Mississippi River Flooding
We think the Corps should operate the ORCC to increase the discharge as the river rises — and that Congress should authorize this. Now. This would lower flood crests, make floods shorter, and reduce the risk of levee failure — and a course change. It would also reduce batture and backwater flooding and the resulting economic and environmental damage on some 1.5 million acres in Mississippi and Louisiana. Time to change the flood control plan – before it’s too late.
Featured Work
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE: Part 2
The batture lands along the river are a harbinger of a changing river that is less and less under control of the Army Corps of Engineers.
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE: Part 1
In 2020, it’s the Pearl River flooding the Jackson Metro area and downstream. The Big Black is flooding as well as lower stretches of the Mississippi River. In 2019, it was the Yazoo River flooding the Lower Mississippi Delta, as well as flooding along the Missouri and Lower Mississippi Rivers.
Photo Credit: Clarion Ledger
Mississippi River Flooding Lawsuit Against Corps of Engineers Moves Forward
The Mississippi River flooding lawsuit against the Corps of Engineers will move forward after the Honorable Elaine Kaplan ruled against their Motion to Dismiss directly from the bench the day of the hearing in Natchez.
Mississippi River Commission Testimony: MDAC Commissioner Andy Gipson in Vicksburg August 2019
The 2019 flood has had a tremendous impact on Mississippi’s agricultural industry. Mississippi’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce – Andy Gipson presents the losses before the Mississippi River Commission.
Mississippi River Commission Testimony: Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann in Vicksburg August 2019
Concerns about the detrimental effects occurring in the Mississippi Sound due to the freshwater intrusion from opening the Bonnet Carré Spillway this year coupled with the USACE’s decision to not open the Morganza Floodway prompts Secretary Hosemann to urge the Corps. of Engineers to find alternatives to the current operation.
2019 Mississippi River Flood: One for the Records
If there were a Hall of Infamy for Mississippi River Floods, 2019 would certainly be the in the top 1 or 2 of the past century. Thankfully, most of the levee system held so 2019 was perhaps not as dramatic as 1927 but damage was widespread and extensive. Higher water for longer equals higher odds of greater damage and loss in the future.