Corps hosts public meetings to discuss future operation of the Morganza flood control structure

Published Sept. 23, 2014

NEW ORLEANS – Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District will host a public meeting to discuss proposed operational procedures for the Morganza control structure in future flood events.  Based on lessons learned from the historic Mississippi River Flood of 2011, the Corps of Engineers has developed proposed clarifications to the standing instructions for operation of the Morganza flood control structure.  The Corps is committed to gathering public input on these proposed clarifications to the standing instructions and will be hosting three informational meetings. 

Public meeting details are as follows:

When:  TODAY, Tuesday, September 23, 2014

6:00 to 6:30 p.m. – Open House
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Presentation, Question and Answer Session

Where: St. Martinville

St. Martin Parish Government Building

301 West Port Street

St. Martinville, LA 70582

When:  Tuesday, September 30, 2014

6:00 to 6:30 p.m. – Open House
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Presentation, Question and Answer Session

Where: Morgan City

Morgan City Auditorium

728 Myrtle Street

Morgan City, LA 70380

When:  Thursday, October 2, 2014

6:00 to 6:30 p.m. – Open House
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Presentation, Question and Answer Session

Where: Baton Rouge

Capitol Park Welcome Center

702 River Road

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

The proposed clarifications to the standing instructions are available online for public review at: www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/MississippiRiverFloodControl/MorganzaFloodwayOverview.aspx.

The proposed clarifications to the standing instructions will help ensure safe operation of the Morganza control structure during a flood event and prevent unnecessary stress on mainline Mississippi River levees. As proposed, the Morganza control structure would be operated when a 10-day forecast projects a Mississippi River flow of 1.5 million cubic feet per second and rising past the structure. The structure would be operated to maintain a water stage of 57 feet on the river side of the structure, and a Mississippi River discharge rate that does not exceed 1.5 million cubic feet per second below the floodway.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers learned important lessons from 2011 regarding the safe operation of the Mississippi River and Tributaries System and the Morganza Floodway. The Corps’ goal for operation is to pass the project flood through the Mississippi River and Tributaries System safely, while reducing unnecessary stress on the flood control structures and the mainline MR&T levees. In the event that the Morganza control structure needs to be operated, the Corps will coordinate all emergency operation efforts with our federal, state and local partners before, during and after such events.

Questions and public input on the proposed clarifications can also be addressed to the New Orleans District, Public Affairs Office at AskTheCorps@usace.army.mil or 504-862-1759. Hard copies of the proposed clarifications to the standing instructions can be mailed upon request. 


Contact
Ricky Boyett
504-862-1524
ricky.d.boyett@ussace.army.mil

Release no. 14-052