The high river situation we experienced last year is still happening and may be yet
another one of those new normals you always hear about.
The vulnerabilities of current water management practices on the
Mississippi River were readily apparent in water year 2019, when the
unprecedented amount of water had a variety of effects, including
stressing ecosystems and contributing to shipping accidents and
disruptions. The water level was still elevated in July 2019 when
Hurricane Barry moved into the Gulf and threatened to compound the
situation with storm surge, which could have been catastrophic. The high
water has continued into this year. In fact, as of 28 February, the
Mississippi River had already exceeded the critical 4.6-meter monitoring
threshold on 21 days in water year 2020, compared with 16 days by the
same date in water year 2019. Since 1990, there have been only five
water years (1991, 2005, 2016, 2019, and 2020) with more than 1 day
above the 4.6-meter stage by 28 February. And with extremely high
antecedent soil moisture and abnormally high snowpack throughout the
Missouri River Basin this year, along with record precipitation
regionally, the expectation is for yet more flooding along the lower
Mississippi.
They're already
planning to open the Bonnet Carre this week perhaps. Please do not gather in large groups to watch.
In anticipation of the spillway opening, St. Charles Parish announced
that because of the coronavirus physical distance restrictions, the
Wetland Watchers Park and three spillway boat launches will be closed at
noon Thursday. The opening itself will not be open to the public, and
no access will be provided to the viewing site, officials said.
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