Scientists expect larger Gulf dead zone due to flooding
Published: Jun. 14, 2011 at 3:07 PM CDT|Updated: Jun. 20, 2011 at 8:28 AM CDT
UNDATED - Scientists are predicting the annual dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico will be larger than average this year due to the extreme flooding of the Mississippi River.
Experts with the US Geological Society (USGS) said the area could measure between 8,500 and 9,421 square miles, an area about the size of New Hampshire.
The average size of the zone over the past five years has been about 6,000 square miles.
According to scientists, the stream-flow rates of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers in May were nearly double normal conditions.
The actual size of the dead zone will be released after a survey in late July and early August.
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