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Saltwater is moving up the Mississippi River and contaminating drinking water. Here’s what to know | CNN

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Saltwater is moving up the Mississippi River and contaminating drinking water. Here’s what to know | CNN




CNN
 — 

As drought tightens its grip in the Central US and water levels on the Mississippi River plummet to near-record lows, a surge of saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico is pushing upstream, polluting drinking water for thousands of residents south of New Orleans.

With little prospect of rain in the future, officials are working to find solutions before the saltwater infiltrates treatment plants that serve tens of thousands more residents, including New Orleans.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Monday requested a federal emergency declaration for four Louisiana parishes: Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Jefferson and Orleans.

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“With the current projections, it should be noted that almost 20% of the state could be impacted by this event,” Edwards said in the request, predicting saltwater could impact the state until January.

Here’s what to know about the saltwater intrusion.

What is the saltwater wedge, and where is it located?

The Mississippi River’s enormous flow rate is usually enough to keep water from the Gulf of Mexico out. But when the river is running low, saltwater can creep into it.

The saltwater wedge starts at the mouth of the river and moves upstream. Because saltwater is more dense than freshwater, it takes the shape of a wedge: The leading edge is at the bottom of the riverbed — the so-called toe of the wedge — and extends back toward the ocean.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has been tracking the location of the wedge toe, which as of September 24 was at river mile 69.3, around six miles downstream from Belle Chasse, and 26 miles downstream from the Algiers water treatment plant in New Orleans.

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Anywhere from 15 to 25 miles downstream from the toe, water at the surface of the river has been inundated with saltwater — the salt content in the surface water is higher than the Environmental Protection Agency public water supply standard.

In short, there’s not enough freshwater flowing down the Mississippi River after months of extreme heat and low rainfall.

Exceptional drought – the worst category – has spread across parts of Louisiana and Mississippi. This year has so far been the hottest on record for both states, according to recent figures from NOAA dating through August.

Extreme drought is also present upstream, where a lot of the river’s water originates: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri, according to the US Drought Monitor.

What happens upstream affects the flow rate at the mouth of the Mississippi River. The flow rate there needs to be above 300,000 cubic feet per second to keep the saltwater at bay, said Col. Cullen Jones, commander of the Corps’ New Orleans office. Recently, the flow rate at Belle Chasse, Louisiana — just south of New Orleans — has been just half that, at around 150,000 cubic feet per second, according to data from the US Geological Survey.

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How far up the river will the saltwater get, and when?

Current estimates from the Army Corps predict unsafe, salty water could travel another 50 miles upstream through the end of October, potentially affecting the water supply of four parishes and more than 80,000 people.

Three water intakes serving Plaquemines Parish are already inundated and two more are threatened in the coming weeks: the Belle Chase facility on October 13 and the Dalcour facility on October 15.

Together, these facilities produce 11.5 million gallons of water a day and serve over 23,000 people, according to information released by Plaquemines Parish.

Water could become inundated with salt in St. Bernard Parish on October 19, parts of Orleans Parish on October 22 and in parts of Jefferson Parish on October 25, according to the Army Corps.

The estimated inundation date for any given point doesn’t necessarily mean the water coming out of the tap will be unsafe to drink or use on that date. Notices on water safety would come from local officials.

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The timeline could change based on a number of hard-to-predict factors, including delays in construction of a higher underwater levee to slow the saltwater wedge, or river-boosting rain upstream.

State officials believe the saltwater intrusion could last until January 2024, according to Edwards’ federal emergency request. It’s unclear how far up the river the saltwater wedge could travel during that time.

Water in the city of New Orleans is currently safe to drink.

“Water in Orleans Parish remains safe to drink and use for all purposes,” a recent city news release said. “The most important thing for residents at this time is to stay informed and remain calm. As we continue monitoring this situation, we will communicate all necessary information to residents as it becomes available.”

The city’s water is at risk in mid-to-late October, which is when the Army Corps expects the New Orleans Algiers water treatment facility serving the city’s West Bank to be inundated. The New Orleans Carrollton facility, which produces 135 million gallons of water a day and serves the majority of the city, could be at risk in late October.

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Water is also currently safe to drink in St. Bernard and Jefferson parishes, parish officials said.

An underwater levee

A 1,500 foot wide underwater levee, or sill, was constructed on the riverbed by the Army Corps in July after saltwater began affecting drinking water in southern Plaquemines Parish. The 55-foot barrier, which was intended to prevent saltwater from moving farther upstream, was installed around 10 miles downstream from Belle Chasse.

