The Mississippi River saltwater wedge threatening New Orleans-area water supplies has retreated more than five miles, marking a positive development since the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' announcement last week that the wedge wouldn’t arrive at local intakes for weeks, if at all.
The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board officials said Oct. 10 they are still preparing emergency plans, while considering permanent fixes to combat future saltwater intrusion.
The wedge was at river mile 63.9 as of Oct. 9, according to the Corps' website. It had reached river mile 69.4, or about six miles south of Belle Chasse, as of Oct. 2.
“That is very good news for the entire region,” said Ron Spooner, the S&WB interim general superintendent, speaking at a City Council committee meeting.
Officials also said the river’s flow has picked up a bit with recent Midwest rainfall, helping force back the wedge after already being slowed by an underwater dam the Corps built over the summer.
Additional rains in the forecast will likely push the wedge further south. (NOLA.com 10/10/23) Mississippi River saltwater wedge retreats by five miles | News | nola.com
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