Are you aware that Mississippi, one of the largest and most prominent rivers in the United States, is slowly drying up? This isn't just a natural occurrence or a result of a changing climate, there's an even bigger reason behind this phenomenon that is guaranteed to blow your mind!
There is currently a drought affecting approximately sixty percent of the states in the northern Great Plains and the Midwest. Over the course of the past two months, precipitation levels have been significantly lower than average along almost the entire length of the Mississippi River, from its source in Minnesota to its terminus in Louisiana.
Because of this, the water levels in the river have dropped to levels that are almost at record lows, which has hampered the movement of ships and barges, which is essential for transporting recently harvested agricultural goods such as corn and soybeans further downriver for the purpose of export.
Even though climate change is said to be driving up temperatures and increasing the frequency and severity of droughts, a weather expert claims that the most recent drought that has been affecting the central United States is more likely just a short-term weather phenomenon.
The absence of rain has had a significant negative impact on business. According to estimates provided by the industry and cited by the government, the river transports more than half of all grain that is exported from the United States.
However, the drought has caused a reduction in the flow of goods of approximately 45 percent. The costs of shipping goods by rail, an alternative to transporting goods by barge, have also increased. According to Mike Doherty, a senior economist with the Illinois Farm Bureau, It just means lower income, basically.
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The Upper Mississippi River area is experiencing generally wetter circumstances as a result of climate change. But, in the most recent months, lower water levels have exposed portions of the region that are often inaccessible.
Tower Rock is a prominent formation located approximately 160 kilometers southeast of St. Louis. Over the course of the past weekend, thousands of tourists walked across a riverbed that is normally submerged to reach Tower Rock.
Since 2012, this is the first time that people have been able to make the journey without risking getting wet. Four-wheeler tracks can be seen winding their way across vast swaths of exposed riverbed near the state line between Tennessee and Missouri, where the river is about 0.5 miles wide.
Recently, the area got some rain, which came as a welcome relief from the dry weather that had been prevalent. According to Kai Roth of the Lower Mississippi River Prediction Center, It is sort of taking the edge off the agony of the low water, but it is not going to entirely erase it, and he said that the river needs multiple rounds of good, soaking rain.
There is a possibility that the barges may go aground and get mired in the muck. The United States Coast Guard said earlier this month that there had been at least eight incidents of this kind.
Some barges do not get mired in the mud even when they contact the bottom. Others need the assistance of salvage businesses to get back on their feet.
It is recommended that barges lower their cargoes in order to prevent them from sinking too far into the water; nevertheless, this will result in a reduction in the amount of products that they are able to transport.
Federal authorities have frequent meetings, take into account the depth of the river, and engage in conversation with members of the shipping sector to establish local closures and traffic limits.
This helps to guarantee that boats are able to navigate the waterways in a secure manner. When a section of the river is stopped for maintenance, there may be hundreds of barges waiting in line.
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