mississippi river

Where Does The Mississippi River Set Down Its Mud?

Eve Troeh and Bob Marshall — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:09:06 +0000

In a new story out in The Lens today, environmental reporter Bob Marshall delves into an ongoing study about Mississippi River sediment, and its ability to rebuild the coast. Government agencies and scientists have some new ideas about how much mud and sand the Mississippi River deposits along the Louisiana coast before it flows out to the Intercontinental Shelf.

Mississippi River's Many 'Parents' Look To Unify

David Schaper — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:53:25 +0000

Life on the Mississippi River is a roller coaster of highs and lows: record high floodwaters one year, a drought and near-record low water levels the next.

Port of New Orleans Expects Normal Operations During High Water Levels

Eileen Fleming — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Communities to the north are dealing with flooding from the swollen Mississippi River. But the Port of New Orleans is not expecting any interruption of shipping traffic.

New Science Shows Mississippi River Water Could Kill Marshes, Not Grow Them

Eve Troeh — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 06:00:00 +0000

The centerpiece of Louisiana's Master Plan to stem coastal erosion is this: divert the Mississippi River to let it flow over the marsh. Sediment in the river is supposed to stick and build up the wetlands, keeping more Louisiana land above water as sea levels rise.

But as The Lens' Bob Marshall explores in this new report, the river does not only carry sediment.

Drought Causes Ripple Effect Along Mighty Mississippi River

Debbie Elliott — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:23:43 +0000

The persistent drought is raising questions about how the Mississippi River is managed — both upstream and down.

While cargo traffic upriver has gotten lots of attention, the drought is creating a different set of problems downriver at the mouth of the Mississippi, where saltwater has encroached.

An old-fashioned staff river gauge behind the New Orleans district office of the U.S.

Mississippi Blues: When The River Doesn't Run

editor — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:48:00 +0000

The Mississippi River has provided George Foster with a living all his life. Now, with the river dropping to historically low levels, it's threatening to take his business down with it.

Foster's office sits atop an empty barge on the river, just south of St. Louis. His building tilts at a 30-degree angle because the water is so low.

Port of New Orleans Unaffected By Low Mississippi River Levels

Eileen Fleming — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The Port of New Orleans is keeping a close eye on Mississippi River drought conditions to the north. So far, the port is conducting business as usual.

President Obama Nominates UNO Professor To Serve On Mississippi River Panel

Eileen Fleming — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:20:20 +0000

University of New Orleans professor Norma Jean Mattei chairs the university's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She has studied flood-prone areas of the city, and knows the importance of the Mississippi River — for everything from flood protection to commerce and the environment.

Which is why President Barack Obama has nominated her to join the Mississippi River Commission.

Wetlands Group Lobbies For Uniting Mississippi River Interests

Eileen Fleming — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 11:00:00 +0000

An environmental group that’s been studying Gulf Coast wetlands for the past decade is shifting its attention north. The America’s Wetland Foundation is focusing on the source of delta construction: the Mississippi River. The new project is called The Big River Works.

Cramond picked to lead river pilots

The Associated Press — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:35:39 +0000

Capt. James "Jimmy" Cramond has been elected president of the Crescent River Port Pilots' Association.

Cramond is Coast Guard-licensed as a master of steam or motor vessels for inland waters. He replaces Capt. Allen J. Gibbs, who served as president for the past 11 years.