2011 Mississippi River floods and this connection implies persistence of dry conditions for the next 2 to 3 years. During the 2011 floods, concerns were raised that the Mississippi might divert its main channel into the Atchafalaya Basin if the Old River Control Structure, the Morganza Spillway, or nearby levees failed, or into Lake Pontchartrain if the Bonnet Carré Spillway or adjacent levees failed. Jeff Masters of the "Weather Underground" noted that failure of the Old River Control Structure "would be a serious blow to the U.S. economy, and the great Mississippi flood of 2011 will give [this structure] its most severe test ever."
6th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Mason's Ford. Big Black River, June 9. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4–10. Near Baker's Creek July 7. Bolton's Station July 8 (detachment). Near Clinton July 8 (detachment). Near Jackson and near Clinton July 9 (detachment). Siege of Jackson July 10–17. Brookhaven July 18 (detachment). Near Morganza, La., September 8. Atchafalaya September 8–9. Hornersville, Mo., September 20 (2nd Battalion). Sterling's Farm, on Bayou Fordoche, near Morganza, September 27. Western Louisiana Campaign October 3-November 30. Reconnaissance toward Opelousas October 20. Opelousas, Barre Landing, October 21. Washington October 24. Bayou Bourbeaux November