A group of LSU researchers said Wednesday the state’s flood protection system may be inaccurate.

The team has spent the past several months measuring levees with a special satellite system, and now the federal government has asked the group to hand over their data.

Tony Cavell, associate director for LSU Center of Geoinformatics, said he began measuring Louisiana’s levees after state lawmakers recognized the need for more current data. Through a GPS satellite system, he and other researchers have spent the last several months evaluating 900 miles of the state’s flood protection system.

Cavell said older systems which consist of land benchmarks can change and lead to inaccurate points of reference.

"A traditional benchmark moves with time so you continue to use the wrong number and so you think you're building something at this height, but the benchmark has sunk so however much it sunk you're building things that much lower," he said.

Dr. Roy Dokka is heading up the project and said its work is being supported through FEMA - the Army Corps of Engineers is also waiting for results.

"I think at this point the Corps has been second guessed so the more data they get the better they're going to feel," Dokka said.

So far Dokka’s research has shown dramatic differences in perceived levee protection by the Corps. In Plaquemines Parish, some parts are at least two feet lower than what the federal government originally thought. 

“There's some places that need more work and as people begin to see these numbers this will add to the pressure to get this done," Dokka said.

The group’s findings could impact the Corp’s 100 year floor protection plan, which was released just a few months ago.

"It's going to affect so many people because we basically set up a positioning system that the federal government is using as a reference point," Dokka said.

Final results of the project will be released in a matter of weeks to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, as well as the Army Corps of Engineers.