Random MS river question

Not sure but I believe coastal erosion would be a thing of the past if old muddy was allowed to meander like it did for thousand of years before we built levees to control it.

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Salt water would overwhelming those systems.

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Would salt water push all the way up to where the river splits off to the Atchafalaya? I remember reading somewhere that the bed of the river is below sea level all the way up to Natchez or vicksburg.

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So if the corps let the river divert back to its proper course

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The river left unmanaged had an ever changing course from the MS delta south. So, not sure how you'd define its proper course. But, the flood damage and challenge for commercial navigation would be a disaster.

My guess to the beaches would be like those above would be no to your question. And, it may even make the beach line worse if left unmanaged. Interesting question though, I'd never thought about it either.

My AI research assistant attributes the difference between LA and MS beaches compared to FL and AL gulf coast beaches to a variety of geological and human related activities:

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Sand quality: Florida and Alabama beaches often have finer, whiter sand due to their geological composition affecting sediment sources and coastal processes.

Water clarity: The waters off the Florida Gulf coast are typically clearer and have better water quality than those near the Mississippi River delta region, which can experience more turbidity and discoloration.

Development: Florida and Alabama have invested more heavily in beach tourism infrastructure, resulting in more amenities and attractions.

Coastal geography: Florida's and Alabama's coastlines have more barrier islands and peninsulas, creating more sheltered beach areas.

Environmental factors: Louisiana and Mississippi coasts are more affected by outflow from the Mississippi River, which can impact water quality and clarity.

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You'd only be moving the discharge from NOLA to Morgan City. I don't think that would affect the clarity of the Miss Gulf coast very much.

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Pearl, wolf, Jourdan, Biloxi, Pascagoula, and Alabama rivers emptying nearby.

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Yep. The Mississippi has little to do with water clarity on the Mississippi coast. Levees keep the river trapped until it gets much further south.

The MS River Basin Model is in Clinton, its pretty impressive when visiting it in person. Its about 200 acres in size and tons and tons of concrete. WWII German POW's even had a hand in constructing it. Its mostly grown up now, but the wife and I went out there a few months ago and walked around it. I would have loved to seen it in its heyday and actually working

fun fact, MS beach are man made.