Corps Ends LMR Flood Fight Operations

The Mississippi River in New Orleans just wrapped up close to six months above 11 feet at the Carrollton Gage, the trigger point for Phase 1 flood fight operations on the river. The New Orleans Engineer District announced the end of its flood fight efforts June 30.

The Corps began phase one flood fight measures January 9, when the river crept above 11 feet. In all, the river in New Orleans was above 15 feet, the trigger point for Phase 2 operations, for 93 days. Flood fight conditions involve both levee inspections and construction restrictions within 1,500 feet of the river levees.

This year’s high-water season also included operation of the Bonnet Carré Spillway, located about 30 miles above New Orleans. The spillway diverts water from the river northward to Lake Pontchartrain and eventually to the Gulf of Mexico. The spillway opened April 3 and closed May 1 for a relatively brief 29-day operation. In 2019, by comparison, the spillway was open for a total of 123 days.

“Now that the river is below 11 feet at the Carrollton Gage, these restrictions are lifted,” the district said in a statement. “Permit holders and residents are advised to contact their local levee districts for detailed information regarding their projects.”

The Corps now, in partnership with the state of Louisiana and local levee boards, will turn its attention to post-flood inspections and work to repair and reset levees on both the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers.