Can't say for sure but being a Louisiana boy and having seen a few fish kills after hurricanes, might be low oxygen from too much plant matter getting blown into the water causing decomposition microbes to go crazy.
I agree if they don't build the whole thing at minimum the inner loop should be completed. Not sure if if it's possible but maybe some partnership between the TIRZs and METRO to improve transit inside the loop is the only way this will get done. I doubt current mayor and METRO board members he appointed will allow something like this.
For a mayor that touted how transparent he would be why does he keep running to AG's office to withhold information. Yes he released a preliminary report. Maybe he needs more time to finesse the final report to say the higher speeds on nearby streets isn't worth it and our broke city will be spending millions to rip out the changes on 11th street.