Mississippi River water level inching down

[gulfcoastliberal]

VICKSBURG, Miss. - With every few inches the Mississippi River drops this summer, Billy Joe Ragland and thousands of farmers just like him lose money.

The drought that is causing the Mississippi to dwindle started in the spring of 2005 and hasn't yet loosened its grip.

It's bad enough that the dry conditions are hurting his yields of soybeans, corn and cotton. But now low water is beginning to affect the fragile transportation system relied upon by farmers and factories in America's heartland.

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And hydrologists at the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center expect
the marine highway to continue to drop rapidly. There is no significant rain in the forecast and extreme drought conditions are expected to worsen in the basins of most of the Mississippi's mammoth northern tributaries. One forecast, a 28-day, worst-case scenario based on the unlikely idea that no rain will fall in the basin, calls for the lower Mississippi to drop 2 to 3 feet in most areas. While the river is not at historic lows, it is 8 to 10 feet below normal in most areas. It would take weeks of substantial showers to reverse the trend. Even heavy-water storms lasting a day or two would have little impact on river levels. Drought-stricken vegetation and soils quickly absorb any moisture, leaving little to make the journey down the watershed.

http://pasadenastarnews.com/business/ci_4286867

[Boomer]

1. Kick

Just to make sure all the depressing drought news isn't overlooked.