But saltwater overtopped the levee on September 20 and continued to move upstream.

The Army Corps is now making the levee 25 feet taller, which it says will slow the saltwater’s advance. Its timeline for saltwater inundation assumes the higher levee is complete.

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Colonel Cullen Jones speaks to media about the low river levels on September 15.

It will take roughly two weeks to complete construction on the underwater levee, which will have a notch in it to allow large ships to pass through.

“This isn’t something that happens frequently, certainly not to this extent,” Sarah Stone, a civil engineer with the Army Corps told CNN. “Historically, the sill is built every 10 years. We’re doing it twice in eight months.”

Reverse osmosis units

Plaquemines Parish has relied heavily on bottled water to replace disruptions to drinking water since June.

More help is coming soon to the parish in the form of a reverse osmosis water purification unit that can filter saltwater and produce safe drinking water.

One such osmosis unit is headed to Point a la Hache, in Plaquemines Parish, this week, and the Army Corps hopes to have it operational by next week, Stone told CNN. Plaquemines is trying to acquire additional osmosis units for the Boothville, Port Sulphur and Belle Chase water treatment plants. Units have also been requested for St. Bernard, Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, according the governor’s disaster request.

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Barging millions of gallons of freshwater

Given the scarcity of the reverse osmosis machines – and their limited ability to filter high volumes of water – the Army Corps announced plans to distribute up to 36 million gallons of freshwater a day with a fleet of barges. It will be delivered to treatment facilities between Boothville and Gretna and mixed with the salty water to reduce the salt content to safe drinking levels, officials with the state and Army Corps told CNN.

State and Army Corps officials told CNN that the 36 million gallon number could change as osmosis units and other methods help reduce demand or as salinity increases in the water over time, requiring more water to mix.

Barges will range in volume from 250,000 gallons to 1,000,00 gallons, Army Corps spokespeople told CNN.

The barging has not begun, Army Corps and state officials told CNN. The Army Corps has identified a contractor to distribute the water and is working to distribute an initial batch of 15 millions gallons of water a day, Roe told CNN.

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The Army Corps “fully anticipates the capability to meet the need of up to 36 million gallons per day that could be required,” Roe told CNN. “Details about the execution of this process are still ongoing and will be available when finalized.”



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Mississippi

Mississippi State Football Depth Chart vs. No. 7 Tennessee

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Mississippi State Football Depth Chart vs. No. 7 Tennessee


STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State football didn’t have many changes to its depth chart for this week’s game at No. 7 Tennessee.

That’s not very surprising, but a look at both team’s depth charts reveals a potetional problem for Mississippi State, one that it is familiar with.

The Bulldogs’ defensive line is significantly smaller than the starting offensive line for Tennessee. The smallest Volunteer lineman weighs 310 lbs. Mississippi State has just two defensive line who tip the scales past 300 lbs. and they are Sulaiman Kpaka (300 lbs.) and Kai McClendon (305 lbs.).

That size discrepancy has already caused problems for the Bulldogs this season and, most likely, that trend is going to continue this Saturday night.

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Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) runs the ball against the Massachusetts Minutemen.

Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) runs the ball against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

QB1 – 0 Michael Van Buren Jr., 6-1, 200 lbs., Fr.
QB2 – 16 Chris Parson, 6-1, 215 lbs., Rs Fr.

Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) runs the ball against Massachusetts Minutemen linebacker.

Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) runs the ball against Massachusetts Minutemen linebacker Christian LeBrun (17) during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

RB1 – 21 Davon Booth, 5-10, 205 lbs., Sr.
-or- 20 Johnnie Daniels, 5-10, 200 lbs., Jr.
RB2 – 22 Xavier Gayten, 6-0, 190 lbs., Fr.

Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) runs for a touchdown while defended by Arkansas Razorbacks.

Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) runs for a touchdown while defended by Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Doneiko Slaughter (3) during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

SLWR1 – 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr. 
SLWR2 – 11 Jaden Walley, 6-0, 190 lbs., Sr.
SLWR 3 – 80 Kade Kolka, 5-11, 190 lbs., Sr.

WR1 – 6 Jordan Mosley, 6-0, 195 lbs., Jr. 
WR2 – 5 Braylon Burnside, 6-0, 200 lbs., Fr.  

