2011 Mississippi River Spring Floods

[RaginCajun77]

I remember reading in 1973 that the flood then nearly took out the Old River Control Structure. What has been done since then to prevent this from happening now?

[MetryCajun]

_ We are in the golden age for Oysters.

This used to happen every year to the Oyster area.
igeaux.mobi _

+1000

Fisheries today are way more static and predictable than in the past.

[MetryCajun]

_ I remember reading in 1973 that the flood then nearly took out the Old River Control Structure. What has been done since then to prevent this from happening now? _

A lot. There are now three reinforced flood structures in this area. The fear is not "losing" the river to the Atchafalaya, but having a major levee breach in BR or NOLA.

[HelmutVII]

This is a link to an Aerial Photo of the ORCS as it is today.

http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/recrea...trolCcolor.pdf

The Old River Low Sill and Overbank structures were built in 1962 the Auxillary Structure built in 1986. The 1962 structure came "that close" to failure. They were throwing in cars, BFR and any thing else they could get their hands on. (BFR is a highly technical term for Big ____ing Rock.)

[HelmutVII]

This is a link to the river stage current conditions and forecasts.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/?n=lmr...oriverforecast

The Thursday May 5 forecast assumes Bonnet Carre' open but not Morganza. This will probably change. All forecasts are subject to upstream rainfall and time to route the runoff through the watershed.

[cajun_civil]

How would all of this effect the Vermilion River in A-ville???? I asked Terri and the Flood insurance needs to be in effect for 30 days before it becomes active---exception for a new home purchase!!!!

Should not affect the Vermilion river. Currently the only water which enters the verm from atchafalya is through pumps. Do not know of an emergency breech to divert water from atchafalya.

igeaux.mobi

[cajun_civil]

The threshold for opening Morganza has already been met. The question is...how much damage will an already swollen Atch River bring to Morgan City if Morganza is opened. Those calculations are being made right now. One thing is certain, the corps will not let Baton Rouge and New Orleans flood.



igeaux.mobi

I read rising tide a few years ago. Similar circumstances, seems like MC is going to get a large amount of water. Hopefully residents will heed the warning and get out of harms way.


igeaux.mobi

[CajunMarine81]

I was just told by one of the engineers that the Bonnet Carre spillway will open either Monday or Tuesday.... Morganza Spillway should open by next Thursday. Everything that a few of you had said is right on. MC area will get the hit according to my buddy.

[Boomer]

_ I read rising tide a few years ago. Similar circumstances, seems like MC is going to get a large amount of water. Hopefully residents will heed the warning and get out of harms way.


igeaux.mobi _

Didn't the book point out some really bad St.Landry Parish waters????? In fact was a levee blown in the proximity!!!!

[HelmutVII]

From the national weather service. Check out the forecast stage at Morgan City with Morganza closed versus opened. A 5.5 foot jump in river stage.

http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacap...3ae3373c739f84

[CajunRed]

That ain't good.

From the national weather service. Check out the forecast stage at Morgan City with Morganza closed versus opened. A 4.5 foot jump in river stage.

http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacap...3ae3373c739f84

igeaux.mobi

[VObserver]

Actually that is Flood Stage: 4.0
Forecast:

Morganza Closed: 9.5

Morganza Open: 12.0 - 13.0


So 2.5-3.5 foot difference. Not good any way you slice it. The forcast is for a MINIMUM of flood + 5.5' and a maximum of flood + 9'