The Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) did not close any bays on the Bonnet Carré Spillway today (Thursday, March 21, 2019). The MVN also manages the closing of bays to ensure the maximum flow at New Orleans remains at/or below the trigger point flow of 1.25 million cubic feet per second (cfs).
The MVN will continue to oversee the operation of the Spillway as a flood control structure in accordance with the approved Bonnet Carré Spillway Water Control Manual, 196 of the 350 bays remain opened, during the maximum flow 206 bays were opened.
Today’s maximum flow projection is 1.40 million cfs, this projection is based on the measured flow at Red River Landing, with timing adjusted for downriver.
BONNET CARRÉ SPILLWAY OPERATIONS
| DATE | CARROLTON GAUGE (NEW ORLEANS) | BAYS OPENED | TOTAL NUMBER OF BAYS OPENED | TOTAL NUMBER OF BAYS CLOSED | SPILLWAY DISCHARGE CUBIC FEET PER SECOND (cfs) |
| 2/27/19 | 16.02 feet | 28 | 28 | N/A | 23,000 cfs |
| 2/28/19 | 16.20 feet | 20 | 48 | N/A | 37,000 cfs |
| 3/1/19 | 15.99 feet | 40 | 88 | N/A | 75,000 cfs |
| 3/2/19 | 16.00 feet | 20 | 108 | N/A | 93,000 cfs |
| 3/3/19 | 16.30 feet | 0 | 108 | N/A | 95,000 cfs |
| 3/4/19 | 16.50 feet | 40 | 148 | N/A | 133,000 cfs |
| 3/5/19 | 16.5 feet | 0 | 148 | N/A | 144,000 cfs |
| 3/6/19 | 16.6 feet | 0 | 148 | N/A | 148,000 cfs |
| 3/7/19 | 16.6 feet | 20 | 168 | N/A | 169,000 cfs |
| 3/8/19 | 16.6. feet | 20 | 188 | N/A | 187,000 cfs |
| 3/9/19 | 16.7 feet | 0 | 188 | N/A | 191,000 cfs |
| 3/10/19 | 16.75 feet | 10 | 198 | N/A | 196,000 cfs |
| 3/11/19 | 16.6 feet | 8 | 206 | N/A | 196,000 cfs |
| 3/12/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 206 | N/A | 196,000 cfs |
| 3/13/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 206 | N/A | 202,000 cfs |
| 3/14/19 | 16.7 feet | N/A | 206 | N/A | 204,000 cfs |
| 3/15/19 | 16.7 feet | N/A | 196 | 10 | 196,000 cfs |
| 3/16/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 199,000 cfs |
| 3/17/19 | 16.9 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 204,000 cfs |
| 3/18/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 207,000 cfs |
| 3/19/19 | 16.9 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 207,000 cfs |
| 3/20/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 210,000 cfs |
| 3/21/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 208,000 cfs |
The operation of the Bonnet Carré Spillway will artificially control the crest at 16.8 feet (approximately). The updated forecasts for the Carrolton Gauge indicate the stage level will remain at approximately 16.8 feet from the reported crest on March 12, 2019 (16.8 feet with 206 bays opened) until April 1, 2019 and then begin a slow fall, expected to recede to 14.1 feet on April 18, 2019.
The MVN estimates having completely closed all bays on the Bonnet Carré Spillway by mid-April, all predictions are based on precipitation levels presently estimated for the Mississippi River Basin Watershed.