WR1 – 7 Mario Craver 5-10, 170 lbs., Fr. 
-or- 1 Kelly Akharaiyi 6-1, 200 lbs., Sr. 
WR2 – 9 Ricky Johnson 6-2, 185 lbs., Fr.

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Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Seydou Traore (18) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.

Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Seydou Traore (18) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

TE1 – 18 Seydou Traore, 6-4, 235 lbs., R-Jr.
– or-  84 Justin Ball, 6-6, 250 lbs., Sr. 
TE2 – 86 Nick Lauderdale, 6-3, 225 lbs., Sr.
– or – 10 Cameron Ball, 6-6, 250 lbs., So.

LT1 – 66 Makylan Pounders, 6-5, 310 lbs., Jr. 
LT2 – 51 Luke Work, 6-6, 305 lbs., Fr.

LG1 – 75 Jacoby Jackson, 6-6, 320 lbs., Jr. 
LG2 – 53 Malik Ellis, 6-5, 285 lbs., So.

C1 – 67 Ethan Miner, 6-2, 305 lbs., Sr.
C2 – 72 Canon Boone, 6-4, 315 lbs., Jr.

RG1 – 77 Marlon Martinez, 6-5, 320 lbs., Sr. 
RG2 – 52 Grant Jackson, 6-6, 325 lbs., Sr.

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RT1 – 76 Albert Reese IV, 6-7, 330 lbs., Jr. 
RT2 – 74 Jimothy Lewis Jr., 6-6, 310 lbs., Fr.

Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive end De'Monte Russell (9) reacts after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies.

Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive end De’Monte Russell (9) reacts after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

DT1 – 23 Trevion Williams, 6-4, 295 lbs., R-Fr. 
DT2 – 98 Ashun Shepphard, 6-3, 280 lbs., Jr.

DT1 – 8 Sulaiman Kpaka, 6-3, 300 lbs., Sr. 
– or – 90 Kai McClendon, 6-2, 305 lbs., Fr.

DE1 – 9 De’Monte Russell, 6-4, 285 lbs., Sr. 
DE2 – 91 Deonte Anderson, 6-3, 270 lbs., Jr.
– or – 46 Joseph Head Jr., 6-4, 240 lbs., R-Fr.

Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Stone Blanton (7) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.

Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Stone Blanton (7) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

JLB1 – 11 Ty Cooper, 6-4, 245 lbs., Jr.
– or – 44 Branden Jennings, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr. 

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MLB1 – 7 Stone Blanton, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr. 
MLB2 – 26 JP Purvis, 6-1, 245 lbs., Sr.

DLB1 – 40 Nic Mitchell, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr.
– or – 5 John Lewis, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr. 
DLB2 – 16 Zakari Tillman, 6-2, 225 lbs., So.

STAR1 – 2 Isaac Smith, 6-0, 205 lbs., So. 
STAR2 – 28 Tanner Johnson 6-0 185 So.
– or – 15 Kobi Albert 5-11 180 R-So.

Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (6) runs the ball while defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (6) runs the ball while defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Corey Ellington (10) during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

FS1 – 10 Corey Ellington, 6-3, 200 lbs., Sr. 
FS2 – 12 Tyler Woodard, 6-2, 200 lbs., Jr.

SS1 – 21 Hunter Washington, 5-11, 190 lbs., Jr. 
SS2 – 27 Chris Keys Jr., 6-0, 190 lbs., Jr.
– or – 17 Jordan Morant, 6-0, 210 lbs., Sr.

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Texas Longhorns receiver Matthew Golden (2) is grabbed by the facemask by Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Brylan Lanier.

Texas Longhorns receiver Matthew Golden (2) is grabbed by the facemask by Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Brylan Lanier (3) during a game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. / Aaron E. Martinez/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

CB1– 3 Brylan Lanier 6-1 190 Jr.
CB2 – 1 Kelley Jones, 6-4, 195 lbs., R-Fr.
– or – 6 Traveon Wright, 6-0, 180 lbs., R-Fr. 
CB3 – 13 Raydarious Jones, 6-2, 180 lbs., Sr.
– or – 18 Khamauri Rogers, 6-0, 180 lbs., So.

CB1 – 14 Brice Pollock, 6-1, 190 lbs., So. 
CB2 – 4 DeAgo Brumfield, 6-0, 190 lbs., Sr.

K1 – 80 Kyle Ferrie, 6-1, 205 lbs., So. 
K2 – 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr. 
K3 – 49 Marlon Hauck, 6-3, 195 lbs., So.

