Overview Of The SLFPA
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The document provides an overview of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority (SLFPA). It discusses the flood threats facing Louisiana from the Mississippi River and severe weather. It describes the history of flood control efforts and levee reforms following Hurricane Katrina. The SLFPA was created by consolidating local levee boards into a regional authority to oversee flood protection projects using a "multiple lines of defense" strategy along coastal Louisiana.
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Overview Of The SLFPA
- 1. Overview of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority The Mission, Organization and Nominations Process of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority Presented at the 2012 Joint Engineering Society Conference by J. Madison Drake PE CSP CQE F.NSPE Louisiana Engineering Society representative to the SLFPA Nominating Committee
- 2. Objectives of Presentation 1. To convey the urgency and importance of coordinated coastal protection planning, project development and execution 2. Familiarize attendees with the selection process of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority (SLFPA) 3. Encourage local engineers to serve on the flood protection boards and participate in the coastal planning and restoration process 2 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 3. Agenda Flood Threats to Louisiana Mississippi River Flooding Severe Weather Flood Protection Response Levee Reform Legislation Mission, Organization and Nomination process of SLFPA The Challenge of going forward 3 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 4. Mississippi River 4 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 5. Mississippi River Floods 5 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 6. 19th Century Engineers- Struggled to Control the Mississippi River Charles Ellet, Jr. General Andrew James Buchanan Eads Humphreys 6 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 7. Control of the River Levee‟s Only Policy Pursued by Gen Humphreys and the early Corps of Engineers prevalent in 1800s until proved inadequate in the Great Flood of 1927 Based on early hydraulic research performed in 1700s by European Engineer Guglielmini: The theory held that confining a river to a channel increases its velocity and ability to carry more sediment, which in turn scours out the river bed making it deeper and therefore capable of carrying more water By 1927 levees were built as high as 38 feet (12 meters)- the height of a four story building Numerous levee‟s failed some with the power of a bursting dam destroying everything within its path 7 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 8. Great Flood of 1927 The Mississippi and its swollen tributaries reached peak levels in April 1927 with flow rates estimated to be 2,500,000 cfs (71k m3/s) and overflowing its banks. Levees failed in 145 locations sending a walls of water across Midwestern farmlands up to 40 miles wide. The flood covered 27,000 miles2, (70,000 km2) destroyed 137,000 buildings, cost $347 million ($25.3 billion in 2010 dollars). The water remained above flood stage for 2 months, displacing 700,000 people from their homes. 8 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 9. Three Basic Methods to Lower Flood Levels Reservoirs on Tributaries Allows water to spread out into large land/lake areas Cut lines thru “S” Curves Straighten the river and increase its velocity “speeding the flood to the sea” Outlets and Spillways Divides flow into separate paths providing more capacity Spillways were proposed at Lake Ponchartrain and Lake Borne as early as 1816 Recommended by Charles Ellet in his studies of the river published in October 1851 Currently there are three primary outlets in the Lower Mississippi 9 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 10. River Control Outlets- Lower Mississippi Old River Control Structure Permanent structure diverts ~30% of River‟s flow down the Atchafalaya river and ~70% down the Mississippi River Built in stages from 1831 to early 1990s Morganza Spillway Redirects flow to the Atchafalaya Basin Completed in 1954 Designed for 600k cfs (17,000 m3/s) Protections Baton Rouge and below Bonnet Carre Spillway Diverts River to Lake Ponchartrain Completed in 1931 to protect city of New Orleans and communities below Designed for 250k cfs (7,080 m3/s) 10 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 11. Mississippi River Flooding, Spring 2011 Persistent rainfall (nearly 300 % normal amounts in the Ohio Valley) and melting snowpack caused historical flooding For the first time in 38 years, the Morganza Spillway was opened, flooding 4,600 square miles (12,000 km2) of rural LA The Bonnet Carre Spillway was opened for the first time in 11 years. 160 bays were opened for 31 days The River had the highest flow rates in the modern era (post 1930), above 1,600,000 cfs at the Tarbert Landing in May 2011 Red River Landing crested at 60.7 feet (18.5m) on April 24 Areas along the Mississippi experiencing flooding included Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana Estimated economic losses range from $3 – $4 billion 11 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 12. Comparison of 1927 to 2011 Floods 12 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 13. Mississippi River System- Flood Design Flow Rates 13 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 14. Old River Control Structures Features include Hydro Electric Plant, Outfall Channel, Auxiliary Channel, River Navigation Lock and old River dam 14 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 15. Geomorphology of the Old River Control 15 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 16. Morganza Spillway Completed in 1954 and first opened in 1973, the Morganza Spillway‟s was opened on May 14, 2011 with diversion of 125,000 cfs (3,500 m3/s) of water from the Mississippi River to the Atchafalaya Basin, 21% of its capacity. All bays were closed by July 16 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012 7, 2011.
