Atchafalaya pre-discussion assignment

Due Friday, January 26

Due by e-mail before class on Friday, Jan. 26

1. Describe how Louisiana has changed through recent geologic time -- how did the Mississippi delta form?

2. How have humans changed the Mississippi River and the Mississippi delta?

3. What is the Atchafalaya?

4. Why can't the Atchafalaya just be plugged permanently?

5. In your opinion, what is the wildest (or most surprising) story you read about the Old River Control structure or the Atchafalaya or the Mississippi delta?

6. What is happening to land elevations in New Orleans and coastal Louisiana? What is happening to the wetlands?

7. Why do you think McPhee included the description of fishing with the Cajuns, or of "Kent"?

8. What do you think of Morgan City?