P1 – 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr. 
P2 – 83 Zach Haynes, 6-1, 195 lbs., Sr. 
P3 – 88 Ethan Pulliam, 6-1, 190 lbs., R-Fr.

KO1 – 49 Marlon Hauck, 6-3, 195 lbs., So.  
KO2 – 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr.

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PR1 – 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr. 

KR1 – 21 Davon Booth, 5-10, 205 lbs., Sr.
– or – 20 Johnnie Daniels, 5-10, 200 lbs., Jr. 
– or – 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr.

Mississippi State Football’s Final Stand: Can the Bulldogs Secure One More Win?

How to Watch: Mississippi State at No. 7 Tennessee

SEC Football Week 10 Review: Mississippi State Finally Ends Losing Streak

What Went Right? Mississippi States Tops UMass

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Tennessee football tickets vs Mississippi State: Best prices for remaining available seats

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Tennessee football tickets vs Mississippi State: Best prices for remaining available seats


Tennessee football tickets are in high demand, both home and away. But you can still get them for the right price.

At Neyland Stadium, UT season tickets are sold out for the 2024 season, and there’s a waiting list of almost 15,000. Single-game tickets through UT’s official ticket office went on sale this summer, but they were snatched up fast.

There are still a few Tennessee football tickets available through Ticketmaster, UT’s official vendor. But the secondary ticket market offers plenty of other options.

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This week, Tennessee plays Mississippi State in their first meeting since 2019. And prices, as expected, are in high demand.

See Tennessee football ticket prices for every game this season

Tennessee tickets vs Mississippi State

No. 7 Tennessee plays Mississippi State at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

Ticket prices start at $122 on Vivid Seats, $145 on StubHub and $148 on SeatGeek for upper-level seats, plus fees, which vary by vendor. And they start at $150 on Ticketmaster and $164 on TickPick, including fees.

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Lower bowl tickets start at $155 on Vivid Seats, $171 on StubHub and $178 on SeatGeek, plus fees. And they start at $181 on Ticketmaster and $206 on TickPick, including fees.

To see a full list of ticket prices, visit Vivid Seats, StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster and TickPick.

Tennessee football schedule 2024

  • Aug. 31: Chattanooga (W, 69-3)
  • Sept. 7: vs. NC State (W, 51-10)
  • Sept. 14: vs. Kent State (W, 71-0)
  • Sept. 21: at Oklahoma (W, 25-15)
  • Oct. 5: at Arkansas (L, 19-14)
  • Oct. 12: Florida (W, 23-17 OT)
  • Oct. 19: No. 11 Alabama (W, 24-17)
  • Nov. 2: Kentucky (W, 28-18)
  • Nov. 9: Mississippi State
  • Nov. 16: at No. 2 Georgia
  • Nov. 23: UTEP
  • Nov. 30: at Vanderbilt

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Mississippi Coding Academy students prepare for upcoming graduation

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Mississippi Coding Academy students prepare for upcoming graduation


BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – A classroom filled with future coders in Biloxi can be found at Mississippi Coding Academy, a place where instructors have one goal in mind — advancing the cyber world.

“Our focus is to give students an opportunity to learn coding and advanced technologies in the way of VR, AR, Artificial Intelligence, web design, and other coding skills,” said Jim St. Clair.

St. Clair is one of the instructors at the academy on the Gulf Coast.

“We have basic guidelines based on High School equivalent to a GED but are negotiable on any of those circumstances, but again, it really gives a chance to those populations that may not be able to enroll in those schools or be faced with high tuition so they could come here in class and learn,” said St. Clair.

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During the course, Jim says students are getting a taste of what’s it like dealing with things like cybersecurity— something that workforces like Keesler and other businesses are looking to explore.

He also says while many students will get offers from different states, his goal is to prepare them to stay in Mississippi to help further the cybersecurity field in the future.

“Mississippi State University has a government-funded cybersecurity program that does a lot of research,” said St. Clair. “Keesler Air Force Base is the home to preliminary cybersecurity training for airmen and especially airmen who specialize in cybersecurity and defend the Air Force networks. We are growing our practice area and education program in cyber security.”

“If all our class gets a job offer that takes them to Silicon Valley, New York City, or Seattle then that’s wonderful. But we would love to build this as a workforce that we’re developing and getting opportunities for in Mississippi.”

The graduation will be held this Friday at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport.

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