The Current State of the Mississippi in Louisiana
The Mississippi River has been a treasured natural resource for Louisiana for centuries, connecting the state’s geography, economies, and cultures. In the current climate of climate change, the Mississippi River has felt the effects of increasing drought, with the latest being record-breaking low river levels.
Recent years showed the Mississippi River’s dip to its lowest point in history, a decrease of 27 feet from its average pool. This culminated in the USACE, or US Army Corps of Engineers, having to declare their equivalent of an emergency in order to reallocate resources to mitigate the negative effects of low river levels.
As the drought reaches a critical stage, the risk of an ecological disaster looms. Many wildlife and plant species are either left without food sources or forced to seek them elsewhere; as a result, a fragile ecosystem can possibly be further disrupted.
The problem has spanned beyond the environment, however; fishermen, pleasure-boaters, and other such units rely on the river as a part of their livelihood. Without access to the river, supply trucks and other vehicles are left unable to navigate many of the counties, which affects the state’s economy.
While the drought has created long-reaching macroeconomic implications throughout Louisiana, with forecasted market drops, there are also micro-level effects that are felt most drastically. A decrease in pool levels affect transportation and levee operation, which leads to high maintenance costs to affected areas.
Furthermore, with the high cost of dealing with low river levels, the local governments will no doubt take the brunt of such losses. In some cases, this can extend to the state itself, which could become liable for billions of dollars to build out infrastructure in the event that the river becomes too low and threatens private property.
The consequences of a low Mississippi River have led a broad coalition of government and non-government organizations to look more closely at the characteristics of the river. The data from multiple government sources, reported on in 2018 by Louisiana Sea Grant, show an average drop of 57 feet from its original pool level since records were kept, primarily due to natural climatic variations.
Solutions for managing the Mississippi’s low pool levels include conservation, environmental protection and restoration, legislation, and sustainable engineering. Organizations such as the Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee are seeking to restore 450,000 acres of wetlands by proposing comprehensive strategies such as the Restore the Mississippi Delta program.
Standard Solutions to Combat Low Mississippi Levels
Common solutions to the problem of low river levels are conservation, environment protection and restoration, legislation, and sustainable engineering.
In terms of legislation, the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 declares that the Mississippi River is a navigable body of water, which means it is subject to federal regulations. This means that the USACE can take steps to implement operations in order to mitigate damage, such as dredging and channel maintenance.
Conservation efforts, including the use of new irrigation and water-saving technologies, combined with the decreasing levels of nitrate contaminants in the river each year, are proving to be effective in restoring the river’s environment. The Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee is working to restore 450,000 acres of wetlands by implementing the Restore the Mississippi Delta program.
The restoration and rehabilitation of wetlands, constructed wetlands, and other sustainable engineering projects are also integral in preserving the river ecosystems. The American Rivers organization is leading the charge on this front, laying out a plan of action with the passage of the Rivers and Harbors Act in 1947 to improve, enhance, and protect the wetlands.
These solutions have been met with mixed success but have gone a long way in terms of preserving the environment and the livelihoods of the people dependent on the Mississippi’s resources.
The Human and Environmental Effects of Low River Levels
With the decline of the Mississippi River’s levels, it is no surprise that the human and environmental effects have been far-reaching. Among the most affected are the communities dependent on the river for their livelihoods.
Fishermen and other river traders are struggling as a result of the low water levels. Due to the current drought and decreasing levels, the fish population is faced with an uncertain future. The slow-moving nature of the Mississippi means that the fish populations, already struggling due to the nitrate levels in the water, cannot spawn and reproduce at an adequate rate.
The lack of water also has had an adverse effect on the environment. Without being able to flow at a normal rate, the river carries more pollutants and fertilizers, leading to fertility problems in the delta areas. This problem is further accentuated by the impervious levees lining the Mississippi, trapping more pollutants and causing further disturbances in the river’s ecosystem.
Additionally, low river levels cause a disruption in the natural habitats of turtles, wading birds, and other species that are reliant on the Mississippi River’s waters and tributaries. species are not able to lay their eggs near the normal pools and must adapt to a vigorously changing environment.
The repercussions of these low river levels can be felt beyond Louisiana’s borders, as several US states are affected when the Mississippi River fails to reach its full potential.
Restoration and Mitigation Strategies
Restoration and mitigation strategies can go a long way in addressing long-term problems posed by the low river levels.
One such example is the mitigation of flooding downstream. As the river’s natural flow is blocked by artificial barriers, such as levees, it is important for the USACE and other organizations to actively address alternative ways to reduce flooding along the river.
Another strategy that is gaining traction is restoring the wetlands that have been damaged by the decrease in river levels. The USACE is now reconsidering its previous plans to preserve wetlands due to the constraints that lower levels pose on the environment, a trend that is being adopted by multiple stakeholders.
Furthermore, the Louisiana government has taken its own steps in attempting to mitigate the problem. As the Mississippi River is a federally controlled navigable waterway, the state has taken steps to install its own pumping stations, gates, and drainage systems to protect the towns and cities directly along the river.
Finally, the USACE is doing its utmost to work with commercial operators on the Mississippi regarding the restrictions being placed on the river’s navigation. By actively engaging with operators, the USACE is attempting to come to a compromise that would help alleviate financial burden while also protecting the river’s ecosystem.
Short and Long-term Solutions
Short-term solutions, such as the pumping systems, gates, and levees, are instrumental in providing immediate assistance in the event of a drought. However, long-term solutions are necessary in order to prevent further environmental damage.
The USACE is leading the charge in the long-term strategy, proposing regulation frameworks and modern engineering projects that promote conservation among the general public. The goal is to promote efficient usage of the river’s resources via introducing caps on fishing, boating, and other public activities.
The USACE is also investing heavily in cutting-edge projects that seek to minimize losses to the private sector, such as restoring and maintaining the levee infrastructure, and investing in better forecasting technology.
Environmental initiatives, such as restoring habitats and aging wetlands, are key components of the USACE’s long-term plan. The goal is to create a strong recovery plan that minimizes losses while keeping the delicate ecosystems thriving.
At the crux of the long-term plan lies the idea of maintaining the navigation of the Mississippi without sacrificing its ecological importance. By investing in better technology, and engaging with the stakeholders of the river’s resources, the USACE is determined to ensure that the Mississippi River remains a vital artery throughout the years.
Analyzing the Mississippi’s Future
The USACE and other organizations are committed to safeguarding the future of the Mississippi River and the environment it supports, but the situation still remains uncertain and complex. The near future will be critical in helping to define the river’s fate.
From the perspective of environmental organizations and activists, the most pressing concern is to preserve the fragile ecosystems of the wetlands that have been affected by the changes in the river. To achieve this, stronger laws and better enforcement of them are needed to protect the resources that are dependent on the river.
From the viewpoint of commercial operators, a solution that meets the needs of everyone must be achieved in order to maximize the use of the river, while still ensuring the river’s preservation. Finding the right combination of legislature, engineering, and public policy is key in finding the best solution.
Ultimately, the determinants of the Mississippi’s future are in the hands of the people who are reliant on the river and the environment it supports. With a decisive effort and the right steps, the Mississippi’s future can be preserved for years to come.
