| The park landscape is a testimonial to the wide
variety of historic military operations. It features nine historic earthen forts,
numerous gun emplacements, over twenty miles of reconstructed trenches, approaches, and
parallels, the last remaining section of Grant's Canal,
and the Vicksburg National Cemetery with over 18,000
interments, giving it the distinction of having the largest number of Civil War
burials of any cemetery in the United States. By the 1930's, erosion
was threatening the very fabric of the park. The lack of adequate vegetative cover
left the Loess soil exposed and vulnerable to runoff from heavy rains. Loess soil is
a fine-grained, wind blown sediment. It is an extremely fertile loam soil which is
highly susceptible to erosion when exposed to flowing water. It literally melts like
butter and is easily washed away. The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) was
called upon to plant trees on the steep slopes and in the ravines. Over the years
the trees have grown into a dense forest which is present today.
Maintenance and resource protection efforts are focused on restoring and maintaining the historic scene. It
requires a committment of resources, time and personnel to prevent damage from natural
forces such as erosion, exotic species and limit human threats
including vandalism, looting (relic hunting), and urban encroachment. |
Maintaining the Historic Scene
Erosion Control and Prevention
Controlling Exotic Species
Kudzu Management
Prescribed Fire
Restoring the historic landscape
|
