The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is focusing channel maintenance efforts on the Crossings Above New Orleans as Southwest Pass has been restored to authorized channel dimensions. The dustpan dredges: JADWIN and WALLACE McGEORGE and the hopper dredges BAYPORT and GLENN EDWARDS are all working on the Crossings Above New Orleans. The dustpan dredge HURLEY was released from the Crossings on July 18, 2020 to move upriver to dredge an area of severe shoaling on the shallow-draft channel at Victoria Bend (Mile 595 Above Head of Passes [AHP]).
DUSTPAN DREDGE(S) ON THE CROSSINGS ABOVE NEW ORLEANS:
The MVN continues dredging to restore or maintain at least the central 250 feet of the channel (authorized width is 500 feet) on the Crossings Above New Orleans as river stages fall.
WALLACE McGEORGE: The industry dustpan dredge completed the dredging assignment at Alhambra Crossing (Mile 192 AHP) this morning. The dustpan is moving upriver to start dredging on the central 250 feet of channel at Red Eye Crossing (Mile 224.0 AHP). The White Castle Anchorage (Mile 191.1 AHP to Mile 190.4 AHP) is in the process of being reopened, the U.S. Coast Guard is expected to rescind the Marine Safety Information Bulletin (attached) later today. The WALLACE McGEORGE commenced dredging on the Crossings on Thursday, May 21, 2020.
JADWIN: The government dustpan dredge continues dredging on the central 250 feet of channel at Philadelphia Point (Mile 183 AHP). The JADWIN began dredging on the Crossings on Thursday, May 21, 2020
HURLEY: The government dustpan dredge HURLEY was released from assignment on the Crossings to move upriver to address shoaling on the shallow draft channel (Victoria Bend). The HURLEY commenced dredging on the Crossings on June 29, 2020 and is expected to return to the Crossings by August 3.
INDUSTRY HOPPER DREDGE(S) ON THE CROSSINGS ABOVE NEW ORLEANS:
BAYPORT: The hopper dredge BAYPORT (Manson Construction) is dredging the central 250 feet of channel at Bayou Goula Crossing (Mile 198 AHP). The MVN has confirmed that the BAYPORT contract was extended, the extension will keep the hopper dredge working on the Mississippi River Ship Channel until approximately August 15, 2020. The BAYPORT commenced dredging on the Crossings on July 9, 2020.
GLENN EDWARDS: The industry hopper dredge GLENN EDWARDS (Manson Construction) continues dredging on assignment on the central 400 feet of channel at Belmont Crossing (Mile 154 AHP). The GLENN EDWARDS began dredging in Southwest Pass on March 20, 2020 under Southwest Pass Hopper Dredge Rental Contract #13-2019. This contract has been extended and the hopper dredge is now expected to complete this contract later this week (Friday, July 24, 2020).
CUTTERHEAD DREDGE(S) AT THE NEW ORLEANS HARBOR:
CAPTAIN FRANK: Weeks Marine’s cutterhead dredge CAPTAIN FRANK has completed the dredging assignment in the New Orleans Harbor. The cutterhead commenced work under New Orleans Harbor and Baptiste Collette Cutterhead Rental Contract #4-2019 on June 26, 2020 and is now working on the shallow-draft portion (Lock Forebays and then Baptiste Collette).
GOVERNMENT HOPPER DREDGE(S) IN THE AREA OF SOUTHWEST PASS:
WHEELER: The government hopper dredge WHEELER is in need of repairs that will require some time in dry dock. The WHEELER was scheduled to dredge under Readiness Exercise #2-2020 from July 14 to August 3, 2020. The revised Readiness Exercise dates or plans will be shared when more details are available.
The Carrollton Gauge (New Orleans) reading at 0800 hours today was 5.42 feet with a 24-hour change of – 0.14 feet.
NOAA’s National Weather Service’s Extended Streamflow Prediction (28-Day) for the Carrollton Gauge issued yesterday indicates a slow fall to 3.9 feet on August 18, 2020.
The Baton Rouge Gauge reading at 0900 hours today was 17.65 feet with a 24-hour change of – 0.43 feet.
NOAA’s National Weather Service’s Extended Streamflow Prediction (28-Day) for the Baton Rouge Gauge issued yesterday indicates a slow fall to 12.4 feet on August 18, 2020.
