Mississippi-Atchafalaya Diversion: A New Perspective

Abstract

Contrasting views of a potential Mississippi River diversion were presented in 1980. Kazmann and Johnson (1980) predicted dire results from a future failure of the Old River Control Structure which was constructed to prevent diversion of the Mississippi by the Atchafalaya. They estimated losses in transportation facilities, flood damage, and from pipe line failure would range from 1.562 to 4.025 billion dollars. Kolb (1980) suggested that a controlled and managed diversion of substantial duration should be considered. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to modify the existing Old River Structure complex to ensure its continued success in flow control at an estimated cost of 220 million dollars. There is an alternative to these three options which could work in harmony with natural processes in avoiding a capture of the Mississippi by the Atchafalaya for perhaps thousands of years. This approach involves significantly shortening the current 253 mile path of the Mississippi River from Profit Island, near Baton Rouge, to Head of Passes by construction of five meander loop cutoffs in this stretch along with diversion of the Mississippi River just east of New Orleans to Breton and Chandeleur sounds via the present Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. This would shorten the present distance by 82 miles or 32 percent and in essence re-establish the viability of the present channel. This proposal constitutes a concept rather than a derived conclusion. Hopefully, it will calm fears raised by catastrophic predictions and will focus attention of appropriate governmental agencies on a continuing reappraisal of alternatives.