NEW ORLEANS – Beginning next week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District will host public meetings to discuss proposed operational procedures for the Morganza control structure in future flood events. Based on lessons learned from the historic Mississippi River Flood of 2011, the Corps of Engineers has developed proposed clarifications to the standing instructions for operation of the Morganza flood control structure. The Corps is committed to gathering public input on these proposed clarifications to the standing instructions and will be hosting three informational meetings.
Public meeting details are as follows:
When: Tuesday, September 23, 2014
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. – Open House
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Presentation, Question and Answer Session
Where: St. Martinville
St. Martin Parish Government Building
301 West Port Street
St. Martinville, LA 70582
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When: Tuesday, September 30, 2014
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. – Open House
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Presentation, Question and Answer Session
Where: Morgan City
Morgan City Auditorium
728 Myrtle Street
Morgan City, LA 70380
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When: Thursday, October 2, 2014
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. – Open House
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Presentation, Question and Answer Session
Where: Baton Rouge
Capitol Park Welcome Center
702 River Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
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The proposed clarifications to the standing instructions are available online for public review at: www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/MississippiRiverFloodControl/MorganzaFloodwayOverview.aspx.
The proposed clarifications to the standing instructions will help ensure safe operation of the Morganza control structure during a flood event and prevent unnecessary stress on mainline Mississippi River levees. As proposed, the Morganza control structure would be operated when a 10-day forecast projects a Mississippi River flow of 1.5 million cubic feet per second and rising past the structure. The structure would be operated to maintain a water stage of 57 feet on the river side of the structure, and a Mississippi River discharge rate that does not exceed 1.5 million cubic feet per second below the floodway.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers learned important lessons from 2011 regarding the safe operation of the Mississippi River and Tributaries System and the Morganza Floodway. The Corps’ goal for operation is to pass the project flood through the Mississippi River and Tributaries System safely, while reducing unnecessary stress on the flood control structures and the mainline MR&T levees. In the event that the Morganza control structure needs to be operated, the Corps will coordinate all emergency operation efforts with our federal, state and local partners before, during and after such events.
Questions and public input on the proposed clarifications can also be addressed to the New Orleans District, Public Affairs Office at AskTheCorps@usace.army.mil or 504-862-1759. Hard copies of the proposed clarifications to the standing instructions can be mailed upon request.