The prolonged drought that has plagued the central US and Midwest is now causing a critical issue along the Mississippi River. The river's water levels have reached such a low point that it is unable to generate enough force to push back the encroaching saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico. As a consequence, the quality of drinking water in the surrounding areas is being compromised, posing a serious threat to the local communities.
To combat this problem, the Army Corps of Engineers has been called upon to resupply water treatment plants in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, which have been overwhelmed by the influx of saltwater. The Corps has already constructed a salt sill in the lower part of the river to try and mitigate the issue. Additionally, they are now shipping fresh water from upstream to Plaquemines, located near the mouth of the Mississippi River, where it meets the Gulf. In a recent statement, the Corps revealed that they have already delivered 500,000 gallons of fresh water by barge to the Port Sulphur Water Treatment plant in order to dilute the salinity of the river there.
The drought-induced low water levels are not only affecting the Mississippi River but also its tributaries, such as the Ohio River. In fact, the Ohio River is currently experiencing its low water stage in Cairo, Illinois. According to the US Drought Monitor, nearly 55% of the Midwest and almost 66% of the South are currently facing drought conditions. Louisiana is particularly hard-hit, with over 99% of the state experiencing drought.
The implications of the low water levels extend beyond the threat to drinking water quality. The decreased water levels are also impacting the transportation industry, as barges carrying freight up and down the river have to carry lighter loads. The Mississippi River is a vital route for shipping grains, oil, chemicals, and raw materials, and the decreased cargo capacity is causing disruptions and inefficiencies in the supply chain. In the fall, when many crops are harvested in the central US, river barges are a key mode of transport.
In other weather-related news, Tropical Storm Philippe is expected to brush by the Caribbean Islands of Antigua and Barbuda. The storm, with winds of 50 miles per hour, is currently located 95 miles east-southeast of Barbuda. Meanwhile, Typhoon Koinu is intensifying east of Taiwan and is expected to strike the southern part of the island on October 4-5. With winds potentially reaching 127 miles per hour, Koinu could become a Category 3 major storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. There is also a looming threat of the typhoon hitting China's coastline, including areas such as Shanwei, Shantou, and possibly even Hong Kong.
In Europe, unseasonably warm weather is persisting across many parts of the continent. Madrid, for example, is expected to exceed a maximum temperature of 30C (86F) until Saturday. Similarly, cities like Paris, Berlin, and London are also experiencing higher temperatures than usual during this autumn season, according to Maxar Technologies.