Illinois rivers are facing severe drought. Why does it matter?
Drought is causing the levels of Illinois' rivers, including the Mississippi River, to drop. That drop is already having an effect on the supply chain of the state. Jose Zepeda/Illinois Public Media
A large proportion of Illinois' borders are made of waterways, and it goes without saying that the rivers play an essential role in the state’s economy and ecology, with the Mississippi playing a major role in supply chains. But right now, rivers across the state are facing a severe drought, and water levels continue to sink, with the Mississippi River seeing the lowest levels recorded since 2012, which is already causing supply chain issues.
To discuss the river drought, its causes and effects, and why it matters, we were joined by the senior vice president of Waterways Council and the senior manager of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s River Forecast Center.
GUESTS:
Deb Calhoun
Senior Vice President, Waterways Council, Inc.
James Everett
Senior Manager, Tennessee Valley Authority’s River Forecast Center
Read more about saltwater moving up the Mississippi River, and what's being done to stop it. https://t.co/I1a0A6TNrm
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