Mississippi River projected to be at minus levels during harvest for third straight year

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Drought conditions have plagued farmers for the last two harvest seasons, but haven’t been a factor this growing season. One side impact has been on the water levels of the Mississippi River.

Last year, the river at Memphis dropped to an all-time low of minus 11.5 feet in October. It topped the previous record of minus 10.81 feet set in 2022. Despite consistent rain throughout much of the region, the river is projected to be at minus 3.2 feet by Aug. 27, according to NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service.

The mid-south hasn’t had drought-like conditions, but a lack of snow last winter in the upper Midwest and lower rain levels throughout the spring and summer have led to lower water levels with many tributaries in the river’s upper system.

Mississippi River projected to be at minus levels during harvest for third straight year

NOAA/National Weather Service Briefing for Hurricane Ida

Ida is now a dangerous category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds

▪ Significant impacts are expected across portions of southern Louisiana and Mississippi. ▪ Impacts across Arkansas will be limited to southeast portions of the state. ▪ There are currently no tropical storm watches or warnings in effect for Arkansas.

Flash Flood Watch in Effect Through Thursday Morning

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM CDT THIS MORNING
THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of southwest Arkansas, Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma,
  and Texas, including the following areas, in southwest
  Arkansas, Columbia, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little
  River, Miller, Nevada, and Sevier. In Louisiana, Bienville,
  Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln,
  Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Webster, and Winn. In
  southeast Oklahoma, McCurtain. In Texas, Angelina, Bowie,
  Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Marion,
  Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San
  Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Upshur, and Wood.

* From 7 AM CDT this morning through Thursday morning

* Additional rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches with isolated higher
  amounts in excess of 6 inches possible.

* Flooding may occur in urban and poor drainage areas. Heavy
  rainfall may also cause flooding of creeks, streams, and
  rivers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation.
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

Showers and Thunderstorms Continue Thursday; Flash Flood Watch in Effect for SW AR

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON... The Flash Flood Watch continues for * Portions of southwest Arkansas...southeast Oklahoma and northeast Texas, including the following areas, in southwest Arkansas, Howard, Little River and Sevier. In southeast Oklahoma, McCurtain. In northeast Texas, Bowie, Franklin, Red River and Titus. * Through this afternoon * Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated higher amounts possible. * Flooding may occur in urban and poor drainage areas. Heavy rainfall may also cause flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers.