The Army Corps of Engineers began opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway today to protect New Orleans levees from the rising Mississippi River. For the first time ever, it’s the third straight year the flood structure has been utilized.
Colonel Stephen Murphy says opening bays on the spillway diverts part of the river’s flow away from New Orleans.
“We do not consider operation of the Spillway until we see that the River will reach maximum capacity, and we will only divert the minimum amount of water required to maintain that level,” says Murphy.
Murphy says it’s been another tough year for the River. To date, they’ve been in a phase one flood fight for 87 of the 93 days this calendar year.
“Of this 87-day flood fight we have been in phase two, meaning the river has been at least fifteen feet at the Carrolton Gauge for 51 days,” says Murphy.
COVID-19 may have many workers staying home, but Murphy says levee workers are essential.
“The local levee districts also have boots on the ground inspecting every mile of the levee system every day, rain or shine, even in spite of COVID-19,” says Murphy.
Comments