By: Andrew Whitehurst
The idea that the
Pearl River needs restoration and not more disturbance is gaining traction with
state agencies in Louisiana and Mississippi that are now discussing the
decommissioning of the Pearl River Navigational Canal. The Pearl has the
fourth-largest fresh water discharge in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, so it is
very important to swamps and coastal wetlands in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Compared to the river systems to the east, like the Pascagoula; and those to
the west feeding Lake Pontchartrain, the Pearl River has suffered more
disturbance and needs restoration.
The Pearl has seen
many man-made changes since 1950. Gary Parker, of Bogalusa, has lived through
them and keeps a running list. He is retired now, but this Pearl River
enthusiast learned in his youth to navigate, fish and hunt along the lower
river. Downstream of navigation locks near Bogalusa, Parker and others have
watched a hazardous, mile-long log jam grow since Hurricane Isaac. Log jams
have formed and have been removed over the years, but this one is now receiving
some needed attention from state agencies. Since 1963, the river below Jackson,
Mississippi has been at the mercy of the Ross Barnett Reservoir and the
management of its dam floodgates. Reservoir outflow amplifies both annual low
and high water periods downstream.
The Pearl is a
"working" river basin with more than 100 permitted dischargers in
Mississippi and Louisiana. Small businesses discharge a few thousand gallons of
treated wastewater per day, while major industries and bigger cities
individually can add between one and ten million gallons per day. Flow is a big
deal in permits because there must be enough flowing water to dilute
wastewater. The Walkiah Bluff diversion structure is meant to divide flow
between the East and West Pearl channels. It can be hard to predict water
movements due to flooding or storm surges because the Pearl's lower floodplain has been changed since the 1970s when Interstate 10 and Highway 59 changed flow
patterns with roadways elevated above swamp level and acting like dams.
A new dam and lake
project proposed for the urban section of the Pearl River in Jackson,
Mississippi won’t ease water quantity issues downstream. Plans for this
"One Lake" project for flood control and riverfront development
should be published for comment this fall by the Rankin Hinds Pearl River Flood
and Drainage Control District. Promoters are selling the idea that a lake can
provide both flood control and riverfront business development. The project
needs a close examination by those living downstream who have seen the worst of
nearly 70 years of change.
The Pearl has long
provided quality habitats for wildlife and fish, but Parker says ecological
changes and invasive species are stressing the river and its wetlands. He cites
the explosion of the feral hog population and their constant rooting that
wrecks vegetation along stream banks, disturbs soil and adds to erosion and
sediment problems. “Our native wildlife and fish are suffering the effects,”
says Parker.
Hurricanes flatten
swamps; saltwater intrusion changes swamp to marsh, amplified flooding carries
more plastic and household trash downstream. “It seems to be increasing every
day,” Parker says; “At this pace, the basin cannot and will not survive.” With
Mississippi pouring millions of dollars into marsh and oyster restoration at
the mouth of the east Pearl, he asks: “How will that survive without a healthy
river system upstream of it?” Restoration of the Pearl and the coastal wetlands
in both states is less likely to succeed if another dam and lake are built near
Jackson and adversely affect basic flow.
“The Pearl River is
crying out for help,” Parker says, and until now not enough people have been
listening; but there is hope for change. On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Pearl River
Clean Sweep will be the first trash cleanup attempted over the river’s full 490
miles from its headwaters near Philadelphia, Mississippi to the mouth at Lake
Borgne. The Pearl’s Riverkeeper, Abby Braman, is coordinating this event. State
Rep. Malinda Brumfield White, of Bogalusa, has been very supportive of the
Pearl Clean Sweep and Abby’s efforts. To learn more or volunteer, visit www.pearlriverkeeper.com. Gary Parker,
Abby, and many volunteers will be in boats removing trash and making a
statement that this September, there is a new outlook for this river.
Andrew Whitehurst
is water program director for Gulf Restoration Network and focuses on
Mississippi water and wetland issues.
Thanks for this informative post. I’d like to learn more, specifically how an upstream lake would adversely affect the lower Pearl. Couldn’t operating rules for such a lake provide for a guaranteed minimum flow to preserve the river’s baseflow?
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice post about water damage mitigation. Any types of water damage need emergency action. Because if you don't take emergency action then it may destroy your property permanently. You should hire a company for water damage restoration. They will restore your property and take proper step from prevent further damage.
ReplyDeleteThanks for an important detail for water restoration. It will really help in future. If anyoe want to know more about Water Damage Restoration Collegeville PA then visit Biowashing.
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking for quality landscaping management software then choose us. You will be having potential softer at your work that also at your budget. Choose us for getting the best.
ReplyDelete