The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) plans to commence dredging on the Crossings Above New Orleans this afternoon (Saturday, May 4, 2019). The Corps’ dustpan dredge HURLEY will begin dredging at Red Eye Crossing (Mile 224 Above Head of Passes [AHP]) by this evening.
The industry dustpan dredge WALLACE McGEORGE is now expected to start dredging at Alhambra Crossing (Mile 191 AHP) on Tuesday, May 7, 2019.
The White Castle Anchorage from Mile 191.1 AHP to Mile 190.4 AHP will not be available for vessel usage while the dustpan dredge WALLACE McGEORGE works at Alhambra Crossing (Mile 191 AHP).
This date is subject to further change, but as of this writing the New Orleans – Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association (NOBRA) and the Federal Pilots and Docking Masters of Louisiana (Federal Pilots) plan to have the White Castle Anchorage cleared on the morning of May 7th to promote navigational safety during dredging operations.
The MVN plans to start restoring the central 250 feet of these Crossings and move to other locations and do the same thing. There is a considerable amount of sediment to be removed from the majority of the Crossings, estimates of 25-32 feet in some locations.
The dredging operations to restore full channel dimensions (45 feet by 500 feet) on the Crossings will take 5-7 months with all three dustpan dredges working (HURLEY, WALLACE McGEORGE and JADWIN).
