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Is saltwater intrusion retreating?

Is saltwater intrusion retreating?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers building a sill, or underwater levee, in the Mississippi River near Myrtle Grove in September, 2023. The sill is slowing the movement of a salt wedge that threatens drinking water systems in southeastern Louisiana.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Is the saltwater intrusion coming up the Mississippi River moving back downstream? Info on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website says the leading edge of the salt wedge is at river mile 63.9 as of Monday, October 9.

The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate reports that's about five miles downriver from last week.


The location of the salt wedge is just slightly upriver from where the Corps is building a sill, or underwater levee, to blunt the up-river flow of denser saltwater.

Ron Spooner, the interim general superintendent of the Sewerage & Water Boars of New Orleans, told members at a New Orleans City Council committee meeting that it is good news. Even better news is a forecast for more rain in the Midwest that will help increase the downstream flow on the Mississippi River.

The corps' updated salt intrusion forecast comes Thursday.