It runs through 10 states and several major cities, including Baton Rouge. At the start of 2016, state and city officials are keeping a close eye on the Mississippi River because of the rising water level, which is expected to get as high as it was back in 2011.
“The intensity and the tributaries of the Mississippi River that don’t start getting high until later, like Feburary and March, have risen pretty quickly,” said Dr. Clint Willson, a professor of environmental engineering at Louisiana State University.
Should residents be concerned? Willson said not yet.
“I don’t think so. There’s enough checks and balances, for lack of a better word, in place that will alleviate those flooding concerns here in Louisiana,” Willson explained.
Residents Hazel and Esther Fleming say they are not worried.
“No, not really,” Hazel said. “We came down here in 2011, and walked the levy and it was high, but it wasn’t really anything bad.”
“I think the levees will do their job,” Esther added.
Right now, in Baton Rouge, the river level is around 33 feet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Forecasts show the Mississippi is expected to rise to above 40 feet in the capital city by the middle of January, but Dr. Willson said there are options just in case.
“If it’s forecasted or will get above a certain level, then we’ll consider opening Bonnet Carre Spillway,” Willson said. “Then they’ll start looking at if the water level gets too high in Baton Rouge, Red River and this part of the Mississippi River, then they’ll start looking at altering old river control structure operations or the Morganza Spillway.”
Earlier this week, Governor Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency for Louisiana because of the bad and deadly weather in Missouri, which caused the Mississippi to swell up. In turn, that heightened the flood risk for us here in Louisiana.