Mississippi River Drought Reveals Horrors Beneath the Surface

Did you know that the Mississippi River is currently experiencing a massive drought? The waters have receded to alarming levels, which is having many seen and unforeseen consequences. One of the more interesting things that happen when bodies of water have large and unexpected recessions is that there is suddenly a multitude of items unearthed.

▬Contents of this video▬
00:00 - Intro
01:21 - The Lowest in 30 Years
02:39 - Unearthing a Variety of Things
03:45 - Other Items Found
05:15 - Emergency Relief
06:12 - The Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative
07:27 - Shipping Delays
08:23 - Outro

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We’re referring to things that, until recently, were either at the bottom of the waterway or floating somewhere therein. In this video, we take a look at some of the interesting and alarming things that have been discovered since the waters of the Mississippi have receded. It’s a wild variety of historical artifacts, like ships from the 17th century, to household items like combs and toothbrushes. And even the bones of a long-extinct animal! It’s a fascinating effect of any major body of water that suddenly is a lot less full. We also talk about the ramifications of the drought of the Mississippi River.

Since the river acts as a major shipping route, as well as an important source of water for the region and the country, it is already having negative impacts on the local, national, and global economy. We go over some of the ways that the drought it affecting things economically, as well as environmentally. And we talk about how groups in the area are trying their best to get legislation passed that will help tackle this issue, both in terms of stopping the current drought from having too many negative impacts, and in terms of putting resources toward mitigating the potential for drought in the future.

So check out this video today, as Viewcation presents: The Mississippi River Drought Reveals Horrors Beneath the Surface!

Mississippi River Drought Reveals Horrors Beneath the Surface

[EddieRobertsRiverGypsy]

I'm on the lower out of Natchez. Rivers rose 20+ feet since this video. Drought is gone as expected.
Next up....flood

[dennisakins]

All Congress needs to do is pass a law making drought illegal. Problem solved.

[robertandjodijackola]

I remember flying over in if my memory serves correctly, in 1989 to Chicago there were barges stuck in the mud in Illinois it was so low., droughts come and go.

[fredferd]

Those "bullets from the war" you are talking about are not "bullets". They are expended (mostly empty) modern cartridge casings.

[michaelhaiden]

Seems like a damn good time to dredge and clean up

[iceman]

What a great opportunity to clean up the waterway and take advantage of the lower water levels.

[michaeldemarco]

Well if it was this low just thirty years ago doesn't that mean that this happens a lot?

[Thekidsinafrica]

I work on a tugboat and we pass through the Mississippi every week to get to Baton Rouge and we’re on a high River advisory. The Mississippi lowers and raises every year

[wallyman]

I predict within 5 years, we'll all be sitting here watching a video about the worst flooding along the Mississippi in 30 years.

[stevegeczy]

Lowest in 30 years? How long has this river been flowing??? Why is everything always a crisis and taken out of context.

[jeffcampbell]

One could argue the Mississippi watershed from Minnesota to the Gulf IS America, as it encompasses the historic lion's share of arable land, water resources and economic activity. When we use the phrase "American heartland" this is the place meant. It's more famous for epic flooding, but drought is cyclical, too. The river makes exploiting the riches of the heartland possible, but it also occasionally flings a catastrophe into the laps of people who've settled there.

[edwardpedley]

OH, the HORRORS. Who would have guessed that sunken items might be revealed. I may not be able to sleep for minutes.

[gliderider]

I remember in 79 it was much lower than this.. the river boat has been sticking out if the water since it sank! Isn’t like it was a surprise 🙄

[janettamcgee]

Exactly what were the horrors that they found beneath the surface?

[doubleedgedfist]

Very fascinating from a historical view! I bet archeologists were excited to take a look down there!

[jeromeschulze]

And here we are 4 months later and it's back to flooding.. much needed

[shiftshet]

This is the reason I hate social media way too much drama

[TheLittlered]

I do like the video, very informative. I do take issue with this being called a mega drought.

This is a normal cycle. Only a few years long. As you stated it happened 30 years ago. It also happened back in the 60's. Not as bad but did happened. I remember both.

I also remember the several floods. I wish that people would stop being so hyperbolic. This is a short term problem that will self correct.

[freddygasman]

Don't worry about the lack of water, wait until spring comes. When all the snow melts up north, you will be more worried about flooding than a drought.

[ursaltydog]

We' ve had it upon occasion the last few years, but it's a mystery to me as we've received so much rain, and snow in that area as well. There must be a better way to retain the rainfall, especially as it comes from the north western areas that flow into the Mississippi.