NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District has awarded a $1.04 million contract to repair the Morganza Control Structure’s piezometers and relief wells that were damaged during last year’s record Mississippi River flood. The contract was awarded to Merrick Construction, L.L.C., a Louisiana-based small business. Construction is scheduled to begin in August and be completed by February 2013.
“The award of this contract is a significant milestone in restoring the Morganza Control Structure to its pre-2011 condition,” said Russell Beauvais, operations manager for the Morganza Control Structure. “We are now able to begin making repairs and help ensure that the Corps can successfully pass the next project flood.”
The Morganza Control Structure is located north of the town of Morganza, La., and is a component of the Morganza Floodway, which diverts excess Mississippi River floodwaters into the Atchafalaya Basin during a flood event. During the 2011 flood, the Morganza Control Structure was operated from May 14 until July 7 and, at its peak, passed as much as 182,000 cubic feet of water per second through 17 gate bays.
As a result of this operation, approximately 90 percent of the piezometers and relief wells were damaged. Piezometers are required to monitor pressure and analyze the stability of the stilling basin, which prevents erosion on the protected side of the structure. The relief wells provide an outlet for excessive pressure on the structure. These features ensure that the Corps can successfully monitor and alleviate any excess pressure on the Morganza Control Structure during operation.
Repair of the structure’s piezometers and relief wells was not only a high priority for the New Orleans District, but also for the entire Mississippi Valley Division, ranking 12th among all Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) critical repair projects between Cape Girardeau, Mo., and the mouth of the Mississippi River.
To date, the New Orleans District has obligated $150 million in repairing damages and restoring projects along the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers since the 2011 emergency flood response. The vast majority of critical repair work is scheduled to be initiated through 2013.
Release no. 12-027