What: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is hosting a press conference to discuss the opening of the Morganza Floodway. New Orleans District Commander Col. Ed Fleming will make opening remarks and answer questions for approximately 15 minutes.
When: Saturday, May 14, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Morganza Floodway, 2084 Hwy 1, Batchelor, LA, 70715
Background Info: On Friday, May 13, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made the decision to open the Morganza Floodway. The trigger to operate the floodway is when river flows reach a level of 1.5 million cubic feet per second at Red River Landing and are projected to continue rising. It will be a slow opening.
Operation of the structure would relieve pressure on local levees, lower the river stage, and reduce the velocity of the river current below Point Coupee. Given current flow rate predictions, which are subject to change, the Corps is anticipating opening the floodway to allow for up to 150,000 cfs of water to pass through the structure at peak flow. The spillway will remain open until the river flow falls below 1.5 million cfs and is projected to continue decreasing.
The Morganza Floodway is located 186 river miles above New Orleans on the west bank of the river in Pointe Coupee Parish. Intended to operate during emergency flooding, the purpose of the Floodway is to divert excess floodwater from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya Basin. It was constructed in and has only been operated once, in 1973, to relieve pressure on the Low Sill Structure at the Old River Control Structure.
Planning to attend? Please call the Public Affairs Office at 225-492-2619, or email rachel.rodi@usace.army.mil or rickey.boyett@usace.army.mil
Driving directions: If coming from New Roads, LA, from False River Rd. turn left onto Hospital Rd. Follow Hospital Rd. until it ends at Hwy 1 (a stoplight). Make a left at the stoplight, and follow Hwy 1 until you reach the Morganza Floodway.