What: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District will be opening 10 bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway flood control structure. The opening procedures will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Heavy rain in the Mississippi Valley and rising Mississippi River water stages and flow are prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to open the Bonnet Carré Spillway to keep the volume of Mississippi River flows at New Orleans from exceeding 1.25 million cubic feet per second (cfs).
This will be the tenth time that the structure has been operated since construction was completed in 1931.
When: Monday, May 9, 2011 at 8 a.m.
Where: Bonnet Carré Spillway - 16302 River Road, Norco, LA 70079
Planning to attend? The New Orleans District, Public Affairs Office will be conducting a media briefing at 5:45 a.m. to set guidelines for interviews, identify Subject Matter Experts that will be available, and provide background information prior to opening.
COL Ed Fleming, Commander of the New Orleans District, will host a press conference at 7 a.m. onsite at the Bonnet Carre Spillway.
Media will not be allowed on the structure, but viewing areas will be identified.
Directions to the spillway: The Bonnet Carré Spillway is located about 28 miles above New Orleans. To get there, take I-10 and exit at the I-310 interchange, proceeding south toward the river and the Luling-Destrehan Bridge. Before reaching the river, exit I-310 at the Norco-Destrehan exit. Take the Norco exit, which brings you to River Road. Turn right, toward Norco, and stay on River Road for about 6 miles. Just past Norco's Shell Refinery, the road rises onto the Bonnet Carré Spillway levee; nearby is the Corps' Bonnet Carré office. Proceed to the barricade and identify yourself as a member of the media and you will be granted access.