Using What We Have: Optimizing Sediment Management in Mississippi River Delta Restoration to Improve the Economic Viability of the Nation

Abstract

Management practices on the Mississippi River have reduced the amount of sediment in the river by approximately half. Some have questioned whether the current sediment load in the river is sufficient for restoration of the delta. The Mississippi River does not now, nor has it ever supplied enough sediment to continuously sustain the entire Mississippi Delta coastline. Nevertheless, the available sediment supply is still huge, and so we must use this valuable resource efficiently and effectively.