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Mississippi River Basin needs more rain

The director of USDA’s Midwest Climate Hub says the recent rains won’t do much for low Mississippi River levels.

Dennis Todey tells Brownfield there are severe to extreme drought conditions along portions of the Mississippi River Basin and the soil will take in moisture before river levels can be restored. He says it’s not a quick fix.

“It’s going to hopefully be a progression throughout the fall we can work our way out of.”

He says the dryness in the Eastern Corn Belt is contributing to the current low levels on the Mississippi River.

“The Ohio River contributes about 60% of the flow south of Cairo, Illinois. As long as the Ohio River is moving, the Mississippi can do ok, but things are drying out in the Eastern Corn Belt, which is where much of the Ohio River comes from.”

He says more rain will be needed to help barges move down the river.