USACE hosts press conference on Mississippi River current operations

With water levels on the Mississippi River hitting close to record lows for the third consecutive year now, the Memphis District Corps of Engineers organized and held a press conference yesterday to review current river operations and answer questions related to this year’s low water event.

During the two-hour event, District Commander Col. Brian Sawser and a panel of District experts discussed current and projected river levels, its impact on river traffic and the economy, and several different mitigation efforts, like dredging, put in place in response.

“Finally, the commander and District leaders spent time stressing the importance of partnership and how working with local, federal, and state agencies such as the Coast Guard is key to ensuring a safe and navigable channel,” said USACE.

Navigation is one of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ oldest missions and for the Memphis District, the mission revolves around the Mississippi River.

Representing 500 million tons of shipped goods per year (according to the Port of New Orleans), the Mississippi River barge port system is significant to national trade, said USACE.