New Orleans bets water levels to stay safe at 17 feet despite flood

NEW ORLEANS port officials were hopeful that shipping on the lower Mississippi wouldn't be hindered by Mississippi flooding now that spillways have been opened to reduce the flow of water past Baton Rouge and New Orleans, reports Newark's Journal of Commerce.


The US Army Corps of Engineers began opening the Morganza floodway above Baton Rouge on Saturday to divert part of the river's flow into the Atchafalaya River basin, which empties into the Gulf at Morgan City west of New Orleans.


"We are working closely with the US Coast Guard (USCG) to monitor the high-river situation, but all indications point to avoiding any major restrictions on the lower Mississippi River," said Port of New Orleans CEO Gary LaGrange.


The USCG said it does not expect significant restrictions unless the Carrollton gauge at New Orleans reaches 18 feet (5.5 metres) which was considered unlikely, said the report. The river is expected to remain steady at 17 feet on the gauge during the next two weeks.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)