How leveeing the Mississippi River is destroying Louisiana's vital wetlands and bird habitats.

Nature · Published 29 September 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Albertine Kimble, a lifelong resident and duck hunter in Plaquemines Parish, explains the environmental consequences of altering the Mississippi River's natural flow. Through her intimate knowledge of the local wetlands, she reveals how human engineering is reshaping the landscape and threatening the future of the Mississippi Flyway.

The construction of levees has fundamentally changed the Mississippi River, preventing it from following its natural path. By restricting the river's movement, these structures have cut off the surrounding wetlands from the essential sediment and nutrients they require to remain healthy and sustainable.

As these marshes deteriorate, the impact extends beyond the local ecosystem. The disruption of the Mississippi Flyway, a critical bird migration route, threatens wildlife populations. Furthermore, Kimble suggests that the loss of these protective wetlands could leave New Orleans increasingly vulnerable to environmental risks.

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