of the ceremony, the Great Spirit stamped his foot in anger, causing the earth to quake, and the Father of the Waters raised the Mississippi River over its banks, inundating Reelfoot's homeland. The water flowed into the imprint left by the Spirit's foot, forming a beautiful lake beneath which Reelfoot, his bride, and his people lie buried. Others say the 15,000 acre lake was created by a series of violent earthquakes in 1811-1812 that caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards for a short period of time, creating Reelfoot Lake. Regardless of which story you believe, the park’s ecosystem is a natural wonder. Reelfoot lake is a shallow flooded forest. While majestic cypress trees rise above the water, below the surface are many submerged cypress stumps. A variety of aquatic plants and flowers occupy the shoreline and saturate the shallow water. The lake harbors almost every kind of shore and wading bird as well as golden and American bald eagles. During January and February, Reelfoot Lake is home to thousands of migrating American bald eagles. Warblers migrate through in the spring and fall. Also, owls may frequently be seen and heard. Long Point Unit provides better access for viewing the abundance of waterfowl in winter. Several pairs of Bald Eagles nest around Reelfoot Lake and can be seen year round, which greater numbers in winter. Other wildlife includes migrant warblers, vireos, and flycatchers. Least and yellow-bellied flycatchers are possible in May. Look for Mississippi Kites, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons (in the woods), a possible Anhinga, among other waterbirds. Cerulean and Swainson's Warblers nest here. (From Wikipedia and Tennessee State Parks)

The New Madrid Earthquake

The New Madrid earthquakes were the biggest earthquakes in American history. They occurred in the central Mississippi Valley, but were felt as far away as New York City, Boston, Montreal, and Washington D.C. President James Madison and his wife Dolly felt them in the White House. Church bells rang in Boston. From December 16, 1811 through March of 1812 there were over 2,000 earthquakes in the central Midwest, and between 6,000-10,000 earthquakes in the Bootheel of Missouri where New Madrid is located near the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. In the known history of the world, no other earthquakes have lasted so long or produced so much evidence of damage as the New Madrid earthquakes. Three of the earthquakes are on the list of America’s top earthquakes: the first one on December 16, 1811, a magnitude of 8.1 on the Richter scale; the second on January 23, 1812, at 7.8; and the third on February 7, 1812, at as much as 8.8 magnitude. (From New Madrid Missouri Website)

The Mississippi Ran Backwards: After the February 7 earthquake, boatmen reported that the Mississippi actually ran backwards for several hours. The force of the land upheaval 15 miles south of New Madrid created Reelfoot Lake, drowned the inhabitants of an Indian village; turned the river against itself to flow backwards; devastated thousands of acres of virgin forest; and created two temporary waterfalls in the Mississippi. Boatmen on flatboats actually survived this experience and lived to tell the tale. Earth Cracks: As the general area experienced more than 2,000 earthquakes in five months, people discovered that most of crevices opening up during an earthquake ran from north to south, and when the earth began moving, they would chop down trees in an east- west direction and hold on using the tree as a bridge. There were “missing people” who were most likely swallowed up by the earth. Some earthquake fissures were as long as five miles. Sand Boils: The world’s largest sand boil was created by the New Madrid earthquake. It is 1.4 miles long and 136 acres in extent, located in the Bootheel of Missouri, about eight miles west of Hayti, Missouri. Locals call it “The Beach.” Other, much smaller, sand boils are found throughout the area. Seismic Tar Balls: Small pellets up to golf ball sized tar balls are found in sand boils and fissures. They are petroleum that has been solidified, or “petroliferous nodules.” Earthquake Lights: Lights flashed from the ground, caused by quartz crystals being squeezed. The phenomena is called “seismoluminescence.” Warm Water: Water thrown up by an earthquake was lukewarm. It is speculated that the shaking caused the water to heat up and/or quartz light heated the water. Earthquake Smog: The skies turned dark during the earthquakes, so dark that lighted lamps didn’t help. The air smelled bad, and it was hard to breathe. It is speculated that it was smog containing dust particles caused by the eruption of warm water into cold air. Loud Thunder: Sounds of distant thunder and loud explosions accompanied the earthquakes. Animal Warnings: People reported strange behavior by animals before the earthquakes. They were nervous and excited. Domestic animals became wild, and wild animals became tame. Snakes came out of the ground from hibernation. Flocks of ducks and geese landed near people. (From New Madrid Missouri Website)