The Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) intends to open 20 bays on the Bonnet Carré Spillway today (Thursday, March 7, 2019). The MVN manages the opening of bays in order to keep the maximum flow at New Orleans at/or below the trigger point flow of 1.25 million cubic feet per second (cfs).
The MVN will continue to oversee the operation of the Spillway as a flood control structure in accordance with the approved Bonnet Carré Spillway Water Control Manual. The MVN plans to gradually open a total of 200 bays (approximately) based on efforts to maintain the maximum flow at New Orleans. The MVN advises the crest above the Spillway is presently forecasted to arrive on March 12, 2019. The latest maximum flow projection is 1.445 million cfs, this projection is based on the measured flow at Red River Landing, with timing adjusted for downriver.
BONNET CARRé SPILLWAY OPERATION
| DATE | CARROLTON GAUGE (NEW ORLEANS) | BAYS OPENED | TOTAL NUMBER OF BAYS OPENED | SPILLWAY DISCHARGE CUBIC FEET PER SECOND (cfs) |
| 2/27/19 | 16.02 feet | 28 | 28 | 23,000 cfs |
| 2/28/19 | 16.20 feet | 20 | 48 | 37,000 cfs |
| 3/1/19 | 15.99 feet | 40 | 88 | 75,000 cfs |
| 3/2/19 | 16.00 feet | 20 | 108 | 93,000 cfs |
| 3/3/19 | 16.30 feet | 0 | 108 | 95,000 cfs |
| 3/4/19 | 16.50 feet | 40 | 148 | 133,000 cfs |
| 3/5/19 | 16.5 feet | 0 | 148 | 144,000 cfs |
| 3/6/19 | 16.6 feet | 0 | 148 | 148,000 cfs |
| 3/7/19 | 16.6 feet | 20 | 168 | 169,000 cfs |
The Carrolton Gauge is now expected to reach 17.0 feet on March 13, 2019 and to remain at that stage until March 16, 2019. The operation of the Bonnet Carré Spillway will artificially control the crest at 17 feet (approximately) and maintain the maximum flow at New Orleans at or below 1.25 million cfs.
