I dont know what the elevation of the bottom of the river was in 1970 or prior.I just know that it is much higher now from silting thus dramatically increasing flooding along its southern stretch. I grew up hunting and fishing property inside the levee in La. across from near where Giles is. Incredible country that would flood predictably in the spring refreshing the fisheries and creating some of the best soil in the U.S. Now the entire 8000 acres stays under water 6-7 months a year, the fisheries are ruined, the timber is dead or dying and use of the property is severly limited. This is true on countless acreage for hundreds of miles. No gripe as I'm not involved any more, just an observation.
There is litigation along the entire river, both sides , against the corp contending that corp management has limited access to property and there is precedent for success. Corp action has created profound silting not only in the Ms. River but the amount of topsoil deposited from the river into the gulf is incalculable . Of course farming practices including tillage , tiling and such creating erosion are culpable too. That with projects small and large from the corp. that expedite runoff into the river more quickly have changed the ecology of the river dramatically .
I would need to better understand what actions the Corp. has taken benefiting what commerce to discuss. I think the ducks have enjoyed the increase in flooding.
