Letter: Not enough reporting of Mississippi river's value

In the "River Cities" today, the Mississippi was down 0.01 inches. Smack through the center of our Quad-Cities living room runs one of the largest, storied rivers in the world but "up/down 0.01" is the sole local report about the Mississippi most days, except flood time. Even online searching yields little information about the Mississippi's commercial value to our area.

Still, the Alabama Reflector has reported from Dubuque about commercial concerns and the Army Corps of Engineers recognizes the river's value. The chief of operations for the Corps' St. Louis District has said, "It's a major artery to move goods and commerce in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner." Apparently, large quantities of agricultural products, millions of barrels of crude oil and other petroleum products do move on the river monthly, as does much of the nation's exports of thermal coal, which fuels power plants.

"Corn Belt Ports" and Rock Island's "Regional Port District" exist but whatever part they or Quad-Cities entities play in local river commerce is murky. And now comes an 'Iowa County Port Authority' to do what?

Five years ago, in 2019, the Waterways Journal reported, "Quad Cities Are Loaded With Port Potential." Perhaps so but ask any local resident today about the Mississippi's value and usefulness for Quad-Cities business and commerce and chances are that you'll get a blank look. Commercial river traffic may be prodigious and of great worth, but regular reporting of its magnitude and value to the area seems meager, at best.

William Seaver