Corps closes final bays at Bonnet Carré Spillway

Published June 20, 2011

NEW ORLEANS— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District began closing the final 20 bays on the Bonnet Carre Spillway flood control structure this morning; bays were first opened on May 9. The recreational areas of the spillway will be open once all bays are closed; however, members of the public should use caution when accessing the area and be aware of water hazards, wildlife, such as snakes and alligators, as well as excessive heat and humidity.

Personal Floatation Devices are required to be worn while in a boat and should be worn while
walking/wading in or around waterways and pools of water in the spillway. Members of the public are advised to stay out of areas of swift current to prevent the possibility of being pulled into the water. Please contact a park ranger or the park office if wildlife poses a danger to yourself or others.

The Corps of Engineers will begin to issue special use permits allowing public access of all terrain vehicles (ATV’s) throughout the spillway for recreational fishing and crawfishing for one month starting on Friday, June 24th. ATV’s will be permitted only for crawfishing, fishing and crabbing in an effort to accommodate the public demand. These special use permits will allow access to areas that were impacted during the recent spillway opening.

Road conditions are expected to be poor and the use of ATV’s will reduce further road damage. Roads will eventually be repaired and rocked for car and truck access. ATV operators and passengers must wear a DOT approved helmet and must possess the necessary gear for fishing.

ATV’s will not be permitted on levees or in the St. Charles Parish recreation and campground area. Joyriding will not be permitted and violators will be issued citations. The designated ATV areas will be opened for general ATV riding as soon as trail repairs are completed.

A special use permit and map showing designated parking areas can be obtained at the Bonnet
Carré Spillway office or from one of the Corps park rangers. Please contact Chris Brantley, Bonnet Carre Spillway Project Manager, with any further questions at (985)764-7484.

For more information and directions to the spillway, please visit the Corps recreation program site at www.mvn.usace.army.mil/recreation.


Contact
Rachel Rodi
504-862-2587
rachel.rodi@usace.army.mil

Release no. 11-044