Photos show what Tower Rock, a limestone formation in the middle of the Mississippi River, looks like before and after severe drought dropped water levels

• Tower Rock is located in the middle of the Mississippi River.

• The destination has become popular with tourists, according to the department.

• Climate change is believed to be behind the historic low levels of the Mississippi River.

The Mississippi River's historic low levels have made Tower Rock a popular visitor destination.

Tower Rock is usually only accessible by boat, but has become a place for tourists to go and take a closer look.

The rock, which sticks out 60 feet above normal water levels, is only accessible by foot when the water level is less than 1.5 feet.

It is possible that the outcrop will become accessible once again. The Chester gauge is expected to rise by 3.5 feet this weekend.

—MO Conservation (@MDC_online) October 21, 2022

The dry weather has attracted many visitors to the area over the past few weeks, according to the regional administrator.

Visitors shouldn't climb Tower Rock and observers shouldn't walk out on the river bed if they're not careful, according to Bowyer.

He said that the Mississippi River is a very dangerous waterbody. Use caution, please." Pack what you need in. Litter should not be left behind.

In 1970, Tower Rock was added to the national register of historic places.

Despite the flooding of the Mississippi River, the Midwest is currently in a period of moderate to abnormal dry weather. The region, including the Ohio River and the Upper Mississippi River valleys, has not received enough rain.

Scientists predict that climate change will create more unpredictable weather events.

Over the last 10 years, Tower Rock has become accessible by foot a few times.

Being able to walk to Tower Rock may become more common due to the recent dry spell.

The director at American Rivers said that this is the new normal. Climate models have predicted that this region will be prone to very long and dramatic droughts that will be accompanied by extreme fluctuations and flooding.

Insider didn't get a response from the Missouri Department ofConservation.

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