- 17. May 2011 Flood Levels- Worst Case 17 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 18. Bonnet Carre Spillway Completed 1931 18 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 19. 2011 Mississippi River Flow Rates 19 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 20. The River at New Orleans- May 2011 20 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 21. Bonnet Carre Spillway May 2011 21 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 22. Severe Weather Threats to Louisiana Hurricanes Tropical Storm Surges High Winds & Torrential Rains Sea Level Rise & Land Loss 22 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 23. Hurricanes- 25 or More Deaths 1851-2010 23 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 24. Population Density South LA- 2000 Census 24 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 25. Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation- Multiple Lines of Defense (MLOD) Strategy for Sustainable Coast There are 11 Lines of Defense: 5 natural and 6 manmade 25 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 26. Comprehensive Evaluation of Projects based on MLOD strategy 26 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 27. Governmental and Political Reform Journal of American History, 94 (Dec. 2007), 780–88 The Post-Katrina, Semi-Separate World of Gender Politics by Pamela Tyler In the aftermath of Katrina, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers upgraded and armored the levees, however, discredited local entities were still responsible for maintenance The Citizen’s for One Greater New Orleans focused on the balkanized New Orleans area levee system, which were under the jurisdiction of no fewer than eight separate levee boards Politicized levee board members had expanded their authority far beyond inspection and maintenance of floodwalls The multitasking Orleans Levee Board managed casinos, developed real estate, owned a lakefront airport, two marinas, and employed a separate security force 27 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 28. Levee Board Consolidation Journal of American History - continued Then- State Senator Walter Boasso from St. Bernard Parish, the New Orleans Business Council, and the Citizens for One Greater New Orleans combined their efforts to craft new “Authority” legislation The outcome was nothing short of amazing. A majority in the legislature voted to present to the state electorate measures that would consolidate the levee boards In Sep 2006, 81% of the voters statewide approved a constitutional amendment for levee board consolidation, while an enthusiastic 97% of Orleans Parish voters 28 agreed. Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 29. Post Katrina Levee Board Reform Legislation Objectives of Governor Blanco’s letter dated Dec 10, 2005 1. To demand that focus be on flood related duties 2. To remove opportunities for patronage 3. To create regional levee protection 4. To provide constitutional protection for the new reforms LA Appropriations Conference Report – Dec 2005 “Provided further, That none of the $12,000,0000 provided for the Louisiana Hurricane Protection [and subsequent authorizations] shall be expended until the State establishes a single state entity to act as a local sponsor for construction, operation, and maintenance of all of the hurricane, storm damage reduction, and flood control projects…” 29 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 30. The LA Legislative Solution Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority was established to be the Single State Entity And under the CPRA the Legislation created the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority (SLFPA) to affect levee board consolidation: SLFPA – East SLFPA – West Bank Act 1 of the 2006 First Extraordinary Session created the two flood protections boards, LA Constitutional Amendment #3 and legislation Act 43 is also significant parts of the levee reform legislation. (R.S. 38:330.1) 30 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 31. State Government Organizations- CPRA and SLFPA The People Governor Louisiana Legislature CPRA SLFPA SLFPA Plaquemines Grand Isle South East Lafourche West Parish Independent Lafourche Basin Bank Government District Levee Levee District District Pontchartrain Atchafalaya Terrebonne St. Mary North Southwestern Levee District Basin Levee Levee & Parish Lafourche Louisiana - TBD District Conservation Government Levee Cameron, District District Vermilion, & Iberia 31 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 32. Single Responsible State Entity for Coastal Protection and Restoration Hurricane Protection Coastal Restoration Community Hazard Mitigation Development Block Grant Program Grant 32 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 33. 2012 Draft Master Plan 33 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 34. Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority Boards SLFPA-W SLFPA-E 7 Commissioners Staggered 4 Year Terms 9 Commissioners First Convened Feb 2007 Two Term Limitation First Convened Jan 2007 The Flood Authorities were established using the 'good governance„ model. Members are appointed by a “Qualification Based Process” and receive no compensated for their service. Members reside in each of the represented Parishes or At-Large. These restrictions and others produce a truly regional board 34 largely free ofOverview ofpressure political the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 35. US Army Corps of Engineers- Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) 35 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 36. SLFPA Nomination Process SLFPA – East: Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) Louisiana Geological Survey- LSU Nominating Assoc of State Floodplain Managers Committee National Society of Black Engineers UNO - College of Engineering Tulane - School of Science & Engineering SU – College of Engineering Submit Nominations to the LSU – College of Engineering Governor for Appointment American Society of Civil Engineers (2 Nominees for professional appointment) Louisiana Engineering Society SLFPA – West Bank: In addition to all of the above Harvey Canal Industrial Association Senate Confirmation Our Lady of Holy Cross College 36 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 37. Residency and Professional Qualifications East Bank Board- 9 West Bank Board- 7 Members members Residency Requirements Residency Requirements 2 members West Jefferson 1and only 1 member from each 2 members West Orleans parish: Jefferson, Orleans, St 3 members outside these parishes Bernard, St Tammy, and Tangipahoa Professional Qualifications 4 members outside these parishes 3 members shall be either an engineer or a professional in a related fields of Professional Qualifications geotechnical, hydrological, or environmental science. At least 1of these 5 shall be either an engineer or a 3 members shall be a civil engineer professional in a related field such 3 members shall be a professional in a as geotechnical, hydrological or discipline other than those identified environmental science. At least 1 of above, shall at a minimum hold a these 5 members shall be a civil baccalaureate degree from an accredited engineer institution of higher learning with at least ten years of professional experience in 2 members shall be a professional that discipline in a discipline other than listed And 1 member shall possess the previously with at least 10 years of qualifications set forth in either of these professional experience and categories 2 members will be at-large 37 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 38. Qualification Based Selection Process 1. Vacancies are announced publicly by the Secretary of State 2. Applicants are received and forwarded to the nominating committee 3. The committee votes to nominate a person(s) to a position on the board using a “qualification based process” 4. The nominee(s) is submitted to the Governor for Appointment 5. The Senate confirms the Appointment • Application forms and listing of the current board members is maintained on the Louisiana Secretary of State Website: http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/ • State employees cannot serve on either board due to potential conflict of interest • As trustee and fiduciary of all public interests before the Authority, Board members are subject to the Code of Governmental Ethics of Louisiana 38 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 39. Civil Engineer Position on SLFPA-W The West Bank Board has an immediate opening for a CE to join the Technical, Maintenance and Operations Committee This non-voting committee position will contribute to the Boards work and has been authorized in the Board‟s by-laws Opportunity to become familiar with the Board‟s work which could lead to future application to a full Commissioner's position. 39 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 40. The Challenge Going Forward 40 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 41. Projected Sea Level Rise 41 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 42. Projected Land Loss Roberts (2009), Drowning of the Mississippi Delta Due to Insufficient Sediment and Global Sea-level Rise, Nat. Geoscience, 2, 488–491. Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 43. Summary of Topics Flood Threats to Louisiana Mississippi River Severe Weather Flood Protection Response Levee Reform Legislation Mission, Organization and Nomination process of SLFPA The Challenge Going Forward 43 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
- 44. Questions and Comments 44 Overview of the SLFPA 1/16/2012
Editor's Notes
- The Mission, Organization and Nominations Process of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection AuthorityPrepared for Presentation at the 2012 Joint Engineering Society Conference Lafayette LA Jan 19, 2012by J. Madison Drake PE CSP CQE F.NSPE Louisiana Engineering Society representative to the SLFPA Nominating Committee
- Presentation ObjectivesTo convey the urgency and importance of coordinated coastal protection planning, project development and execution Familiarize attendees with the selection process of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority (SLFPA)Encourage local engineers to serve on the flood protection boards and participate in the Coastal Planning and Restoration Process
- Presentation AgendaFlood Threats to LouisianaMississippi RiverSevere WeatherFlood Protection ResponseLevee Reform LegislationMission, Composition and Nomination process of SLFPAThe Challenge Going Forward
