The Corps Mississippi Valley New Orleans opened 20 bays on the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway yesterday, Sunday, January 10, 2016 and has opened an additional 18 bays today. The flow through the Spillway structure was reported at 23,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) yesterday and with the additional bays opened today the flow has now increased to 41,000 cfs.
The Big River Coalition is preparing documentation to highlight the expected costs of maintaining the Mississippi River Ship Channel once the elevated stages fall. The Corps is presently trying to secure a hopper dredge to replace the NEWPORT that is expected to depart the Mississippi River on January 27, 2016. The Corps also intends to solicit a bid for a cutterhead dredge later this week, but in order to restore Southwest Pass to full channel dimensions after this substantial high-water period it will take additional dredge equipment and funding.
Please see the attached for complete details and note the photos provided by our friend and colleague, Mr. P.J. Hahn.
