Low water levels are not only bad for Americans, they also negatively impact other countries like China and Japan, where Midwestern grain and soybeans play a critical role in food supplies. In 2022, low river levels resulted in an estimated $20 billion in trade losses. American farmers can meet the world’s needs, but they need better infrastructure and navigation to do so. The Mississippi River is an ecosystem that many species depend on. In the past two years, many species of fish and other animals have faced habitat loss due to changing water levels.
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Observations show declines in shellfish and forage fish populations, which are an important food source for migrating birds. The work of dredging experts continues, but the problem remains. With global warming, it is clear that the Mississippi and the ecosystems that depend on it will face new challenges.
