NEW ORLEANS – Southeasterly winds and heavy rainfall associated with the low pressure system over the area have increased water in both the Company and Harvey canals, prompting the New Orleans District, in coordination with Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – West and Jefferson Parish, to close the gates at each canal.
The Corps of Engineers is working closely with SLFPA-W and Jefferson Parish to increase public safety to local homes and businesses.
At Company, the barge gate was closed around 10:30 a.m. The gate takes approximately two hours to close and, once closed, the levee authority can pump water around the gate to maintain an elevation of 2 feet in the canal.
The sector gates on the Harvey Canal take 8 - 10 minutes to close and were closed around 12:30 p.m. today. Even with the gate closed, the Jefferson Parish Drainage Department can still pump water around the gate with the Cousins Pump Station, ensuring public safety by evacuating rainfall while still maintaining the safe elevation of 2 feet in the Harvey Canal north of the floodgate. The Harvey Lock will also remain closed while the floodgate is closed.
The Corps’ Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor the canal conditions 24 hours a day while the gates remain closed.
Release no. 10-059