mississippi river

Top Tweets
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.
An NOAA truck with a weather satellite on the back.
Courtroom with a jury box and judge's bench.
Wind turbines in grass field during golden hour.
Newsletter
Low water levels disrupt transportation on the Mississippi River

Low water levels disrupt transportation on the Mississippi River

For the third consecutive year, drought in the Midwest is driving down water levels in the Mississippi River, hampering the transport of fuel and grain and pushing businesses to find alternatives.

Kristoffer Tigue reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

  • Drought conditions in the Midwest have lowered Mississippi River water levels since mid-July, causing transportation delays and increased costs for goods like grain and fuel.
  • Barge operators are facing rising costs, with barge rates increasing by 57% compared to the three-year average, leading to higher shipping expenses for businesses.
  • Climate scientists warn that alternating wet and dry conditions may become more common as climate change affects regional weather patterns.

Key quote:

“This was front and center for us. One of the main things that we talked about were these rapid oscillations … between wet to dry and dry to wet extremes..”

— Aaron Wilson, Ohio’s state climatologist and a professor at Ohio State University

Why this matters:

The Mississippi River plays a crucial role in U.S. agricultural exports. Prolonged disruptions could hurt U.S. farmers, especially soy growers, and allow foreign competitors to gain an advantage in the global market.

Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Mississippi River's low water levels hurt farmers shipping grain

Mississippi River's low water levels hurt farmers shipping grain

For the third year in a row, unusually low water levels in the Mississippi River are causing barge companies to limit their cargo, reducing farmers' profits as they ship grain to international buyers.

Jim Salter reports for The Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
Judge limits EPA regs in La. minority, low-income areas
Photo by ADIGUN AMPA on Unsplash

Judge limits EPA regs in La. minority, low-income areas

A federal judge in Lake Charles has at least temporarily blocked the Environmental Protection Agency from enforcing so-called "disparate impact" rules in Louisiana that require industries to reduce toxic pollutants in minority and low-income areas, such as the so-called "Cancer Alley" region along the Mississippi River.

Kitchen faucet
Image by Ron Porter from Pixabay

Salt continues slow contamination of Baton Rouge fresh water

The saltwater wedge moving up the Mississippi River has cities downriver of Baton Rouge on high alert to keep supplied with fresh drinking water.

mississippi river climate

Listen: Mississippi River infrastructure needs and climate change

Lock and dam infrastructure on the Mississippi River is in desperate need of improvements. But some say before that investment is made, studies should be done to determine the effect it has on climate change.

Newsletter
mississippi river new orleans salt
Image by Gregory Waddell from Pixabay

New Orleans declares emergency over saltwater intrusion in drinking water

New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell signed an emergency declaration for the city last week amid concerns about saltwater from the the Gulf of Mexico that has been creeping up the drought-hit Mississippi River in Louisiana.

ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE