The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is focusing channel maintenance efforts on the Crossings Above New Orleans as Southwest Pass has been restored to authorized channel dimensions. The dustpan dredges: JADWIN and WALLACE McGEORGE and the hopper dredge BAYPORT are all working on the Crossings Above New Orleans. The dustpan dredge HURLEY was released from the Crossings on July 18, 2020 to move upriver to dredge an area of severe shoaling on the shallow-draft channel at Victoria Bend (Mile 595 Above Head of Passes [AHP]).

DUSTPAN DREDGE(S) ON THE CROSSINGS ABOVE NEW ORLEANS:

The MVN continues dredging to restore or maintain at least the central 250 feet of the channel (authorized width is 500 feet) on the Crossings Above New Orleans as river stages continue to fall.

WALLACE McGEORGE: The industry dustpan dredge continues dredging the central 250 feet of channel at Red Eye Crossing (Mile 224.0 AHP). The WALLACE McGEORGE commenced dredging on the Crossings on Thursday, May 21, 2020.

JADWIN: The government dustpan dredge continues dredging on the central 250 feet of channel at Philadelphia Point (Mile 183 AHP). The JADWIN is expected to move upriver to Medora Crossing (Mile 212.0 AHP) tomorrow. The JADWIN began dredging on the Crossings on Thursday, May 21, 2020

HURLEY: The government dustpan dredge HURLEY was released from assignment on the Crossings to move upriver to address shoaling on the shallow draft channel (Victoria Bend). The HURLEY commenced dredging on the Crossings on June 29, 2020 and is now expected to return to the Crossings by Wednesday, August 5, 2020.

INDUSTRY HOPPER DREDGE(S) ON THE CROSSINGS ABOVE NEW ORLEANS:

BAYPORT: The hopper dredge BAYPORT (Manson Construction) is dredging the central 250 feet of channel at Granada Crossing (Mile 205 AHP). The BAYPORT is expected to move upriver to Sardine Point (Mile 219.3 AHP) by this weekend. The BAYPORT’s contract has been extended, the hopper dredge is now expected to complete this contract on approximately August 15, 2020. The BAYPORT commenced dredging on the Crossings on July 9, 2020.

GOVERNMENT HOPPER DREDGE(S) IN THE AREA OF SOUTHWEST PASS:

WHEELER: The government hopper dredge WHEELER is in need of repairs that will require some time in dry dock. The WHEELER was scheduled to dredge under Readiness Exercise #2-2020 from July 14 to August 3, 2020. The revised Readiness Exercise dates or plans will be shared when more details are available.

The Carrollton Gauge (New Orleans) reading at 1000 hours today was 5.07 feet with a 24-hour change of – 0.03 feet. 

NOAA’s National Weather Service’s Extended Streamflow Prediction (28-Day) for the Carrollton Gauge issued today indicates a slight rise over the next few days before resuming a slow fall to 4.0 feet on August 26, 2020.   

The Baton Rouge Gauge reading at 1000 hours today was 15.47 feet with a 24-hour change of – 0.07 feet. 

NOAA’s National Weather Service’s Extended Streamflow Prediction (28-Day) for the Baton Rouge Gauge issued today indicates a slight rise over the next few days before resuming a slow fall to 12.4 feet on August 26, 2020.