- Reference: “Rising Tide, The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America” by John M. Barry, 1998, Simon and SchusterExtending North from Canada and South to the Gulf of Mexico the River and it’s tributaries covers 41% of the Continental United States. Its drainage basin extends into 31 of the 50 states. Measured from the head of its tributary, the Missouri River, as logical a starting place as any, it is the longest River and the world. It’s drainage basin is the third largest in the world topped only by the Amazon River in South America and the barely by the Congo River in Africa. The River is divided into three primary sections:Upper river and its tributaries- drainage, catchment, basinThe middle river- alluvial valleyLower river- deltaic plainA Levee is an earthen mound constructed to contain waterBabylonians leveed the Euphrates, Rome leveed the Tiber and the Po Rivers, By 1700 the Danube, the Rhine, the Volga and other European Rivers were leveedBy 1822 Levees began just below New Orleans and extended 155 miles north on the east bank and 180 miles on the west bankBy 1858 levees on both sides of the River extended over 1000 miles
- Mississippi River Floods, ReferenceSource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_River_floods 1.Flood of March 1543- Hernando DeSoto's party was passing through a village at the confluence of the Mississippi River and Arkansas River on March 18. The ensuing flood only allowed passage by canoe and inundated fields surrounding the town. The flooding lasted for 40 days.2.Flood of 1734-35- From December to June the City of New Orleans was inundated.3.Flood of 1788- In July, severe flooding of the Mississippi River resulted from a hurricane landfall.4.Flood of 1809- All of the lower Mississippi River was inundated by flooding.5.Flood of 1825- The flood of 1825 is the last known inundation of New Orleans due to spring flooding.6.Great Flood of 1844- The largest flood ever recorded on the Missouri River and Upper Mississippi River in terms of discharge. This flood was particularly devastating since the region had little or no levees at the time. Among the hardest hit were the Wyandot who lost 100 people in the diseases that occurred after the flood. The flood also is the highest recorded for the Mississippi River at St. Louis. After the flood, Congress in 1849 passed the Swamp Act providing land grants to build stronger levees.7.Great Flood of 1851- The flood occurred after record-setting rainfalls across the U.S. Midwest and Plains from May to August, 1851. The State of Iowa experienced significant flooding extending to the Lower Mississippi River basin. Historical evidence suggests flooding occurred in the eastern Plains, from Nebraska to the Red River basin, but these areas were sparsely settled in 1851. Heavy rainfall also occurred in the Ohio River basin. In June, major flooding on the Mississippi River was experienced.8.Great Mississippi Flood of 1927- The 1927 flood was the greatest flood in modern history on the lower MS River. In the summer of 1926 until the spring of 1927, heavy rains fell in eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and the Ohio Valley. The White and Little Red rivers broke through the levees in Arkansas in February, flooding over 400 km2 (99,000 acres) with 3 to 5 m (9.8 to 16 ft) of water. The first levee break along the Mississippi River occurred a few miles south of Elaine, Arkansas on March 29. Over the next six weeks, numerous levees broke along the Mississippi River from Illinois to Louisiana, which inundated numerous towns in the Mississippi Valley. The break at Mounds Landing near Greenville, Mississippi was the single greatest crevasse to ever occur along the Mississippi River. It flooded an area 80 km (50 mi) wide and 160 km (99 mi) long with up to 6 meters (20 ft) of water. Heavy spring rains caused a second major flood in the same region that June. In all, 73,500 km2 (28,400 sq mi) which were home to more than 931,000 people were inundated. To avoid flooding the city of New Orleans, the governor of Louisiana allowed engineers to create the Poydras cut, which saved the city but led to the flooding of St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes instead. Millions of acres across seven states were flooded. Evacuees totaled 500,000. Economic losses were estimated at US $1 billion (1927 dollars), which was equivalent to almost one-third of the federal budget at that time.9.Ohio River flood of 1937- The Ohio River flood of 1937 took place in late January and February 1937. With damage stretching from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois, one million persons were left homeless, with 385 dead and property losses reaching $500 million. The Bonnet Carre Spillway was opened for the first time and had 285 of the 350 bays opened for 48 days. New Orleans crested at 19.29 feet (5.88 m) on Feb 28th.10.Flood of 1945- Flooding between March and May resulted in Baton Rouge reaching its second highest recorded crest at 45.18 feet (13.77 m) on April 29. The Bonnet Carre Spillway was opened for the second time for 57 days.11.Mississippi Flood of 1973- The Mississippi Flood of 1973 occurred between March and May 1973 on the lower Mississippi River. The flood resulted in the largest volume of water to flow down the Mississippi since the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. Both the Bonnet Carre Spillway and the Morganza Spillway were employed. The Bonnet Carre was fully opened between April 7 and June 14 for a record 75 days. The 1973 flood was the first time the Morganza Spillway was opened: from April 19 through June 13.12.Flood of 1975- In April, 225 bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway were opened for 15 days, the shortest duration on record. Reserve, Louisiana had a crest of 24 feet (7.3 m) on April 14. The 8th highest on record.13.Flood of 1979- In April, all 350 bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway were opened for 45 days. Red River Landing crested at 59.19 feet (18.04 m) on April 23.14.Lower Mississippi