Cause of Mississippi River Flooding in Louisiana
Louisiana’s historic flooding originates from a variety of sources, including storms, rising seas, and the Mississippi River. The most devastating floods are triggered by massive rainstorms, such as Hurricane Katrina and the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. Rising sea levels and extreme weather events have the potential to cause further flooding. The Mississippi River is the biggest contributor to flooding in Louisiana, especially when the snowmelt in the Midwest and heavy rains along the river cause high-water levels. The record-breaking high levels of the Mississippi River have been breaking records since 2017 and are expected to continue.
The recent surge of flooding in Louisiana is a direct result of the massive amounts of rain dumped into the Mississippi River by winter storm Harvey in August 2017. The river water levels then stayed high, exceeding flood stage in some areas, with further heavy rain and snowmelt causing high water levels throughout the season. The result is flooding at the scale of historic proportions. By December 2017, the high water levels of the Mississippi River had stretched from Illinois to Louisiana.
The effects of the flooding have been devastating for residents of Louisiana, with homes and businesses submerged in water and families left homeless. Hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland have been destroyed and the state’s agricultural production and economy have been badly affected.
Man-made Causes of Mississippi River Flooding in Louisiana
The Mississippi River has historically flooded in Louisiana due to natural causes such as heavy rains, snowmelt and rising sea levels. However, there are also man-made causes that can contribute to flooding in the state, such as increased development along the river. As more and more homes, businesses and industries are built along the river, it reduces the amount of land available for water to flow over or drain into. This can cause serious flooding when the river swells, as the water has nowhere to go. Another man-made cause is damming. Dams on the Mississippi River are used to regulate the flow of the river and can exacerbate flooding when the water is diverted from one area to another and there is nowhere for it to go.
In addition to increased development and damming, a contributing factor to the flooding in the Mississippi River is a phenomena known as leveeing. Levees are created to try and prevent flooding and are made of earthworks built around rivers. However, a levee can actually increase the speed of the water and cause it to overtop onto surrounding lands.
Effects of Mississippi River Flooding in Louisiana
The effects of flooding in Louisiana can be devastating. When the Mississippi River overflows, it can inundate homes, businesses and agricultural land, leading to displacement, loss of livelihoods and damage to property. The flooding can also lead to disease, as bacteria and other contaminants in the water can make people sick. The river can also carry dangerous creatures into people’s homes, such as alligators and snakes.
In addition to the human costs, Mississippi River flooding can also have significant environmental impacts. The waterlogged agricultural land can be left barren, leading to a loss of wildlife habitat. The flooding also carries sediment, debris and other pollutants downstream, polluting the water and damaging sensitive ecosystems.
Preventative Strategies to Reduce Mississippi River Flooding in Louisiana
There are a number of strategies that can be implemented to reduce the risk of flooding from the Mississippi River in Louisiana. These strategies can range from small-scale solutions such as installing sump pumps and drainage systems in homes and businesses, to large-scale projects such as constructing flood walls and levees. There is also the option of using wetland restoration and flood plain management, which can slow the flow of water during periods of high water levels.
In addition to these preventative strategies, officials can also take steps to reduce the potential impacts of flooding. For example, they can encourage homeowners and businesses in vulnerable areas to install flood-proofing measures such as retrofitting, flood barriers or elevating structures above the potential flood zone. They can also provide financial incentives or assistance programs to help people make the necessary changes.
Expert Opinion on Mississippi River Flooding in Louisiana
Experts cite many factors behind the increased flooding of the Mississippi River in Louisiana, from heavy rains and snowmelt to increased development and damming of the river. However, they agree that the best solution is to adopt preventative strategies to minimize the impacts of the flooding. According to Swain Langmaid, an environmental engineer from Louisiana, “The best way to reduce the impacts of flooding is to implement prevention strategies such as wetland restoration, floodplain management, and homeowners and businesses implementing flood-proofing adaptations.”
John White, Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, agrees that mitigation is the best solution. He states, “The most effective way to reduce flooding is through mitigation, which means we need to identify vulnerable areas and find ways to protect them from flooding.” White recommends that people in vulnerable areas should elevate their homes, improve sump pumps and drainage systems, and even consider relocating when necessary.
Education and Community Outreach on Mississippi River Flooding in Louisiana
In order to effectively address the issue of Mississippi River flooding in Louisiana, it is important that the community be informed and educated on the risks posed by flooding and what preventative measures they can take. This includes raising awareness through public education campaigns and providing resources and assistance programs to those in need. It is also important that officials and experts work with local communities to identify vulnerable areas and design strategies to reduce the risk.
In addition to local-level efforts, it is also important to raise awareness on a national level. This includes making sure that the government has adequate funding to implement flood prevention and mitigation projects and pressuring insurance companies to provide reasonable coverage to those in flooded areas.
Economical Implications of Mississippi River Flooding in Louisiana
The economic repercussions of Mississippi River flooding in Louisiana can be extensive and long-lasting. Businesses in the affected areas can suffer major losses, as flooding can cause significant damage to property and equipment. In addition, the decrease in agricultural productivity can lead to higher food prices and increased poverty levels. Furthermore, government funding for flood control measures can put a strain on state and local budgets.
However, there are also some economic benefits to flooding. For instance, the construction of dams and levees to divert flood waters and protect coastal cities can create jobs and boost the local economy. In addition, floods can deposit fertile soil, which can increase agricultural productivity. Flooding can also lead to the formation of new recreational areas, such as wetlands and swamps, which can attract tourists.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River is the biggest contributor to flooding in Louisiana, with the record-breaking high levels of the river stretching from Illinois to Louisiana. This flooding has serious implications for the state, with hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland destroyed and thousands of families left homeless. There are a number of strategies that can be implemented to reduce the risk of flooding, such as installing sump pumps and drainage systems in homes and businesses, constructing flood walls and levees, and using wetland restoration and flood plain management. It is also important to educate the community on the risks posed by flooding and provide resources and assistance programs to those in need. Even though the economic repercussions of flooding can be severe, there are also some economic benefits to flooding that can benefit the state.
