Solutions

As Scarcity Worsens, Mississippi River Users Seek Protective Compact

Looking ahead toward the future for one of the country’s most iconic rivers, officials have taken steps to better protect their local source water as climate change seems poised to present increasing challenges.

“At the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative’s (MRCTI) annual meeting … about 30 mayors unanimously voted in favor of pursuing a compact that would span more than 2,300 miles of river,” the MinnPost reported. “MRCTI’s executive director, Colin Wellenkamp, said a compact among the core states bordering the river would be a way to think about river management at watershed-scale, from the headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, and coordinate during events affecting the whole river, like drought and flooding.”

Urgency around Mississippi River management seems to be building as a result of ongoing drought, which is impacting water systems across the country. Similarly, water managers have raised red flags around dwindling levels for major source bodies like the Potomac River and Colorado River in recent weeks.

As water scarcity plagues the Southwestern U.S. in particular, the compact was likely motivated by fears that attempts to divert Mississippi River water to that dry region could soon impact […]

Full article: www.wateronline.com

Recent Posts

LA River restoration connects us back to ‘the life force of our city’

Los Angeles residents at a section of the Los Angeles River cleanup in Los Angeles,…

2 days ago

LAist: New study raises questions about heavy metals in fire retardants

Over the past decade, about 67 million gallons of fire retardant have been dropped on…

2 days ago

Meadow and watershed restoration in the Golden Trout Wilderness

Photo: Golden Trout Wilderness Seeking blue, seeing gold The Kern Plateau features a chain of…

3 days ago

First sighting of salmon in 100 years marks key milestone for California dam removal

For the first time in more than a century, a salmon was observed swimming through Klamath…

1 week ago

Developing state water roadmaps is essential

New turnout facility from the California Aqueduct on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. Officials say the…

2 weeks ago

Migration Matters: Breaking Down Barriers to Migration

Over the past century, humans have constructed major transportation infrastructure like highways, bridges, railroads, and…

3 weeks ago