Article Summary

The 1987 New Yorker article "Atchafalaya" by John McPhee explores the complex relationship between human engineering and the Mississippi River system, focusing on the Atchafalaya River and the Old River Control Structure.

The piece details how the Mississippi River has been gradually shifting its course towards the Atchafalaya Basin, a process that would naturally occur over time. However, this shift threatens to divert the Mississippi away from New Orleans and Baton Rouge, potentially devastating these cities economically.

To prevent this, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Old River Control Structure in the 1960s. This massive feat of engineering aims to regulate the flow of water between the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya, maintaining a delicate balance that keeps the Mississippi on its current course.

McPhee highlights the ongoing struggle between nature and human intervention, describing how the structure nearly failed during a 1973 flood. He also discusses the broader implications of attempts to control one of the world's great rivers, including environmental impacts and the potential for catastrophic failure.

The article weaves together historical context, geological processes, and engineering challenges, presenting a nuanced view of river management. It raises questions about the sustainability of such large-scale interventions and the long-term consequences of attempting to control natural processes.

Through vivid descriptions and interviews with key figures, McPhee crafts a narrative that is both informative and thought-provoking, illustrating the ongoing tension between human needs and the powerful forces of nature in shaping the landscape of southern Louisiana.