Corps begins next phase of inspections along Mississippi River

Corps begins next phase of inspections along Mississippi River

NEW ORLEANS – The Mississippi River at the Carrollton gage has risen to 15.0 feet prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District to activate phase II flood fight procedures. During phase II the Corps works with the local levee districts to conduct daily inspections of the Mississippi River levees.

Increased patrols help ensure the Corps and levee districts’ ability to respond quickly to any areas of concern that may develop along the levee system because of the elevated water levels. When the river is above 11 feet at the Carrollton Gage all work within 1,500 feet of the levee must be suspended unless a waiver is granted by the Corps of Engineers and levee district. However, when the river is above 15 feet all work is suspended.

This phase II activation applies to levees along the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to Venice. Current forecasts do not indicate activation of phase II will be required for levees upriver from Baton Rouge. Additionally river projections indicate the need for activating of phase II on the Atchafalaya as early as Wednesday, March 23.

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