Mississippi Flooding Threatens to Decimate Black Bears, Unearth Oil Pits

The Mississippi River has already broken the water level record set in 1937 in Natchez, Miss. but shows no sign of abating. At 58.3 feet, the May 2011 watermark beat the previous record of 53.04 by more than 5 feet. The flood also set new records in Caruthersville, Mo., Vicksburg, Miss., and Tiptonville, Tenn.

The flooding is expected to have widespread environmental impacts in Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Louisiana is expecting to be especially hard hit due to the opening of the Morganza spillway.

Toxic Chemical Seepage

As the Mississippi River overflows its banks and inundates farmland, the fertilizers and pesticides seep into the water. Although the water flow is believed to be sufficient to dilute the chemicals to acceptable levels, the situation bears watching.

Petrochemical refineries were shut down when the Morganza Spillway was opened to reduce the risks of petrochemical contamination.

In Grand Bois, La., toxic chemical pits storing benzene, xylene, arsenic and other deadly chemicals could be dispersed by floodwaters, according to an analysis by the Institute for Southern Studies. There are numerous other oil refineries, chemical plants and waste pits that raise similar concerns throughout Louisiana. The Louisiana Bucket Brigade, a nonprofit monitoring industrial pollution estimates the number of Louisiana oil and gas wells at 13,000, while there are 4,000 oil waste pits and 3,600 extraction operations posing a risk as the flood waters rise.

PBS News Hour recently explored some of the environmental impacts that the Mississippi River flooding will cause to Lake Pontchartrain. Fertilizers and other toxins released into Lake Ponchartrain may facilitate the growth of algae blooms which can produce neurotoxins, the report said.

Changes in Wildlife Habitat

Flooding is also expected to affect wildlife habitats. Overflowing fresh water into brackish Lake Pontchartrain will drive away the saltwater fish that normally live there.

The opening of the Morganza spillway will presumably flood the Atchafalaya Basin, 3,000 square miles of swamp that provides habitat for the endangered Louisiana black bear as well as deer, bobcat, beaver, coyote, mink, fox, alligator, muskrat, hog, armadillo, opossum, and raccoon.

The Louisiana black bear population is estimated at only 500 to 1,000. The timing of the flood couldn't be worse, with birthing season at hand. The baby bears may get swept up in floodwaters, unable to escape to higher ground.

The National Wildlife Federation says the loss of habitat will increase conflicts between humans and wildlife, citing the recent shooting of a 10 foot alligator and widespread concern about poisonous snakes invading communities.