The Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) continues to address the shoaling on the Crossings Above New Orleans and in the New Orleans Harbor. 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 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.
DUSTPAN DREDGES ON THE CROSSINGS ABOVE NEW ORLEANS:
WALLACE McGEORGE: The industry dustpan dredge WALLACE McGEORGE continues dredging full channel dimensions (500 feet) at Baton Rouge Front (Mile 229 Above Head of Passes [AHP]). The WALLACE McGEORGE commenced dredging on the Crossings on Friday, May 11, 2018.
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.
JADWIN: The Corps’ dustpan dredge JADWIN continues dredging full channel dimensions (500 feet) at Philadelphia Crossing (Mile 183 AHP). The JADWIN began dredging on the Crossings on Thursday, May 10, 2018.
GOVERNMENT HOPPER DREDGE AT SOUTHWEST PASS (SWP):
WHEELER: The MVN’s hopper dredge WHEELER began dredging under Readiness Exercise #4-2018 this morning. The WHEELER is scheduled to completed Readiness Exercise #4 on September 27th, the hopper dredge is working on assignment from Mile 9 Below Head of Passes (BHP) to Mile 11 BHP in SWP.
CUTTERHEAD DREDGE AT THE NEW ORLEANS HARBOR:
MISSOURI H: The cutterhead dredge MISSOURI H replaced the cutterhead dredge MIKE HOOKS for the contracted dredging in the New Orleans Harbor. The MISSOURI H is presently dredging from Napoleon Avenue Wharf B to Milan Street Wharf in the New Orleans Harbor.
The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port New Orleans issued the attached notice confirming a VTS Measure from Mile 100 AHP to Mile 99 AHP limiting all deep-draft vessels and large tows to one-way traffic in the area of the MISSOURI H.
MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River, in accordance with the Navigation Safety Regulations, Code of Federal Regulations Title 33, Subpart 161.11, will establish a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Measure for the waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 99.0 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 100.0 AHP. This Measure is needed to protect persons and vessels from the potential safety hazards associated with the Port of New Orleans dredging operations. This Measure is in effect with the following provisions:
- September 6, 2018 through September 20, 2018: All deep draft vessels and large tows are restricted to one-way traffic from MM 99.0 to MM 100.0 Above Head of Passes 24 hours per day.
Updates and/or changes to the published schedule will be broadcast via Safety Broadcast Notice to Mariners. For additional information about the dredging operations or for any passing arrangements, vessels may contact the dredge MISSOURI H via VHF-FM Channels 16, 67, and 71 during the operation. Mariners are urged to transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake and proceed with caution.
For further information, contact:
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center: (504) 365-2200
Coast Guard Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2230, VHF FM Ch. 12, 67
