After Drought, Reducing Water Flow Could Hurt Mississippi River Transport.

[elleng]

As part of an annual process, the Army Corps of Engineers has begun reducing the amount of water flowing from the upper Missouri River into the Mississippi, all but ensuring that the economically vital river traffic will be squeezed even further. If water levels fall low enough, the transport of $7 billion in agricultural products, chemicals, coal and petroleum products in December and January alone could be stalled altogether.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/us/hit-by-drought-mississippi-river-may-face-more-challenges.html?hp&_r=0

[Jackpine Radical]

1. This fall I've been watching several tributaries of the N. Mississippi River

The St. Croix, the Chippewa, the Black & Buffalo, etc. & they're all very low, as low as I've seen them in more than 20 years.

Yeah, you can pretty much bank on severely reduced flow in the Mississippi, which will (among other things) push up grain prices on the world market. So much wheat & corn is routed down the river…

[NoOneMan]

2. It will be interesting to watch how many economic systems can unravel from climate change

While not always as obvious as ruined crops or devastating storms, logistical issues like impacted trade routes or power grid damage can cause some less obvious economic consequences.

[NickB79]

3. "After" drought?

Wouldn't that imply that the drought is somehow over? Too many people think that droughts end once you get the crops out of the field, and then forget all about it until the next growing season.

[elleng]

4. Story says: 'The drought of 2012 has already caused

restrictions on barge traffic up and down the Mississippi River. But things are about to get a lot worse.'

HEADLINE shortened timeline to 'After Drought,' when referring to 2012 growing and transportation situation.