NEW ORLEANS – Army Corps of Engineers officials are inspecting parts of the Mississippi River in the New Orleans area after the river rose to 11 feet at the Carrollton gauge, triggering certain safety procedures, according to Corps spokeswoman Rachel Rodi.
“Phase I is a proactive measure that is triggered when the Mississippi River reaches 11 feet and is forecast to continue to rise. The increased patrols help to ensure that the Corps can respond quickly to any problem areas that develop along the levee system because of the elevated water levels,” said a statement from Rodi.
Phase I was completed in early January, said Rodi.
“This week the Corps began patrolling the levees along the east bank of the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to Bohemia and on the west bank of the river from Donaldsonville to Venice. Inspections will continue twice weekly until the water level drops below 11 feet at the Carrollton gauge,”
The current water level at the Carrollton gauge is 11.93 feet, according to the Corps. And the National Weather Service expects to the river to crest at 12.7 feet at the Carrollton gauge on February 15. The forecast is well below 17 feet -- flood stage for the Mississippi in New Orleans.
The river is currently under high water restrictions, said Rodi, and any work that may impact Mississippi River and Tributaries levees -- including the transport of heavy loads over the levee, disturbance of grass cover or subsurface work within 1,500 feet of the levee -- is prohibited while the Mississippi River elevation is at or above 11 feet at the Carrollton gauge.
