A famous rock formation has become accessible to walkers after water levels in the river surrounding in dropped to record lows.
Tower Rock in Missouri is a geological landmark, usually waterlocked by the swirling currents of the massive Mississippi - but one of worst droughts in living memory has led to the new path.
Taking advantage of the new route, locals and tourists from further afield have been travelling there to walk across to the ex-island.
Missouri resident Jeff Miget said: “The river has dropped low enough that you can walk over to Tower Rock and not get your feet wet or muddy.
“I only remember being able to do this one other time in my life.”
The US Drought Monitor is currently reporting that over half the country is currently experiencing a drought with 'extreme drought' documented in large sections of the Mississippi river basin, which stretches across the centre of the country.
River gauges along the once mighty river are recording record lows.
The Tower Rock formation can be reach when the water level at the Chester river gauge reads 1.5 feet or below. On Thursday it dropped to around zero.
It is believed that the Rock was previously used as a base by pirates who would launch attacks against the shipping passing along this busy freight route.
The levels are getting so low along the river that barges are getting stuck in the shallow water. The coast guard reported that this has caused a 2,000 vessel long traffic jam.
Although providing an exciting opportunity for people hoping to see the rock formation, the danger of water levels not recovering would be felt widely.
The Mississippi Basin produces nearly all of US agricultural exports, and 78 per cent of the global exports of feed grains and soybeans.
Vicksburg, western Mississippi, has seen less than an inch of rain since the start of September.
Mayor George Flaggs, told WAPT-TV that the river was lower than he had seen it in nearly 70 years.
He said: “It’s definitely having an impact on the local economy because the commercial use of this river has almost stopped."
