The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is in the process of resuming dredging operations after dredges were forced to seek safe harbor due to the impact of Hurricane Laura. The dustpan dredges, JADWIN and WALLACE McGEORGE and the hopper dredge BAYPORT are set to resume dredging on the Crossings Above New Orleans. The USACE hopper dredge WHEELER remains at the New Orleans District dock but is preparing to transit to the Calcasieu Ship Channel to work conduct work under Readiness Exercise #3-2020.
TRANSIT RESTRICITIONS FOR MISSISSIPPI RIVER SHIP CHANNEL:
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) issued Port Condition Normal at 0800 hours this morning across the Mississippi River Ship Channel. The Marine Information Safety Bulletin (MSIB) that changed the Port Condition is attached. The USCG has rescinded the Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) that closed traffic through the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock, that MSIB is also attached. The cutterhead dredge CAPTAIN FRANK resumed dredging on Baptiste Collette and the USACE expects to delay the dewatering of the IHNC Lock until FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 (more details forthcoming).
DUSTPAN DREDGE(S) ON THE CROSSINGS ABOVE NEW ORLEANS:
The USACE continues dredging to restore or maintain at least the central 250 feet of the channel on the Crossings as river stages continue to fall (authorized width is 500 feet).
WALLACE McGEORGE: The industry dustpan dredge is expected to resume dredging operations on the central 250 feet of the channel at Baton Rouge Front (Mile 232.0 AHP) tomorrow. The WALLACE McGEORGE commenced dredging on the Crossings on Thursday, May 21, 2020.
JADWIN: The government dustpan dredge is expected to resume dredging operations at Alhambra Crossing (Mile 190.5 AHP) tomorrow. The USACE does not anticipate a need to close the White Castle Anchorage during the present assignment. The JADWIN began dredging on the Crossings on Thursday, May 21, 2020.
HURLEY: The government dustpan dredge HURLEY ceased dredging on the Crossings and is now dredging on the shallow-draft channel at Winchester (Mile 901 AHP). The HURLEY commenced dredging on the Crossings on June 29, 2020 departed for Victoria Bend on July 18, 2020 and resumed dredging on the Crossings on August 3, 2020. The dustpan dredge began the transit to Winchester on August 23, 2020. The HURLEY is expected to return to dredging on the Crossings in approximately two weeks.
INDUSTRY HOPPER DREDGE(S) ON THE CROSSINGS ABOVE NEW ORLEANS:
BAYPORT: The industry hopper dredge BAYPORT (Manson Construction) has resumed dredging the central 250 feet of channel at Medora Crossing (Mile 212 AHP). The hopper dredge is expected to complete this contract in mid-September. The BAYPORT commenced dredging on the Crossings on July 9, 2020.
GOVERNMENT HOPPER DREDGE(S) IN THE AREA OF SOUTHWEST PASS:
WHEELER: The USACE’s hopper dredge WHEELER is preparing to respond to Readiness Exercise #3-2020 on the Calcasieu Ship Channel but remains docked at the New Orleans District.
The Carrollton Gauge (New Orleans) reading at 1600 hours today was 5.34 feet with a 24-hour change of – 0.37 feet.
NOAA’s National Weather Service’s Extended Streamflow Prediction (28-Day) for the Carrollton Gauge issued today indicates a slow fall to 3.4 feet on September 24, 2020.
The Baton Rouge Gauge reading at 1600 hours today was 13.89 feet with a 24-hour change of – 0.20 feet.
NOAA’s National Weather Service’s Extended Streamflow Prediction (28-Day) for the Baton Rouge Gauge issued today predicts a slow fall to 8.8 feet on September 21, 2020.
