Flood control engineering has probably worsened flooding in Louisiana and Mississippi , according to new research. The study draws on the past 150 years ’ worth of data based on tree rings and oxbow lake sediment and concludes that the Mississippi River has flooded more frequently over the past 150 years than during any previous period. Copyright 2020 Although climate change may be responsible for the remaining 75% of the increase, engineering, including the construction of levees and straight navigation channels, has probably caused 25% .
Flood control engineering has probably worsened flooding in Louisiana and Mississippi , according to new research. The study draws on the past 150 years ’ worth of data based on tree rings and oxbow lake sediment and concludes that the Mississippi River has flooded more frequently over the past 150 years than during any previous period. Although climate change may be responsible for the remaining 75% of the increase, engineering, including the construction of levees and straight navigation channels, has probably caused 25% .