Bonnet Carre Spillway

High water problems on the inland waterways in 2020

While all eyes were on the coronavirus pandemic, high water on the inland waterway system was making its presence known once again early this year. High water conditions on the system in 2019 created a host of problems for inland waterways operators, as portions of the Mississippi River were closed periodically throughout the year.

This year did not start off well either. The Army Corps of Engineer’s Mississippi Valley Division (MVN) had to open the Bonnet Carré Spillway near Baton Rouge, La.,...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/high-water-problems-on-the-inland-waterways-in-2020/

Corps closing spillway as Mississippi River water level falls

The Army Corps of Engineer’s Mississippi Valley Division (MVN) opened the Bonnet Carré Spillway on April 2. The MVN opened a total of 90 bays and has now closed 60 of them.

Designed to pass flood water from the Mississippi River into Lake Pontchartrain above New Orleans to prevent flooding below the floodway, the Bonnet Carre´ Spillway is a flood control structure on the Mississippi that extends from Mile 128.8 Above Head of Passes to Mile 127.3 Above Head of Passes.

The forecast flow with a...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/corps-closing-spillway-as-mississippi-river-water-level-falls/

Corps opens more Bonnet Carré Spillway bays to curb rising water

While all eyes are on the coronavirus pandemic, high water on the inland waterway system is making its presence known once again this year. High water conditions on the system in 2019 created an abundance of problems for inland waterways operators, as portions of the river were closed periodically throughout the year.

This year is not starting off too well either. The Army Corps of Engineer’s Mississippi Valley Division (MVN) announced it was opening the Bonnet Carré Spillway on April 2.

The...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/corps-opens-more-bonnet-carre-spillway-bays-to-curb-rising-water/

High water forcing opening of Bonnet Carré Spillway again

During a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday, April 2, 2020, the Army Corps of Engineer’s Commander of the Mississippi Valley New Orleans Col. Stephen Murphy, announced that he has made the recommendation to operate the Bonnet Carré Spillway.

The colonel’s recommendation to operate the flood control structure has now been delivered to the commanding general of the USACE Mississippi Valley Division, Maj. Gen. Mark Toy. Toy also serves as the president of the Mississippi River Commission and the...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/high-water-forcing-opening-of-bonnet-carre-spillway-again/

Flooding forces Corps to open Louisiana’s Morganza Spillway

Extreme flood conditions along the inland waterways system has forced the Corps to open the Morganza Spillway for only the third time since 1954. FEMA photo

Extraordinary flooding along the Mississippi River and its tributaries along with spring runoff of snow and ice have forced the Corps of Engineers to open the Morganza Spillway for only the third time in its 65-year history. The Corps could start opening the structure’s gates as early as Sunday, June 2.

The purpose of the Morganza Floodway is to divert excess floodwater from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya Basin. The floodway consists of two structures — the Morganza Control Structure...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/flooding-forces-corps-open-louisianas-morganza-spillway/

Miss. River levels falling at New Orleans, spillway closing

This is the first time the Bonnet Carré Spillway has opened in consecutive years. ACE photo

The Corps of Engineers is expected to close all bays (gates) of the Bonnet Carré Spillway within the next seven to 10 days.

On Feb. 27, the Corps decided to open the Bonnet Carré Spillway to ensure safe passage of the Mississippi through the greater New Orleans area. Operation of the structure, located about 33 river miles above New Orleans, is relieving pressure on main line levees, maintaining river stages, and regulating the flow downriver from the spillway.

The Corps of Engineers’ Mississippi...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/miss-river-levels-falling-at-new-orleans-spillway-closing/

Corps to open Bonnet Carré Spillway due to high water

This is the first time the Bonnet Carré Spillway will open in consecutive years. ACE photo

Increasing water levels as a result of heavy rain in the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys are prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to operate the Bonnet Carré Spillway to ensure safe passage of the Mississippi river through the greater New Orleans area.

Operation of the structure will relieve pressure on main line levees, maintain river stages, and regulate the flow downriver from the spillway. The decision to open Bonnet Carré was issued by Maj. Gen. Richard G. Kaiser commander of the...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/corps-to-open-bonnet-carre-spillway-due-to-high-water/