The document summarizes the geotechnical and design challenges in rebuilding the levees in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, including conducting over 350 miles of borings and tests, implementing GIS systems to manage the large amount of data, and emphasizing safety, communication, logistics, and a systems approach. Key lessons learned included the importance of safety planning, open communication, treating the process as a system to enhance productivity while ensuring quality, and verifying conditions rather than assuming them.

1. Geotechnical and Design Challenges in Rebuilding New Orleans’ Levees Dr. Rob Mullins, PE, PMP, AICP October 27, 2009 2009 California Water Conference Sacramento, California

5. Geotechnical Process Flow Diagram