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  • 1.  Tropical Storm Barry, and New Orleans is on Focus Again

    Posted 07-12-2019 04:34 PM

    Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the unprecedented flood and storm surge prevention investments since then, New Orleans is on focus again. This time the focus is due to tropical storm Barry, that is encroaching the region with high potentials of rainfall in intensity and duration – the situation is only expected to be exacerbated by high Mississippi River stage.

    Have a look; there is an article by the Associated Press that summarizes the situation and the problem: https://www.apnews.com/6914709905094632b1588231ddb9e85f

       



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    Dr. Dilip Barua, Ph.D, P.Eng, M. ASCE
    Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Website: https://widecanvas.weebly.com
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  • 2.  RE: Tropical Storm Barry, and New Orleans is on Focus Again

    Posted 07-13-2019 06:09 PM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 07-13-2019 06:09 PM
    Dr Dilip -

    Why doesn't the Corps open the Le Carre Spillway to send Missippi River flow through the Atchafalia Bypass to reduce River levels at New Orleans?


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    Michael Clinton P.E.,F.ASCE
    President
    Michael Clinton Consulting Llc
    Las Vegas NV
    (702) 255-1536
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  • 3.  RE: Tropical Storm Barry, and New Orleans is on Focus Again

    Posted 07-15-2019 01:26 PM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 07-15-2019 01:26 PM
    Mr. Clinton, 
    It is a delicate balance down here. There are many considerations to think of in the operation of any of the suite of structures in the New Orleans District of the USACE. The Atchafalaya has been at or above flood stage since last August. Any more water put down the Atchafalaya would flood that area even worse, and they were looking at torrential rains as well. Also, this would require altered operations of either Old River (which has strict guidelines) or opening of the Morganza Spillway (also has strict guidelines), which would have other negative impacts (i.e. flooding more folks). The Bonnet Carre spillway flows out into Lake Ponchatrain, which was under a storm surge warning, so more water there could cause pressure on other levees and flooding to other communities. Also, there is a delay in impact from when you open the Bonnet Carre spillway and when you see the effects in New Orleans, so there is a question of whether or not there was time to see any impacts from opening any further bays at the Bonnet Carre.

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    Mary Bourgoyne P.E.,M.ASCE
    Director of Ports, Engineer 6
    Denham Springs LA
    (225)219-3033
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  • 4.  RE: Tropical Storm Barry, and New Orleans is on Focus Again

    Posted 07-15-2019 02:37 PM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 07-15-2019 02:37 PM
    Mary -

    I appreciate the complex balancing act involved in managing flood flows in the many affected areas. Your detailed response to my idea puts it in perspective. Keep up the good work.


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    Michael Clinton P.E.,F.ellow & Life Member ASCE
    President, Michael Clinton Consulting Llc
    Las Vegas NV
    (702) 807-9071
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