NEW ORLEANS – The Corps has reactivated the first phase of flood fight procedures today to monitor levees along the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers.
Closely coordinating efforts with the local levee authorities, the New Orleans District is patrolling the levees and will continue to do so while the rivers remains high.
Phase one was temporarily suspended April 21 on the Mississippi when the river dropped below 11 feet on the Carrollton Gauge, and April 29 on the Atchafalaya, when the river dropped below 4 feet at the Morgan City Gauge.
Inspections are proactive measures triggered when the Mississippi River reaches 11 feet at the Carrollton Gauge or the Atchafalaya River reaches 4 feet on the Morgan City Gage and forecast to continue to rise. The increased patrols help ensure our ability to quickly respond to any problem areas that may develop along the levee system because of the elevated water levels.
The current water level at the Carrollton Gage is 11.58 feet and Morgan City is 4.42 feet. The current National Weather Service crest forecast is 13 feet at the Carrollton Gage May 21. The forecast also shows Morgan City rising to 5.8 feet by May 18.
With the current forecast, the Corps does not anticipate opening the Bonnet Carré Spillway at this time.
Release no. 10-079