Corps Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Storm Surge Barrier
On Thursday December 4, 2008, the Corps of Engineers held a groundbreaking ceremony for the commencement of construction on a hurricane storm surge barrier that will prevent hurricane storm surge from entering the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) and ultimately prevent storm surge from reaching the Inner Harbor Canal aka the Industrial Canal.
In terms of hurricane protection, this is an important project for the City of New Orleans. Hurricane storm surge pushed into the Industrial Canal is a significant risk for flooding in the City of New Orleans proper.
During Hurricane Katrina, the storm surge into the Industrial Canal caused four levee breaches that flooded parts of New Orleans including the Ninth Ward. This project would likely prevent much of this type of flooding.
The Corps expects to have a 14 foot storm surge barrier in place by August 2009 and expects to have a 24 foot barrier in place by 2011.
For more information on this project, see Amy Wold's report in the Friday December 5, 2008 Baton Rouge Advocate entitled, Corps Building Two Mile Flood Wall.
