The New Orleans District has activated Phase 1.
Raven Richard
Meteorologist
Arielle Brumfield
Reporter
Army Corps of Engineers conducts test of spillway as river levels continue to rise
The New Orleans District has activated Phase 1.
OUT THERE, JIM. ESPECIALLY MINE. BUT YOU KNOW, SPEAKING OF THE RAINFALL, MANY ARE KEEPING A VERY CLOSE EYE ON THE RISING MISSISSIPPI RIVER, WHICH IS PROMPTING EXTRA ATTENTION TODAY FROM THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, WHICH IS CONDUCTING A TESTING OF THE OPENING OF THE. BONNET CARRE SPILLWAY WDSU’S. ARIELLE BRUMFIELD IS LIVE FOR US, AS CREWS DO THAT TEST, AND WHETHER OR NOT WE COULD SEE EITHER A FULL OR PARTIAL OPENING. ARIELLE. WELL, RANDI NO DATE SET JUST YET. AS FAR AS WHEN THE BONNET CARRE SPILLWAY SPILLWAY WILL OFFICIALLY BE OPEN. THEY ARE TESTING. THEY’VE BEEN DOING IT FOR THE LAST TWO HOURS, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THESE CARTS COMING IN RIGHT NOW. WE’RE TOLD THIS TESTING IS JUST BEING DONE SO THAT CREWS ARE REALLY COMFORTABLE WHEN WE GET TO THAT POINT OF OFFICIALLY OPENING. NOW, RIGHT NOW, WE’RE TOLD RIVER LEVELS ARE AROUND 14.2FT. OFFICIALS SAY THE RIVER WOULD NEED TO GET TO ABOUT 16 TO 17FT TO WHEN THEY WOULD OFFICIALLY OPEN THE SPILLWAY. WE’RE TOLD IT’S POSSIBLE THAT WE’LL SEE THOSE NUMBERS CLOSER TO AROUND APRIL 30TH. NOW THIS TESTING IS HAPPENING, JUST IN CASE. THE FLOW OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BECOMES FASTER. AND AND THIS IS TO JUST MITIGATE SOME OF THAT FLOODING CONCERNS THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY SEE IN THE NEW ORLEANS AREA. WE’VE SEEN ABOUT SIX PEOPLE ON TWO DIFFERENT CREWS WORKING, ALTERNATING THE TESTING OF THIS GATE. THEY’RE JUST MAKING SURE THAT THE CREWS ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS CRANE. WHEN IT COMES TIME TO OPENING THE SPILLWAY. TAKE A LISTEN. WE’RE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON IT. WE’RE LOOKING FOR A FLOW EXCEEDING 1.2 5,000,000 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND. RIGHT NOW, THAT IS IN THE FORECAST. WE HAVE NOT MADE A RECOMMENDATION TO OPERATE THE SPILLWAY. HOWEVER, IT’S POSSIBLE. AT THIS TIME THE CREWS WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WE DON’T KNOW WHEN THEY’RE GOING TO FINISH, BUT WE ARE TOLD BY OFFICIALS THAT WHEN THEY DO RELEASE SOME OF THIS WATER FROM THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, THEY DO RUN TESTS IN THE RIVER TO MAKE SURE THEY CATCH ANY OF THOSE ENDANGERED SPECIES, AND THEY THROW THE
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Army Corps of Engineers conducts test of spillway as river levels continue to rise
The New Orleans District has activated Phase 1.
Raven Richard
Meteorologist
Arielle Brumfield
Reporter
Flooding concerns continue along the Mississippi River because of recent rains up north. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, has activated its Phase 1 flood flight procedures because river levels at the Carrollton Gage in New Orleans are now at 14.15 feet. Because of this, levees will be monitored twice a week until water levels drop below 11 feet. The Army Corps of Engineers began testing the spillway Monday in the event of a partial opening later this week. Levels at the Carrollton Gage are expected to rise to 16.5 feet by Wednesday, April 30. At this height, river levels are still below the minor flood stage. Levels will begin falling shortly after. The Mississippi River at Baton Rouge is currently in the minor stage at 38.31 feet. It is expected to reach major flood stage, 40.7 feet, by Friday evening. At this level, older parts of LSU's campus will flood, but other parts of the campus and Baton Rouge will be protected. In the River Parishes, the Mississippi River at Donaldsonville is currently in the minor stage at 27.32 feet and will crest at 29.5 feet by Saturday afternoon. Continuing in the River Parishes, the Mississippi River at Reserve is currently in the below-action stage at 20.7 feet. It is expected to reach the minor stage by Saturday at 23 feet. At that stage, navigation on the river becomes more difficult. No impacts are expected for the city of New Orleans at this time. Minor flood stage is 17 feet. At this stage, river navigation becomes more difficult. Major flood stage is at 20 feet. At this stage, the city of New Orleans is at risk of flooding, but would be protected by levees and floodwalls. Phase 1 was last activated from Feb. 24 to March 13.
Flooding concerns continue along the Mississippi River because of recent rains up north.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, has activated its Phase 1 flood flight procedures because river levels at the Carrollton Gage in New Orleans are now at 14.15 feet. Because of this, levees will be monitored twice a week until water levels drop below 11 feet.
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The Army Corps of Engineers began testing the spillway Monday in the event of a partial opening later this week.
Levels at the Carrollton Gage are expected to rise to 16.5 feet by Wednesday, April 30. At this height, river levels are still below the minor flood stage. Levels will begin falling shortly after.
Hearst Owned
The Mississippi River at Baton Rouge is currently in the minor stage at 38.31 feet. It is expected to reach major flood stage, 40.7 feet, by Friday evening. At this level, older parts of LSU's campus will flood, but other parts of the campus and Baton Rouge will be protected.
Hearst Owned
In the River Parishes, the Mississippi River at Donaldsonville is currently in the minor stage at 27.32 feet and will crest at 29.5 feet by Saturday afternoon.
Hearst Owned
Continuing in the River Parishes, the Mississippi River at Reserve is currently in the below-action stage at 20.7 feet. It is expected to reach the minor stage by Saturday at 23 feet. At that stage, navigation on the river becomes more difficult.
Hearst Owned
No impacts are expected for the city of New Orleans at this time.
- Minor flood stage is 17 feet. At this stage, river navigation becomes more difficult.
- Major flood stage is at 20 feet. At this stage, the city of New Orleans is at risk of flooding, but would be protected by levees and floodwalls.
- Phase 1 was last activated from Feb. 24 to March 13.
