Science & Technology at Scientific American.com Drowning New Orleans -- [ CIVIL ENGINEERING ] -- A major hurricane could swamp New Orleans under 20 feet of water, killing thousands. Human activities along the Mississippi River have dramatically increased the risk, and now only massive reengineering of southeastern Louisiana can save the city A major hurricane could swamp New Orleans under 20 feet of water, killing thousands. Human activities along the Mississippi River have dramatically increased the risk, and now only massive reengineering of southeastern Louisiana can save the city drowningfloodinghurricanekatrinaneworleans By skylightsin TO REVIEW LATER > 9-04-05with 9-04-05civildrowningengineeringhurricanemajororleansreview