The Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) District’s Lock and Waterway Status 60-Day Forecast as issued yesterday (Monday, August 19, 2019) is attached.
The status report includes present conditions on the on the Bayou Boeuf, Old River, Bayou Sorrel, Leland Bowman, Port Allen, and Algiers Locks, the East and West Calumet Floodgates. Updates to this report are highlighted in bold.
The replacement of the Bayou Boeuf Lock’s Chamber Guide Wall are now set to begin on August 26, 2019, full details are reproduced below:
“Beginning Monday 26 Aug 2019, Bayou Boeuf Lock will be closed to navigation from 7 am until 7 pm (Daylight Hours), Mondays thru Thursdays until approximately 26 Oct 2020 to construct the new south side chamber guide wall.”
The procedures listed below will be utilized at the Old River Lock as repairs to the Bulkhead Lowering Carriage are conducted, until approximately November 30, 2019:
“The following procedures shall be used through approximately 30 Nov 2019.
Due to repairs on the Lock Emergency Bulkhead Lowering Carriage, tows entering the Lock are urged to use extreme caution while approaching and entering the lock chamber. While approaching the Lock, the following are required for passage:
- Tows are to enter the Lock at DEAD SLOW speed.
- All tows are restricted to no longer than 1100’ in length
- All tows will line up along the floating guide wall before proceeding.
- Two line-handlers with life vests and bumpers will be required on both approach and exiting of the Lock.
- Vessels must be moored by bow and stern lines to floating timberheads.”
The repairs to the Old River Lock’s floating guide wall will require intermittent delays during daylight hours:
“Commencing on or about 3 September 2019 and continuing through 20 September 2019, mariners will be subject to intermittent delays to navigation (up to 12 hours) at Old River Lock. The closures will occur during daylight hours between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. due to necessary repair to the floating guide walls.”
The Bayou Sorrel Lock will be closed to navigation as the Lock is dewatered to repair the south end gates, beginning on September 20, 2019.
“Tentatively commencing on 20 September 2019 and continuing through approximately 19 October 2019, Bayou Sorrel Lock will be closed to navigation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, due to dewatering operations for necessary repairs on the south end gates.”
The Leland Bowman Lock will require daytime closures to conduct Gate Repairs with the following impacts:
Leland Bowman Lock will have blocks of days where daytime closures will be in effect over the next few months for required repairs.
First, Intermittent closure 15 thru 25 August 2019, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., each day.
Second, Full closure around the clock required for gate 1 removal, beginning at 6:30 a.m. 26 august 2019 thru 6:00 p.m. 28 august 2019.
Lock reopened to traffic, beginning at 6:00 p.m. 28 august 2019 thru 6:30 a.m. 31 august 2019.
Third, Full closure around the clock required for gate 2 removal, beginning at 6:30 a.m. 31 august 2019 thru 6:00 p.m. 2 September 2019.
Lock reopened to traffic, beginning at 6:00 p.m. 2 September 2019 thru 6:30 a.m. 4 September 2019.
Fourth, Intermittent daytime closures required for repairs, 4 September 2019 thru 15 October 2019, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., each day.
The Port Allen Lock is undergoing guidewall repairs under the following conditions until August 31, 2019:
Government Maintenance Unit will be making necessary guidewall repairs at Port Allen Lock, primarily from behind the northeast floating guidewall, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., each day, 7 days a week (with intermittent delays up to 5 hours), through 31 August 2019.
The East Calumet Floodgate remains closed due to heavy siltation being experienced, full details are reproduced below:
“Continuing until further notice, East Calumet Floodgate will remain closed to navigation due to heavy siltation on the west side of the structure making it unsafe for navigation.”
The West Calumet Floodgate remains closed due to high water levels being experienced, full details are reproduced below:
“Continuing until further notice, West Calumet Floodgate will remain closed to navigation due to high water conditions.”
The Algiers Lock will be closed as scheduled daily during daylight hours to accommodate ongoing Emergency Guidewall repairs:
Algiers Lock will be open this weekend beginning Friday the 9th of Aug thru Sunday the 11th of Aug. Beginning Monday 12 August 2019 and continuing until approximately Sunday 1 Sep 2019, Algiers Lock will be closed daily between 6 am and 630 pm due to guide wall repairs. Harvey Lock can be used as an alternative route.
Please see the attachment for complete details.
