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SALTWATER WEDGE INFORMATION
The Mississippi River's volume of water flow has fallen to a level that allows saltwater to intrude upstream into the Mississippi River above the Head of Passes. The intrusion of saltwater upstream into the Mississippi River is a naturally occurring periodic condition. The river's bottom profile is deeper that the Gulf of Mexico water surface level up to about 15 miles downstream of Natchez, Mississippi. Denser saltwater flows upstream along the bottom of the river underneather the less dense fresh river water. Saltwater's upriver travel can affect municipal drinking water and industrial water supplies.
- The Corps has awarded the contract for construction of an underwater barrier sill at approximately mile 64 above Head of Passes. Physical construction of the sill should begin on August 15.
- The beneficial effects of the sill are expected to begin within two weeks of initial construction.
- We will continue to work with the Coast Guard and the navigation industry to reduce impacts during construction.
- The Corps will continue to work closely with local governments and municipalities to ensure the integrity of their water supply.
- The underwater sill has been created twice before, first in 1988 and again in 1999. On both occasions, the sill performed as design
Construction of the saltwater barrier sill is underway and is approximately 50% completed. The progress of the sill construction is already impeding the saltwater wedge's ability to advance further upstream. Based on the current forecast we do not expect the toe of the wedge to advance beyond its current location just below River Mile 90.
Overview of the saltwater wedge
Where is the saltwater wedge now?
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Decision Letter for Mississippi River Saltwater Sill Consistency Determination
Contact
Webmaster
504-862-1606
webmaster-mvn@usace.army.mil
Updated 8/23/2012
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