Old maps and channels:

We start with the 1860 map (Plaintiff's #703) preceding most of the tailings inundation. Township/section intersections are marked in red for reference.

We add some color to highlight the two kinds of river bottom lands. Also blue for the various channels and marshy areas.

Much of the area was subsequently flooded with 15 feet of mine tailing "slickens" (yellow).

Then in 1911 the present levee system was initially developed with the Linda portion extending over the tailings.

Seventy five years later the levee failed.

Old channels lie 15 feet below the ground surface in this area, and also the edge of the lowermost "bottoms". In other words, the levee was extended out over the old "lower bottoms" which was dissected with channel meanders.

A photo of the failure area and the Speckert pit is superimposed on the 1860 map...

...illustrating how old channel features 15 feet below the levee can influence seepage if they are exposed to flood waters and pressures by excavations in the floodplain.