NEW ORLEANS, LA – On Saturday morning, October 5th, at 8:00 am, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed the Bayou Segnette sector gate, which is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Westwego, LA. This structure was operated as part of the Greater New Orleans Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System and in accordance with its water control manual. Once closed, this structure provides the 100-year level of risk reduction as part of the larger perimeter system.
As a result of the forecasted conditions from TS Karen, activity in the impacted waterways and other considerations, Col. Richard Hansen, New Orleans District Commander, ordered the Bayou Segnette gate to be closed as an emergency response measure.
Closures were conducted in coordination with the Non-Federal sponsor (the State of Louisiana, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board), SLFPA-West, the impacted parishes, navigation industry and other stakeholders.
The Corps will continue to work closely with its Non-Federal, SLFPA-W, other Federal agencies, city and local parish officials, and navigation interests to reduce the risk to life and property and take the necessary actions to improve the public’s safety.
Bayou Segnette Complex (including Company Canal):
· Operational procedures at the Company Canal call for gates to be closed when a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued for Barataria Bay, or when the water level reaches 2.0 feet
· Closing the sector gate at the canal takes approximately one minute. Upon its closure, water can be pumped around the gate.
· The Corps’ pumps currently have a maximum combined capacity of approximately 400 cubic feet per second at the Bayou Segnette Complex pump station.