The Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) did not close any bays on the Bonnet Carré  Spillway today (Sunday, April 7, 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).  The MVN reported the flow dipped below the trigger point level (less than 1.25 million cfs) on Friday, April 5, 2019.

Today’s maximum flow projection is 1.20 million cfs, this projection is based on the measured flow at Red River Landing, with calculations 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, 135 of the 350 bays remain open. During the recorded crest 206 bays were open and the maximum flow at Red River Landing was estimated to be 1.455 million cfs.

                                                                                                   BONNET CARRÉ  SPILLWAY OPERATIONS       

The present conditions and updated forecasts for the Carrolton Gauge indicate a slow fall has begun, the stage is expected to reach 14.6 feet on May 5, 2019.  The predictions have been updated to account for the rain across the Mississippi River Basin and indicate a very slow fall without a rise.

The MVN still expects all bays on the Bonnet Carré Spillway to be closed by April 14, 2019.