Chelsea Gaudin / Eyewitness News
BELLE CHASSE, LA – Three days into the hurricane season, the Army Corps of Engineers is testing out the major flood protection project for the Westbank area.
The Gulf Intercoastal Waterway West Closure Complex in Belle Chasse will close its gates when the waterway rises about 2 ½ to 3 ½ feet, officials estimated.
It has the largest sector gate in the country, at 225 ft. in width, to protect from storm surge.
“This takes the perimeter protection away from peoples’ backyards along the Harvey and Algiers Canals and brings it all the way down here to the west closure complex. So this will have a significant impact on the folks who live not only along the Harvey and Algiers Canals but in the entire Westbank,” Col. Ed Fleming of the Corp said.
Eight of the 11 pumps are operational, which would protect the area from a 100 year storm – with all 11 operational, the pumps could fill an Olympic size swimming pool in five seconds.
“This system was not designed based on one single hurricane. This system was designed based on a suite of 152 hurricanes coming in at multiple different directions and multiple intensities. We’re proud to be able to put into commission for this hurricane season,” Fleming said.
Since starting the project in August 2009, nearly $1 billion has been spent.
