IBA reacts to drought’s impact on Mississippi River, government's response
While winter storms brought heavy snow to many parts of the Midwest in December, last summer’s drought continues to negatively impact the Mississippi River, one of the country’s most important means of transporting goods, as well as the nation’s economy and the barging industry.
Due to a lack of rain and snow last year, water levels in some parts of the Mississippi are so close to the minimum needed for water traffic that shippers of grain, coal and other goods are transporting lighter loads and worrying about the possible closure of the river in certain areas, particularly between St. Louis and Cairo, Ill., reportedly the most impacted stretch. The Mississippi River and its tributaries carry goods from a region that produces 90% of U.S. farm exports. In addition, 60% percent of grain exports passing through New Orleans.