While the Midwest is getting disaster publicity, the effects of all that rain are having significant impacts here. Here is the story:

HORN ISLAND, Miss. (WLOX) - Sunday marked 80 days that the Bonnet Carré Spillway has been open so far this year. The latest opening on May 10 was the second time this year, a first in the 88-year history of the spillway. During that time, trillions of gallons of fresh water from the Mississippi River has found its way into the saltwater environment of the Mississippi Sound.

The impact is not just limited to the mainland. It can be seen on our barrier islands as well, including Horn Island. At first glance, the island seems beautiful and pristine, but a closer look reveals trouble. The water isn’t as clear as it should be, and disturbing sights can be found on the beach, including plenty of dead fish that have washed up.

Those who come to the island have noticed, including Jamie Jenkins.

“Obviously this is a resource that we enjoy. We have a boat to come out onto the water. We like to fish. The biggest concern is what does it do to the fishing," Jenkins said.

The long-term impact of what’s being called by state officials a disaster is on the minds of many, like Bill Kilduff III.

“It’s the marine life that we’re so accustomed to and appreciate here. When you alter the ecosystem with the influx of fresh water, it could be catastrophic. Just to get back to normal really," he said.

Wendy LaCaze has a unique perspective. She’ s from the Kiln but lives in New Orleans now.

“I think it’s the same as everybody else’s concern. Anytime you introduce a foreign body of water, you’re going to have things that happen that you don’t expect. We’re having issues in Lake Pontchartrain with algae build-up," she said.

One of the major problems with the opening of the Bonnet Carré Spillway is the low salinity in the Mississippi Sound. On Horn Island, you take the water, you taste it, and there is hardly any salt at all. That has impacted sea life, from dolphins to turtles and fish. That has island visitors very upset.

“We’re very concerned. There are a lot of dolphins floating up, and we’ve noticed a lot of dead fish floating coming over. Apparently, there’s a lot of fresh water coming through here," said Doug Slonaker.

These visitors are happy that state-elected officials have taken this seriously and are now demanding answers from the Army Corps of Engineers.

“We have to have a seat at the table and be part of that conversation to make sure that people understand that whenever they do open these spillways, that there is an impact to Mississippi, to the residents and the ability to enjoy the recreational activities that we have with the waters here," Jenkins said.

As of Sunday, there’s been no indication from the Army Corps of Engineers about when the spillway may be closed.

link: https://www.wlox.com/2019/06/1...our-barrier-islands/

Close the spillway. . . flood New Orleans?

Yep. I know some people that would favor that. {I am joking}.

I imagine that every time the Mississippi flooded catastrophically and injected vast amounts of fresh water into the Gulf of Mexico before we arrived, the result was the same. What do the idiots think we should do with all the water? And despite it being a good idea, flooding New Orleans isn’t really an option.

Why would it kill dolphins? I see dolphins swim in fresh/brackish water all the time. They never seem distressed when in bays or rivers.

What, exactly, do the complainers propose to be done to ameliorate this problem?

quote:

What, exactly, do the complainers propose to be done to ameliorate this problem?

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The usual, I bet. MONEY. As a longtime resident I am wondering if there are not other options. Prior to the levee system fresh water injection into the Mississippi Sound was not a problem. The Spillway gets opened periodically. The problem this year is the length of time it has been open. I posted the article merely to draw attention to the issue, as it seems to get little coverage in the National Press. I do not have the knowledge to address the health of dolphins nor the complexities of flood management.

The issue is that they are redirecting the fresh water to were it doesn’t normally go.

Some friends and I just spent 4 days fishing in the Chandeleur islands last month. There was no live bait to be had anywhere before we headed down and while we were down there the fishing was terrible. Normally we catch red fish and trout in the hundreds each day but we had to really work for the few fish we did manage to find.

I understand why they are diverting the water, but this is the classic case were one area is being impacted in order to benefit a different area.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
What, exactly, do the complainers propose to be done to ameliorate this problem?

I think Mississippi has filed a lawsuit to get the Bonnet Carré Spillway closed to stop the fresh water from being diverted.

quote:

I understand why they are diverting the water, but this is the classic case were one area is being impacted in order to benefit a different area.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Thanks for putting in so well. That is the crux of the problem. We have a love/hate relationship with NOLA. It is hurting the Coast economically both in the tourist and seafood industry. Plus, I like oysters.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Plus, I like oysters.

My friend is in Van Clecve and keeps his big boat out in long beach. Its a requirement when I come out to have lunch at the half shell oyster house at least once.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

I understand why they are diverting the water, but this is the classic case were one area is being impacted in order to benefit a different area.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Thanks for putting in so well. That is the crux of the problem. We have a love/hate relationship with NOLA. It is hurting the Coast economically both in the tourist and seafood industry. Plus, I like oysters.

