Crews conduct test opening of the Bonnet Carré Spillway amid rising river levels

NORCO, La. (WGNO) — As the Mississippi River continues to rise, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a test opening of the Bonnet Carré Spillway.

The test was designed to familiarize crews with the near-century-old technology and to make sure everything- and everyone- is ready, should activation be needed in the weeks ahead.

“We have not had high water like this in several years on the river. So, it’s just a chance to get out and get the crews familiar with the experience of opening it up,” Matt Roe with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said.

The Mississippi River is currently holding at about 14 feet in the New Orleans area. Forecasts show a crest of 16.5 feet by April 30, high enough to monitor closely but not yet at emergency levels.

During the test, engineers simulated the entire opening process: checking gates, inspecting equipment and walking crews through the necessary steps to operate the structure.

“We do this when the river is high enough, as y’all can see behind me. The river is, pushing through the structure itself, and that’s very close to when we actually operate,” Roe said.

The Bonnet Carré Spillway was completed in 1931 and remains one of the region’s most important flood protection tools. When fully opened, it diverts excess water from the Mississippi River into Lake Pontchartrain, reducing pressure on the levee system that protects the New Orleans metro area.

If river flows reach 1.25 million cubic feet per second, the Corps could shift from test mode to full activation.

The Corps of Engineers says it will continue monitoring the river closely. If levels keep rising, a full opening could happen in the coming weeks.

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