Recent rainfall across parts of the Midwest helps, but it may not alleviate a serious drought in the region.
Tag: mississippi river
Posted inEnvironment
Does the Mississippi River have rights?
Black and indigenous organizers from across the Mississippi River basin called to grant the river legal standing at a summit in late May. It’s part of a nascent movement that has won meaningful success abroad and is picking up steam in the U.S., with far-reaching implications.
Posted inEnvironment
Mississippi River crests at Davenport, Iowa, testing barriers
The Mississippi River has crested at Davenport, Iowa, after rising for several days due to a spring surge of water from melting snow.
Posted inEnvironment
Road salts wash into Mississippi River, damaging ecosystems and pipes
Chloride levels are increasing at all Wisconsin monitoring sites and across the Upper Mississippi River basin.
Posted inEnvironment
Invasive black carp now thriving in the Mississippi River basin
The black carp, one of four invasive species of carp in North America, has made it into the Mississippi River basin.
Posted inEnvironment
Midwest cities have plenty of vacant land. Why can’t urban farmers buy it?
Urban farmers are trying to buy vacant lots to bring fresh, healthy food and green space to their neighborhoods, but they face challenges in acquiring that land.
Posted inEconomy, Environment
Mayors call for federal assistance as Mississippi River reaches record lows
Impacts of dry conditions range from barge slowdowns to water main breaks caused by shifting dry ground.
Posted inEnvironment
Making room for the river: Mississippi River communities examine nature-based solutions
Solutions might make river communities look different in 100 years: greener, safer and more sustainable. But they’ll need resources to do it.
Posted inEnvironment
We answer your questions about increased rain across the Mississippi River basin
The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk asked for audience questions and perspectives while reporting its series, When it Rains.
Posted inEnvironment
A wetter world is changing Midwest farming. Can growers adapt?
A changing climate is causing rain to fall in harder bursts that push back planting seasons and drown crops in the Mississippi River farm country.
Posted inEnvironment
Gripped by drought, drenched by rain, Mississippi River basin sees climate extremes
States across the Mississippi River basin are experiencing drought more commonly found in the arid Southwest, federal data shows. As of Oct. 20, nearly two-thirds of Wisconsin’s land was experiencing at least “abnormally dry” conditions, while swaths of western and northern Wisconsin saw moderate to severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Posted inEnvironment
Nitrate pours into Mississippi River and other U.S. waterways, report says
Regulated industries in 2020 released at least 94.5 million pounds of potentially harmful nitrates into the Mississippi River basin. But some releases go untallied.