The Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) plans to close 33 bays on the Bonnet Carré  Spillway today (Wednesday, April 9, 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 1.138 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, approximately 19 of the 350 bays will be opened at the end of the day. 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 the stage will remain at approximately 15.9 feet until April 19, 2019 before beginning a slow fall.  The river stage forecast of the Carrollton Gauge for May 8, 2019indicates a reading of 14.4 feet.

The MVN officially declared this is the fourth longest operation of the Bonnet Carré Spillway’s history and the longest opening since 1973.

The MVN now expects all bays will be closed by tomorrow, April 11, 2019.