The year 2023 has witnessed an enduring drought, leading to a substantial reduction in the water levels of the Mississippi River. This prolonged dry spell has disrupted transportation, elevated shipping costs, and posed a significant threat to the freshwater supply in Louisiana.
In September, the dwindling water levels posed formidable challenges for shipping operations along the river and facilitated the intrusion of saltwater into upstream areas. The relentless combination of excessive heat and drought during the summer and early autumn of 2023 parched the Mississippi River, causing concern, particularly in certain Louisiana communities, where the availability of drinking water became precarious, as reported by the Associated Press.
Notably, the region near Memphis, Tennessee, experienced an alarming drop in water levels. Visual comparisons between satellite images of the Mississippi River near Memphis on September 16, 2023 (upper image), and September 10, 2021 (lower image), reveal a stark contrast, with the river noticeably contracting in 2023, exposing its riverbed.
This marks the second consecutive year in which drought has driven the river to near-record lows at numerous measuring points. On September 26, 2023, the river level at a gauge in Memphis registered at -10.26 feet, closely approaching the record low level of -10.81 feet recorded at the same location on October 21, 2022. This alarming decline constitutes the lowest recorded level since the inception of National Weather Service records in 1954. It is important to note that water levels, or “gauge heights,” are measured relative to a chosen reference point and may yield negative measurements in certain cases.
Further upstream, water levels in New Madrid, Missouri, have remained around -5 feet, approaching the minimum operational threshold, since early September 2023. Normally, water levels in the Mississippi decrease during the fall and winter seasons; however, in 2022, such low levels were not reached until mid-October.
The primary catalyst for this substantial reduction in water levels in 2023 was a scorching and arid summer. Globally, summer temperatures in 2023 exceeded the average by 1.2°C (2.1°F). In the United States, Louisiana and Mississippi recorded their hottest August temperatures on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The U.S. Drought Monitor map for the week of September 20-26, 2023, offers a visual representation of the drought conditions. Produced through a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NOAA, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, this map employs shades of orange to red to illustrate varying levels of drought intensity. It draws upon climate, soil, and water condition data from a network of more than 350 federal, state, and local observers nationwide, with contributions from NASA providing valuable measurements and models to aid in drought monitoring efforts.
During that particular week, nearly 38 percent of the contiguous United States was grappling with drought conditions. The persistent lack of precipitation coupled with elevated temperatures over several months had severely desiccated soils in states along the Mississippi River Valley. As of September 24, the Drought Monitor reported that a staggering 80 percent of Louisiana’s soils were classified as dry, with an insufficient water supply. Furthermore, in most states within the river valley, over 50 percent of topsoil exhibited dry or very dry conditions.
The shallow conditions along the river disrupted the customary flow of goods. The Associated Press reported that barge companies were compelled to reduce cargo weights in September due to inadequate river depth to support their typical loads. A substantial portion of U.S. grain exports relies on transportation along the Mississippi, and as per the AP, the cost of such shipments from St. Louis southward surged 77 percent above the three-year average.
The absence of freshwater entering the Gulf of Mexico also permitted saltwater intrusion into the river, affecting certain water treatment facilities in southern Louisiana. Some areas in Plaquemines Parish were placed under drinking water advisories and have relied on bottled water for both cooking and consumption since June.
To alleviate the intrusion of saltwater in the Plaquemines region, a substantial amount of rainfall would be required. However, the outlook, as projected by the National Weather Service’s Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center, does not appear promising. If sufficient rainfall does not materialize before mid-to-late October, the encroachment of saltwater could extend to New Orleans.
These circumstances, shaped by a confluence of natural factors, underscore the profound impact of climate conditions on vital waterways and necessitate continued vigilance and adaptive measures in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mississippi River Drought
What caused the low water levels in the Mississippi River in 2023?
The low water levels in the Mississippi River in 2023 were primarily caused by a combination of excessive heat and a prolonged drought during the summer and early fall of that year. This scorching and arid weather led to a substantial reduction in the river’s water levels.
How did the low water levels impact shipping?
The low water levels disrupted shipping operations along the Mississippi River. Barge companies were forced to reduce cargo weights in September 2023 because the river wasn’t deep enough to support their typical loads. This disruption resulted in increased shipping costs, particularly for U.S. grain exports, which rely heavily on transportation via the Mississippi.
What were the consequences of saltwater intrusion into the river?
The lack of freshwater flowing into the Gulf of Mexico allowed saltwater to make its way up the river. This saltwater intrusion affected some water treatment plants in southern Louisiana. As a result, certain areas, like Plaquemines Parish, were placed under drinking water advisories, and residents had to rely on bottled water for cooking and drinking.
How did this drought compare to previous years?
This drought in 2023 marked the second consecutive year in which the Mississippi River fell to near-record lows at various measuring points. In fact, in some locations, the river reached its lowest recorded levels since the start of National Weather Service records in 1954.
What factors contributed to this drought?
The main factors contributing to the drought were a hot and dry summer in 2023. Globally, temperatures during that summer exceeded the average by 1.2°C (2.1°F). In the United States, Louisiana and Mississippi experienced their hottest Augusts on record, according to NOAA.
What is the outlook for the situation?
The outlook for the situation is not promising in terms of rainfall. If sufficient rainfall does not arrive before mid-to-late October, there is a risk that saltwater intrusion could extend further into the river, potentially affecting areas like New Orleans. The ongoing drought conditions underscore the need for continued vigilance and adaptive measures in response to environmental challenges.
More about Mississippi River Drought
- Associated Press Report on Mississippi River Drought
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Records
- U.S. Drought Monitor
- National Weather Service
- NASA Earth Observatory
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Drought Monitoring
- Louisiana Water Management
- Plaquemines Parish
