The Mississippi and it's connections are the reason that the USA had a strong start and allowed a lot of basically free transport of goods for centuries. Also why 80% of the country live on the east side of the Rockies. This also nips all those arguments about moving water west to stop their drought. The water does not exist, and will likely not ever exist. Carefully controlled usage likely needs to be mandated, Big Ag will resist it either way. This is about not starving at this point.
The suggestions to send the Mississippi River water westward so that we don’t have to stop growing senseless almonds and alfalfa in California was always absurd. I can’t believe anyone ever took that seriously.