The Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) continues to respond to the shoaling, created by the extended high river stages of early 2018, on the Crossings Above New Orleans and in the New Orleans Harbor. The MVN is actively dredging on the Crossings Above New Orleans with all three dustpan dredges working to restore at least the central 250 feet of channel. Federally authorized channel dimensions on the Crossings Above New Orleans are 45 feet by 500 feet.
The Carrollton Gauge reading at 1400 hours today was 4.27 feet, with a 24-hour change of + 0.06 feet.
The Baton Rouge Gauge reading at 1400 hours today was 13.29 feet, with a 24-hour change of – 0.21feet.
The graph below is reproduced from NOAA’s National Weather Service website and represents an experimental product based on the complexity of accurately predicting long-range precipitation. This forecast projects stage levels based on expected precipitation for 2 days (top) and 16 days (bottom) and was developed within the North American Ensemble Forecast System (NAEFS) computer model and highlights Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPF). Along with the forecasts, a shaded area is also provided to indicate uncertainty for the forecast each day in the future. These plots are experimental and not an official forecast product.
DUSTPAN DREDGES ON THE CROSSINGS ABOVE NEW ORLEANS:
HURLEY: The Corps’ dustpan dredge HURLEY continues dredging at Wilkerson Point (Mile 235 Above Head of Passes [AHP]) on the shallow-draft channel but is expected to return to Red Eye Crossing (Mile 224 AHP) by August 7, 2018. The dustpan dredge began dredging on the Crossings on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.
WALLACE McGEORGE: The industry dustpan dredge WALLACE McGEORGE has commenced dredging full channel dimensions (500 feet) at Sardine Point (Mile 219 AHP). The WALLACE McGEORGE commenced dredging on the Crossings on Friday, May 11, 2018.
JADWIN: The Corps’ dustpan dredge JADWIN continues dredging full channel dimensions (500 feet) at Belmont Crossing (Mile 154 AHP). The NOBRA and Federal Pilots will anchor vessels in the Belmont Anchorage (Mile 154 AHP To Mile 152.9 AHP) “as far east as possible” in an effort to keep the Anchorage accessible while the dustpan dredge is working this location. The JADWIN began dredging on the Crossings on Thursday, May 10, 2018.
CUTTERHEAD DREDGE AT THE NEW ORLEANS HARBOR:
MIKE HOOKS: The MVN issued a contract to Mike Hooks, Inc. to dredge in the New Orleans Harbor and is coordinating the cutterhead assignment with the representatives of the Port of New Orleans. The cutterhead dredge MIKE HOOKS completed dredging under the contract for the Port of New Orleans yesterday, August 2, 2018. The cutterhead has commenced dredging under contract for MVN, the dredge’s present assignment extends from Orange Street Wharf to Poydras Street Wharf.
The dredge will work at the Julia Street Cruise Terminal when the berth is vacant.
