Big Trouble On The Mighty Mississippi River

[lovuian]

60% of the grains travel on the barges
Depth seen at Thebes Illinois was 6 feet
they weather forecasters predict in February 2 feet depth ....it takes a minimum for barges to have 9feet

Ice is a factor now due to shallow depths
and water from Carlyle Lake has been released ....next Missouri River

It is serious

[DeSwiss]

1. Barge traffic.....

...and economic concerns pale by comparison to the problems the low Mississippi River water levels present with respect to maintaining adequate cooling of nuclear plants that depend on that same water. A hydroelectric plant, coal fired, whatever the fuel source will be affected by a lack of water and can be forced to shutdown as a result.

But when you can't cool the rods in a nuclear plant, you've got more than just shutdown problems on your hands. What would be the effect of half a dozen to a dozen or so Fukushima's going-on simultaneously right here at home? Now might be a good time to dust-off (or create) that old escape plan. Make sure you have one with all four directions in mind.

- Just in case.....

K&R

[unterrified democrat]

6. There aren't any nuclear plants in this area.

There are a couple, one in Nebraska and one in central Missouri - both on the Missouri River. The next one is on the Lower Mississippi River in Grand Gulf Mississippi where the river is low but not nearly so.

[DeSwiss]

9. Lack of water (or too much) is an issue for all kinds of power plants.

wiki list nuclear plants using mississippi river

Concerned Scientists: Renewables Secure From Drought

Climate change challenges power plant operations

Heat and Drought Pose Risks for Nuclear Power Plants

US nuclear units monitor rising Mississippi River

And welcome to DU.

[Demo_Chris]

2. What (if anything) can be done about this?

[2on2u]

4. Barges made of carbon fiber instead of steel, they will draft less with the same load. nt

[unterrified democrat]

5. That wouldn't work.

An empty steel barge only drafts 18 to 24 inches as it is.. they are already quite efficient, and they need the durability that steel offers, they get banged around alot. The draft of a barge is mostly dependant to how much product you put into it.

[unterrified democrat]

7. This is just another symptom of climate change.

Just as much as the great flood of last year... extreme weather. 350 legislation and public participation - both highly unlikely.

[snappyturtle]

3. This is not only serious in relation to barge traffic but what a kick in the

gut in relation to the drought and climate change.

[Lakerstan]

8. The Trouble with Tibbles?

you Star Trek geeks will get the reference..