What I understand: A LONG TERM change to the water salinity will adversely impact marine life. As to oysters, they seem to have a happy zone; too much fresh OR too much salt will kill'em. Too much salt ruined the famous Apalachee Bay (Apalachicola) oyster industry a few years ago when Atlanta experienced a prolonged drought and withheld water.

From WLOX: "She's from the Kiln...". She must be HOT!

We live about 4 miles south of the spillway. We've been here since '86. I don't ever remember the spillway being open for this long.

The river level here has been constant, at the base of the levee for several months. If the spillway wasn't opened I don't know how high the water level would have risen. Several years ago the water level rose half way up the levee. The spillway wasn't opened that year.

There are quite a few plants along the river near the spillway including a nuclear power plant just a few miles north. There's a Shell refinery right next to the spillway.

I haven't heard when the spillway is to be closed. I can't imagine it will remain open for too much longer.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
Why would it kill dolphins? I see dolphins swim in fresh/brackish water all the time. They never seem distressed when in bays or rivers.

Dolphins can tolerate fresh water for temporary periods, but long-term it will kill them, often in groups. (except for a few species that live in fresh water.)

This was yesterday on I-10 heading to NOLA. That is on the edge of Lake Pontchartrain where The Bonnet Carre Spillway dumps the Mississippi River water in it.

 [code] https://i.imgur.com/ucwTOwS.mp4 

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I know I probably screwed that up I never posted a video

quote:

Originally posted by cne32507:

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

I understand why they are diverting the water, but this is the classic case were one area is being impacted in order to benefit a different area.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Thanks for putting in so well. That is the crux of the problem. We have a love/hate relationship with NOLA. It is hurting the Coast economically both in the tourist and seafood industry. Plus, I like oysters.

What I understand: A LONG TERM change to the water salinity will adversely impact marine life. As to oysters, they seem to have a happy zone; too much fresh OR too much salt will kill'em. Too much salt ruined the famous Apalachee Bay (Apalachicola) oyster industry a few years ago when Atlanta experienced a prolonged drought and withheld water.

From WLOX: "She's from the Kiln...". She must be HOT!

It is colloquially referred to as "the kiln". I have never heard it referred to as anything but. The N is silent, it's "the kill" to anybody from around these parts.

Spillway will be open for at least another month I heard this morning. They will begin to close when the river gauges start falling below 16ft (which is above normal flow)

2 weeks ago salinity testing was done in MS Sound and it register zero. Typically it should be about 25ppt

Many in my community are shrimpers and crabbers. On a normal day I’d see 10-15 crab boats go out every morning or evening. I’m lucky to see 4 a week right now. Chef Menteur Pass would normally have 15-20 shrimp boats every night.... not a one

All the oyster beds have collapsed, 85% mortality rate. Almost 300 dolphins have been found dead, no idea how many sea turtles. 500 was last number I’d seen. Crabbers are lucky to have 1 or 2 live in a trap with 15-20 dead

Dead zone is expected to be almost 9000square miles. Algae bloom in lake Pontchartrain and lake Borgne can be seen in satellite photos depleting O2

It’s not only the 1.4million gallons a minute flowing through the spillway, it’s also the industrial and agricultural chemicals the water is bringing with it

I talked with a friend who has a number of oyster leases yesterday. He stated that he lost 3 more this past weekend, nothing but dead oysters in Lake Borgne. It will take him 3-5yrs to get them reestablished again

Reminds me to some degree of the response to the Oil spill. The disaster that slowly unfolds but has significant and life changing impacts to the fishing industry as well as tourism.

We live about five miles North of Lake Pontchartrain.

In March 2016, my home flooded because of a worse case scenario:

1. The Bonnet Carré Spillway had just closed after being open for about thirty days and the lake waters were high.
2. There was a strong South wind of 9 mph that was pushing the elevated water to the north slowing the drainage of the rivers north of Lake Pontchartrain.
3. Continuing heavy rain to our North, was overloading the smaller rivers from up in Mississippi.
4. Compounding the problem was that the local rivers had been declared Scenic Rivers and the debris of fallen trees, etc could not be cleared, which caused restricted draining.

People fail to realize that the Mississippi River drains 41% of the U.S. Now, if you people in that 41% would just keep your own damned water in your area - we would be just tickled pink.

PS: All the fish-huggers get teary eyed and limp because of the fish kills, but the fish always come back, more nutriments are settled in, and the crawfish harvest is magnificent.

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