What was the ultimate goal of Eads' work on the Mississippi River?

The ultimate goal of Eads' work on the Mississippi River focused on enabling safe navigation. Eads was primarily concerned with addressing the difficult conditions that made it hazardous for vessels to navigate the river, especially in its lower stretches. He developed the jetty system, which was designed to stabilize the river’s channel and direct its flow, thereby reducing the sedimentation that could obstruct navigation. This engineering achievement allowed for larger ships to travel safely without the risk of running aground or encountering other navigational hazards.

While improving tourism, obstructing challenges, and establishing new trade routes could be seen as ancillary benefits or potential outcomes of more effective navigation, the central aim remained ensuring that the river could be traversed safely for shipping and transportation. Hence, the emphasis was on enhancing navigational safety rather than solely fostering tourism or creating new routes.