Mississippi River drought, low waters caused ongoing economic loss

The Mississippi River reached its shallowest level in 10 years in October.

“People’s backyard pools are deeper,” towboat captain Nick Craycraft said at the time.

The river drains 41% of the U.S. and parts of Canada, said Justin Giles, head of hydraulics for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Vicksburg, Mississippi, office. Widespread drought meant some parts of the river fell to their lowest water levels ever recorded.