NEW ORLEANS – The Corps activated the first phase of flood fight procedures to monitor levees along the Mississippi River on Monday, March 14.
Closely coordinating efforts with the local levee authorities, the New Orleans District will begin patrolling the levees along the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to Venice this week and will continue to do so twice weekly while the river remains high.
Phase one is a proactive measure that is triggered when the Mississippi River reaches 11 feet and is forecast to continue to rise. The increased patrols help ensure the ability to respond quickly to any problem areas that may develop along the levee system because of the elevated water levels.
The current water level at the Carrollton Gage is 11.5 feet. The current National Weather Service forecast crest is 14.5 feet at the Carrollton Gage on April 2.
Phase one activation on the Atchafalaya and the remaining parts of the Mississippi River System in the vicinity of Old River and South towards Baton Rouge are expected to follow within the next couple of weeks. With the current forecast, the Corps does not anticipate opening the Bonnet Carré Spillway at this time.
Release no. 11-095