The Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) did not close any bays on the Bonnet Carré  Spillway today (Sunday, March 24, 2019).   The MVN manages the opening and 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).  Today’s maximum flow projection is 1.385 million cfs, this projection is based on the measured flow at Red River Landing, with timing adjusted for downriver. 

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. 

                                                                                  BONNET CARRÉ  SPILLWAY OPERATIONS       

The operation of the Bonnet Carré Spillway will artificially control the extended crest at 16.8 feet (approximately). The updated forecasts for the Carrolton Gauge indicate a slow fall has begun, the river stage levels will remain steady but a slow fall is forecast with the stage expected to reach 13.2 feet on April 21, 2019.  

The MVN estimates having completely closed all bays on the Bonnet Carré  Spillway by mid-April, the new forecasts may warrant full closure sooner.  However, all predictions are based on precipitation levels presently estimated for the Mississippi River Basin Watershed and are subject to change.