The mouth of the Mississippi River is the staging ground for an epic wrestling match between saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico and freshwater from the river. Usually, the Mississippi’s powerful flow keeps the saltwater at bay. However, this year’s drought has weakened the river, allowing saltwater to intrude upstream. This intrusion has already contaminated …
A summer of scorching temperatures and scarce rainfall has created a significant threat to the drinking water supply in New Orleans. In the upcoming weeks, water levels on the Mississippi River are projected to reach record lows for the second consecutive year. This means that saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico, which is typically blocked …
CNN — Officials announced on Friday that the US Army Corps of Engineers intends to transport 36 million gallons of freshwater each day into the lower Mississippi River near New Orleans. This action is being taken in response to the increasing threat of saltwater intrusion from the Gulf of Mexico, which is endangering the region’s …
This story was originally published in High Country News . In the serene community rose garden of Grandview, Washington, Amber Betts witnessed the aftermath of an invasive Japanese beetle infestation. The beetle invasion, which had subsided but not disappeared, showcased a few emerald-hued critters feasting on a delicate rose. The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s …