The Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) did not close any bays on the Bonnet Carré Spillway today (Tuesday, April 2, 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 predicts the flow will be below the trigger point level (less than 1.25 million cfs) on or around April 5, 2019.
Today’s maximum flow projection is 1.31 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 opened. During the recorded crest 206 bays were opened and the maximum flow at Red River Landing was estimated to be 1.455 million cfs.
BONNET CARRÉ SPILLWAY OPERATIONS
| DATE | CARROLTON GAUGE (NEW ORLEANS) | BAYS OPENED | TOTAL NUMBER OF BAYS OPEN | TOTAL NUMBER OF BAYS CLOSED | SPILLWAY DISCHARGE CUBIC FEET PER SECOND (cfs) |
| 2/27/19 | 16.02 feet | 28 | 28 | N/A | 23,000 cfs |
| 2/28/19 | 16.20 feet | 20 | 48 | N/A | 37,000 cfs |
| 3/1/19 | 15.99 feet | 40 | 88 | N/A | 75,000 cfs |
| 3/2/19 | 16.00 feet | 20 | 108 | N/A | 93,000 cfs |
| 3/3/19 | 16.30 feet | 0 | 108 | N/A | 95,000 cfs |
| ¾/19 | 16.50 feet | 40 | 148 | N/A | 133,000 cfs |
| 3/5/19 | 16.5 feet | 0 | 148 | N/A | 144,000 cfs |
| 3/6/19 | 16.6 feet | 0 | 148 | N/A | 148,000 cfs |
| 3/7/19 | 16.6 feet | 20 | 168 | N/A | 169,000 cfs |
| 3/8/19 | 16.6. feet | 20 | 188 | N/A | 187,000 cfs |
| 3/9/19 | 16.7 feet | 0 | 188 | N/A | 191,000 cfs |
| 3/10/19 | 16.75 feet | 10 | 198 | N/A | 196,000 cfs |
| 3/11/19 | 16.6 feet | 8 | 206 | N/A | 196,000 cfs |
| 3/12/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 206 | N/A | 196,000 cfs |
| 3/13/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 206 | N/A | 202,000 cfs |
| 3/14/19 | 16.7 feet | N/A | 206 | N/A | 204,000 cfs |
| 3/15/19 | 16.7 feet | N/A | 196 | 10 | 196,000 cfs |
| 3/16/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 199,000 cfs |
| 3/17/19 | 16.9 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 204,000 cfs |
| 3/18/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 207,000 cfs |
| 3/19/19 | 16.9 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 207,000 cfs |
| 3/20/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 210,000 cfs |
| 3/21/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 196,000 cfs |
| 3/22/19 | 16.7 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 194,000 cfs |
| 3/23/19 | 16.7 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 193,000 cfs |
| 3/24/19 | 16.6 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 185,000 cfs |
| 3/25/19 | 16.6 feet | N/A | 196 | 0 | 177,000 cfs |
| 3/26/19 | 16.5 feet | N/A | 176 | 20 | 158,000 cfs |
| 3/27/19 | 16.6 feet | N/A | 152 | 24 | 132,000 cfs |
| 3/28/19 | 16.6 feet | N/A | 135 | 17 | 131,000 cfs |
| 3/29/19 | 16.7 feet | N/A | 135 | 0 | 131,000 cfs |
| 3/30/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 135 | 0 | 131,000 cfs |
| 3/31/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 135 | 0 | 131,000 cfs |
| 4/1/19 | 16.8 feet | N/A | 135 | 0 | 135,000 cfs |
| 4/2/19 | 16.7 feet | N/A | 135 | 0 | 132,000 cfs |
The operation of the Bonnet Carré Spillway will artificially control the extended crest now reduced to 16.7 feet (approximately). The present conditions and updated forecasts for the Carrolton Gauge indicate a slow fall has begun, the stage is expected to reach 13.4 feet on April 30, 2019.
The MVN expects all bays on the Bonnet Carré Spillway will be closed by April 14, 2019.
