The Mississippi River Commission will conduct its annual low-water inspection trip on the Mississippi and Atchafalya Rivers Aug. 26-30.

The first of four public meetings will be held at Tiptonville, Tenn., at Old Ferry Landing, starting at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 26. Other meetings are scheduled at Tom Sawyer's Mississippi River RV Park at West Memphis, Tenn., 9 a.m., Aug. 27; Greenville, Miss., at the Corps bank grading and mat loading facility, 8:30 a.m., Aug. 28; and at Morgan City, La. at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 30.

A number of Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois representatives will be on hand for the Tiptonville hearing.

The 1995 high-water inspection tour started at Cape Girardeau in 1995.

Brig. Gen. Robert B. Flowers, commander of the Lower Mississippi Valley Division and designated president of the Mississippi River Commission, will issue a "State of the Valley" report at each site. District engineers will report on the Mississippi River and Tributaries Projects in their respective districts.

The MRC, organized in 1879, is composed of seven members, each nominated by the President of the United States, and confirmed by the Senate.

General duties of the commission include recommendation of policy and work programs and other activities of the MRC from Cape Girardeau, Mo., to the Gulf of Mexico.

The commission usually inspects the river and holds public meetings twice each year, in the spring during high water, and in late summer or early fall during low water.