The Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) continues to address the shoaling on the Crossings Above New Orleans. The MVN is working to restore full channel dimensions on the Crossings with the three dustpan dredges. Federally authorized channel dimensions on the Crossings Above New Orleans are 45 feet by 500 feet.
The Carrollton Gauge reading at 1400 hours today was 9.29 feet, with a 24-hour change of – 0.06 feet.
The Baton Rouge Gauge reading at 1500 hours today was 26.54 feet, with a 24-hour change of – 0.27 feet.
CUTTERHEAD DREDGE AT THE HOPPER DREDGE DISPOSAL AREA (HDDA):
Weeks Marine is expected to commence dredging in the HDDA with the cutterhead dredge R.S. WEEKS by early November. Due to the unseasonably high river stages, Weeks now intends to begin this project by disposing of the removed dredged material in the Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area on the eastern side of the Ship Channel. Weeks had originally planned to dispose of the removed material in the approved West Bay Disposal Area that would have required channel closures to install and remove a submerged dredge pipeline.
The contract calls for Weeks Marine to remove 12 million cubic yards of material from the HDDA, Weeks may decide to place some of the material in the West Bay Receiving Area. The Big River Coalition will remain engaged throughout the process and issue updates when pertinent details are available. If Weeks does install a submerged dredge pipeline across the Ship Channel as part of the HDDA contract, the Coalition will attempt to distribute information on the scheduled channel closure(s) two-weeks in advance.
The graph below is reproduced from NOAA’s National Weather Service website and represents an experimental product to account for the complexity of accurately predicting long-range precipitation. This forecast projects stage levels based on expected precipitation for 2 days (top) and 16 days (bottom) and was developed within the North American Ensemble Forecast System (NAEFS) computer model and highlights Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPF). Along with the forecasts, a shaded area is also provided to indicate uncertainty for the forecast each day in the future. These plots are experimental and not an official forecast product.
Please see the below report for complete details on dredge assignments.
DUSTPAN DREDGES ON THE CROSSINGS ABOVE NEW ORLEANS:
HURLEY: The Corps’ dustpan dredge HURLEY continues dredging full channel dimensions (500 feet) at Red Eye Crossing (Mile 224 AHP). The dustpan dredge began dredging on the Crossings on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.
WALLACE McGEORGE: The industry dustpan dredge W ALLACE McGEORGE has commenced dredging at Medora Crossing (Mile 212 Above Head of Passes [AHP]). The WALLACE McGEORGE began dredging on the Crossings on Friday, May 11, 2018.
JADWIN: The Corps’ dustpan dredge JADWIN continues dredging full channel dimensions (500 feet) at Alhambra Crossing (Mile 192 AHP). The NOBRA and Federal Pilots will not anchor vessels in the White Castle Anchorage (Mile 191.1 AHP to Mile 190.4 AHP) while the dustpan works this location. The Pilots will keep the White Castle Anchorage clear to promote navigational safety and allow the dredge to work without interruption. The assignment at Alhambra Crossing is tentatively scheduled to be completed on October 25, 2018. The JADWIN began dredging on the Crossings on Thursday, May 10, 2018.
CUTTERHEAD DREDGE AT THE HOPPER DREDGE DISPOSAL AREA (HDDA):
Weeks Marine is expected to commence dredging in the HDDA with the cutterhead dredge R.S. WEEKS by early November. Due to the unseasonably high river stages, Weeks now intends to begin this project by disposing of the removed dredged material in the Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area on the eastern side of the Ship Channel. Weeks had originally planned to dispose of the removed material in the approved West Bay Disposal Area that would have required channel closures to install and remove a submerged dredge pipeline.
The contract calls for Weeks Marine to remove 12 million cubic yards of material from the HDDA, Weeks may decide to place some of the material in the West Bay Receiving Area. The Big River Coalition will remain engage throughout the process and issue updates when pertinent details are available. If Weeks does install a submerged dredge pipeline across the Ship Channel as part of the HDDA contract, the Coalition will attempt to distribute information on the scheduled channel closure(s) two-weeks in advance.
