43 



SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION ON PAPERS BY THE GROUP FROM 

 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY 



A question was raised as to the effect the increasing flow down the Atchafalaya was having 

 on the lower Mississippi. In answering, Dr. Russell made it clear that he expressed only his 

 own views because he felt the problem had some political aspects. He pointed out that the city 

 of New Orleans needs a water supply and that this need could be easily fulfilled. There is an 

 abundance of water a few miles to the north that could be piped into the city instead of using 

 Mississippi River water. As far as the port is concerned, Dr. Russell felt the diversion of the 

 Mississippi into the Atchafalaya would be an excellent thing. If a dam should be built in connec- 

 tion with the diversion, he would prefer a dam across the Mississippi because a dam across 

 the Atchafalaya or Old River, would concentrate the flood flow down the channel and New Orleans 

 would begin to suffer from floods. This would be extremely dangerous. The hydraulic gradient 

 at extreme flood down the Mississippi is almost the same as at the lowest stage down the 

 Atchafalaya. The Atchafalaya has the ability to accomplish the drop to sea level in half the 

 distance needed by the Mississippi. 



In addition. Dr. Russell suggested that a dam across the Mississippi would reduce the 

 number of days of fog in the passes. Fog, the chief fear of pilots, is caused by the cold river 

 water coming into the warm Gulf water. 



However, the river towns' water supply is the really critical thing, and that could become 

 a catastrophy unless steps are taken to bring decent water into the region. 



In discussing the problems of deposition at the mouths of the Mississippi it was noted 

 that the two commercial outlets of the river are artificially maintained. The other outlets 

 barely maintain a depth of four feet over their bars. During time of flood, even with only a foot 

 of water, it is possible for a small boat to cross the bars because there is only a soft ooze to 

 plow through. However, at time of prolonged low water, the bottoms have hardened and a boat 

 drawing four feet has a difficult time coming in a pass not maintained by the U. S. Army 

 Engineers. Each pass tends to build a barrier, and therefore the natural depth of any pass 

 is less than one fathom. 



