In a last-ditch move to relieve stress on levees burdened by Mississippi River floodwaters, the Army Corps of Engineers on Saturday opened a spillway to gradually inundate a major floodplain for only the second time in nearly 40 years, funneling water over farmland and small communities to save New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La., from inundations.The way of life for a lot of people will now be destroyed to save Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
At 3 p.m. CDT, a large crane lifted the metal teeth on one of the Morganza Spillway's 125 gates, marking the first time in the nation's history that three of the Mississippi River spillways were opened at the same time. The New Madrid floodway in Missouri and the Bonnet Carre spillway in Louisiana were opened earlier this month as the river reached record or near-record levels in several states.
An avalanche of water rushed through the gate as it was opened and began pouring down a floodplain dotted with farmland and small towns. It was the first time since 1973 that the Corps has resorted to opening the Morganza Spillway, about 40 miles north of the state capital, Baton Rouge, and 185 miles upstream from New Orleans. The move underscored the potential for catastrophe if the rain-swollen Mississippi were allowed to run its natural southeastern course into the Gulf of Mexico, through the state's two largest cities.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Great Louisiana Flood of 2011 - Part 2
The spillway has now been opened and the flooding has begun:
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2 comments:
I live in Baton Rouge, just a few miles from the Mississippi River. It is very near the top of our levee.....we are heartbroken about the entire situation. We certainly wish no one anywhere was in danger of flooding.
This move to open the Morganza Spillway (as well as the Bonnet Carret Spillway) will help relieve pressure on our levee system, but time will tell if it totally prevents any breach here or further downstream. It is also being done in an attempt to keep industry along the river, and river traffic, running as usual. The river is a huge livelihood for all of La.
I'd ask that all HolyCoast's readers keep Louisiana in your prayers. Many areas are just recovering from recent hurricanes and other storms, not to mention the oil spill. Thank you so much!
The River will not be denied. One of my childhood memories is when my dad took us to see the Missouri River in flood. I'm certain it did not even begin to compare with this flood.
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