Latest Mississippi River Delta News: December 18, 2012

A River in Retreat: In Two Weeks, the Mississippi Could Shut Down
By Suzanne Goldberg, The Atlantic. December 17, 2012.
“ST. LOUIS — The Mississippi as seen from Ed Drager’s tug boat is a river in retreat: a giant beached barge is stranded where the water dropped, with sand bars springing into view…” (Read more)

Underwater dam in Mississippi River still protecting New Orleans, Jefferson water supplies from saltwater as drought continues
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). December 17, 2012.
“A $5.8 million underwater barrier completed in mid-September to block the upriver flow of saltwater in the Mississippi River from threatening area water supplies has experienced some erosion but is still doing its job, a spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers said Monday…” (Read more)

Louisiana farmer featured in USDA video about BP Deepwater Horizon-spurred initiative
By Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, The Times-Picayune. December 17, 2012.
“A Louisiana farmer is featured in a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service video highlighting one of many conservation programs spurred by the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster. The video focuses on conserving, or “recycling,” water to help control sediment and nutrient runoff into the Gulf of Mexico…” (Read more)