Current:Home > InvestSalt water wedge in the Mississippi River threatens drinking water in Louisiana-LoTradeCoin
Salt water wedge in the Mississippi River threatens drinking water in Louisiana
View Date:2024-12-23 20:55:49
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Salt water from the Gulf of Mexico is creeping up the drought-stricken Mississippi River and threatening drinking water supplies in some Louisiana communities, including New Orleans, prompting the state’s governor to warn Friday he may request federal help.
Gov. John Bel Edwards said during a news conference that he is just a couple days away from requesting an emergency declaration from the federal government to get more agencies to address the issue and authorize the state “to take emergency protective measures with some level of reimbursement available.”
“Unfortunately, we just haven’t had the relief from dry conditions ... so that (saltwater) intrusion is worsening, in the sense that it’s moving further up the river,” Edwards said.
The southeastern corner of the state, Plaquemines Parish, is already under a drinking water advisory due to high salt levels in the water. Bottled water is being distributed to residents.
Typically, the river’s flow is sufficient to prevent salt water from moving far upstream. But for the second year in a ro w, hot and dry weather has lowered the Mississippi River’s flow, allowing a denser, heavier layer of salt water from the gulf to force its way upstream.
The river is expected to hit historic lows in the next few weeks, Edwards said.
“Most of the state has been experiencing prolonged drought and above-average heat, and has presented a number for challenges including wildfires, drought, heat-related deaths, injuries and so forth and now saltwater intrusion,” Edwards said.
Officials are addressing the issue in multiple ways, including heightening an existing sill — an underwater levee used to block or slow the wedge of salt water — and bringing in 15 million gallons of fresh water for residents in impacted areas.
“We’re being proactive. We’re applying best practices and lessons learned from the past,” Edwards said.
But what is needed most right now is rain. And not just in Louisiana, but further north to strengthen the river’s flow, Edwards said.
The governor urged Louisianans not to panic or rush to buy bottled water. Instead, residents will be notified in advance if salt water will impact their area.
“We just need to make sure that we are aware of the situation and that we don’t do anything that would exacerbate it and do anything that we reasonably can, as soon as we can, to help us get through this period of time,” Edwards said.
veryGood! (5788)
Related
- AP Top 25: Oregon remains No. 1 as Big Ten grabs 4 of top 5 spots; Georgia, Miami out of top 10
- Virgin Galactic's first commercial flight to space is days away from taking off
- Peter Thomas Roth Flash Deal: Get $109 Worth of Hydrating Products for Just $58
- Former Louisiana police officer accused of shooting unarmed Black man faces second criminal charge
- John Krasinski Revealed as People's Sexiest Man Alive 2024
- Iran helping Russia build plant to manufacture drones for likely use in Ukraine, White House says
- Sarah Michelle Gellar Reflects on Being a Gay Icon as Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Pope Francis meets young cancer patients at hospital before his expected discharge after abdominal surgery
- Satellite images and documents indicate China working on nuclear propulsion for new aircraft carrier
- CMT Music Awards 2023 Red Carpet Fashion: See Every Look as the Stars Arrive
Ranking
- Mean Girls’ Lacey Chabert Details “Full Circle” Reunion With Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Seyfried
- Australian Scott White gets 9 years in prison for punching gay American Scott Johnson off Sydney cliff in 1988
- Christina Hall's Husband Josh Hall Pokes Fun at Critics as Couple Celebrates 2 Years Together
- Russian man killed in rare shark attack off Egypt's Red Sea coast
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Mixed Use
- Ariana Madix's Revenge Dress for Vanderpump Rules Reunion Is Hotter Than You Expected
- Police appeal for photos and video after American arrested in fatal attack near German castle
- Zendaya and Tom Holland Touch Down in India Together
Recommendation
-
Rafael dissolves into a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico after hitting Cuba as a hurricane
-
On trip to China, Blinken to raise cases of wrongfully detained Americans with Chinese
-
H.R. McMaster says relationship with China is worse than Cold War between U.S. and Russia
-
Love Is Blind's Irina Apologizes for Her Immature Behavior on the Show
-
Bo the police K-9, who located child taken at knifepoint, wins Hero Dog Awards 2024
-
Ecuadoran woman who knocked on coffin during her own wake has died
-
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused in corruption trial of pushing legislation to help Hollywood friend
-
Gino Mäder, Swiss cyclist, dies at age 26 after Tour de Suisse crash