Draining the Gulf of Mexico to prevent hurricanes from reaching the US?

  • Thread starter Count Iblis
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In summary, the idea of building a dam from Florida to Cuba and from Cuba to Yucatan and draining the water out is not feasible due to various factors including economic loss, environmental impacts, and engineering challenges. Additionally, it would cause significant harm to the Gulf of Mexico and the surrounding areas, making it an impractical and unrealistic idea. The conversation also touches on potential solutions and the potential consequences of such a project.
  • #1
Count Iblis
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Why not build a dam from Florida to Cuba and from Cuba to Yucatan and then pump all the water out?
 
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  • #2
You've got to be joking.
 
  • #3
Evo said:
You've got to be joking.

Well, my thinking was that the gap from Yucatan to Cuba isn't that big. I'm not sure how deep the water is there. And it isn't that far from Cuba to Florida. Of course, it will be engineering on a huge scale, but it seems that it could be done in principle...
 
  • #4
I'm with evo - you got a spare quadrillion dollars?

There is a concept - just because it is possible does not not make it sensible. Plus it would flood Holland. Mauritius would declare war on you... you'd raise sea level about 3m, enough to turn Maurtius into an underwater archipelago. The lawyers in Mahhattan would make you PAY because most of the "Island" is < 3 m above sea level.
 
  • #5
Count Iblis said:
Why not build a dam from Florida to Cuba and from Cuba to Yucatan and then pump all the water out?

Actually, I find it an interesting "thinking outside of the box" idea. Impractical in the end, but valid as a brainstorming idea.

I think the main practical problem is the net economic loss to the Gulf states in terms of commerce. You would have to construct commercial harbors at multiple points along the Gulf Dam, and provide ground transport (rail or highway) of the goods that normally flow into the Gulf state harbors.

Well, there are also the pesky Environmental Impact Report issues to consider... herding all the sea creatures out of the dam area would be a challenge...
 
  • #6
berkeman said:
Well, there are also the pesky Environmental Impact Report issues to consider... herding all the sea creatures out of the dam area would be a challenge...
The environmental and economic impacts would vastly exceed the costs of the project (which would be astronomically high). There would obviously be no fisheries in the Gulf, but the impact goes far beyond that. The Gulf Stream emanates from the Gulf of Mexico. Draining the Gulf of Mexico would kill vast chunks of the entire Atlantic and would make western Europe much less habitable. On the plus side, we wouldn't have to worry about economic competition from that pesky Euro.
 
  • #7
This is beyond ridiculous, for the reasons already stated and then some (including communities with their entire economy based on tourism to their beaches suddenly having no beaches). This certainly isn't a thread that belongs in the Earth forum, so I'm locking it. If one of the engineering mentors wants to continue allowing discussion of the engineering challenges of a large scale dam construction project while recognizing this is a completely impractical scenario, it may get moved to engineering and unlocked.
 

FAQ: Draining the Gulf of Mexico to prevent hurricanes from reaching the US?

What is the proposed plan for draining the Gulf of Mexico?

The proposed plan for draining the Gulf of Mexico to prevent hurricanes from reaching the US is to construct a massive network of pumps and canals that would redirect the warm, surface waters of the Gulf into the deep, colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This would theoretically decrease the surface temperature of the Gulf and reduce the energy available for hurricanes to form.

Is draining the Gulf of Mexico a feasible solution to prevent hurricanes?

Currently, draining the Gulf of Mexico is not considered a feasible solution for preventing hurricanes. The amount of energy required to pump and redirect such a large body of water would be immense and impractical. Additionally, the Gulf serves as an important ecosystem and any drastic changes to its ecosystem could have detrimental effects on marine life and the environment.

What are the potential consequences of draining the Gulf of Mexico?

Draining the Gulf of Mexico would have significant consequences on the environment, economy, and communities that rely on the Gulf. It could disrupt marine life and ecosystems, impact fishing and tourism industries, and potentially change weather patterns in the region. It could also have unforeseen consequences on global ocean currents and climate.

Has this idea been tested or implemented before?

No, draining the Gulf of Mexico to prevent hurricanes from reaching the US has not been tested or implemented before. While there have been attempts to modify weather patterns through cloud seeding and other methods, no large-scale attempts to drain a body of water for this purpose have been made.

What are some alternative solutions to prevent hurricanes from reaching the US?

There are a variety of alternative solutions that are currently being explored to prevent hurricanes from reaching the US. These include building stronger infrastructure and sea barriers, improving early warning systems, and implementing sustainable land and water management practices. Additionally, efforts to mitigate climate change, which is believed to contribute to the intensity and frequency of hurricanes, are also being pursued.

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