MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI IS CALM A YEAR AFTER RECORD FLOODING

Another reason to be celebrating right now is as close as the Mississippi River. A year ago the mighty waterway was slowing receding from its record flood crest in August. This week, the river is some 20 feet below flood stage.

The low river level is due, in part, to below-average rainfall for the past few months over a widespread area that drains into the Mississippi. The ground is dry and ready to soak up heavy rains, if they occur. And reservoirs throughout the Midwest are at low enough levels that they could store large quantities of water if heavy rains start up again.

The low rainfall and drained-down lakes aren't the only good news. There were many lessons learned in last year's floods, and the education of a massive inundation hasn't been lost on the folks who prepare for emergencies. Should another year of deluge occur, there will be a wealth of experience to guide decision-making.

That is the good news.

It remains a fact that humankind can, through grandiose engineering feats, control Mother Nature -- up to a point. It also is a fact that natural forces can overwhelm dams and levees with what appears to be complete whimsy. This is the first lesson to be remembered from the 1993 flood.