With River Above 11 Feet, Corps Begins Levee Inspections

The New Orleans Engineer District announced today (November 2) that the agency has begun phase 1 flood fight measures now that the Mississippi River has risen above 11 feet at the Carrollton gauge.

According to the National Weather Service, the Mississippi River at the foot of Carrollton Avenue in New Orleans ticked above 11 feet on October 24. It reached 11.73 feet on November 1 before dropping back to around 11 feet the following day.

According to the Corps and the National Weather Service, the river is expected to hover between 11 feet and 11.5 feet for the next three weeks, or until about November 23.

Phase 1 flood fight involves increased patrols to “help ensure our ability to respond quickly to any problem areas that may develop along the levee system because of the elevated water levels,” the Corps said in a statement. A river stage of 11 feet and rising also means the transport of heavy loads over levees, disturbance of grass covering levees and subsurface work within 1,500 feet of the levee are all prohibited. Waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis. Permit holders may contact the appropriate levee district for more information.

Phase 2 flood fight procedures—not anticipated in this case—are triggered when the Mississippi River at the Carrollton gauge rises above 15 feet.