Flood of 1983- The flood between May and June was the second most severe flood in the lower Mississippi Basin since 1927. Red River Landing, Louisiana, reached the 4th highest crest of record at 60.52 feet (18.45 m) on June 5 and was flooded for 115 days. All bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway were opened for 35 days.15.Great Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Flood of 1993- The flood occurred on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and their tributaries between April to October 1993. The flooded area totaled around 30,000 square miles (80,000 km²) and was the worst since the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 as measured by duration, square miles inundated, persons displaced, crop and property damage, and number of record river levels.16.Flood of 2002- In April, Red River Landing reached 58.60 ft (17.86 m), the 8th highest crest on record. 17.Flood of 2008- Iowa flood of 200818.Great Mississippi Flood of 2011- Between April 11 and May 12, heavy rain in the Mississippi River Valley necessitated the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway for the first time in 11 years. 160 bays were opened for 31 days. Red River Landing crested at 60.68 feet (18.50 m) on April 24, the 3rd highest on record. The Mississippi River floods in April and May 2011 were among the largest and most damaging along the U.S. waterway in the past century, rivaling major floods in 1927 and 1993. In April 2011, two major storm systems dumped record rainfall on the Mississippi River watershed. Rising from springtime snowmelt, the river and many of its tributaries began to swell to record levels by the beginning of May. Areas along the Mississippi itself experiencing flooding include Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. U.S. President Barack Obama declared the western counties of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi federal disaster areas. For the first time in 38 years, the Morganza Spillway was opened, deliberately flooding 4,600 square miles (12,000 km2) of rural Louisiana to save most of Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
- General Andrew Atkinson Humphreys, Charles Ellet and James Buchanan EadsGeneral Andrew Atkinson Humphreys: Became the Chief of Engineers in 1866, a position he held until June 30, 1879. He the 1867 Report on the Physics and Hydraulics of the Mississippi River, which gave him considerable prominence in the scientific community.James Buchanan Eads: The Mississippi in the 100-mile-plus stretch between the port of New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico frequently suffered from silting up of its outlets, stranding ships or making parts of the river unnavigable for a period of time. Eads solved the problem with wooden jetty system that narrowed the main outlet of the river, causing the river to speed up and cut its channel deeper, allowing year-round navigation. The jetty system was installed in 1876 and the channel was cleared in February 1877. A flood in 1890 brought calls for a similar system for the entire Mississippi Valley. A jetty system would prevent the floods by deepening the main channel. However, there were concerns about the ability of water moving through a jetty system to cut out the rock and clay on the river bottom. Top officials of the Army Corps of Engineers lobbied Congress for levees and flood walls of their own design, which exacerbated these disasters, and against Eads' jetty system, which would have reduced these disasters. Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Buchanan_EadsCharles Ellet developed theories for improving flood control and navigation of mid-western rivers. In 1849 he had advocated the use of reservoirs, built in the upper reaches of drainage basins, to retain water from the wet season that could be released during periods of low water to improve navigation; to some degree this also would tend to lessen the level of flooding during high flow. In 1850, the Secretary of War, conforming to an Act of Congress, directed Ellet to make surveys and reports on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers with a view to the preparation of adequate plans for flood prevention and navigation improvement. His report, published in 1851 was very complete, and it exercised considerable influence on later engineering thought and navigation improvements. Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Ellet,_Jr.
- The spillway, engineered into the lower Mississippi River, represented an about-face for the Army Corps of Engineers. Since they took over responsibility for flood control in 1879, the corps had insisted that only levees were needed to hold back a flood. That policy proved erroneous in 1927 once the levees started to breach.Chief Engineer Gen. Andrew A. Humphreys was again at the center of a national debate over control of the river. He was proven wrong in 1876 when civilian James B. Eads showed that the river mouth could dredge itself through a system of jetties. In 1879, the Mississippi River Commission adopted Humphreys‘ view that only levees were needed to protect the lower Mississippi Valley. Civilian engineers drew on the work of Charles Ellet to argue that respecting the river's natural Flooding by adding upstream reservoirs and emergency spillways would be safer. Humphries won the argument, setting the stage for catastrophe in 1927, when the single line of levee defense was breached.Reference: “Rising Tide, The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America” by John M. Barry, 1998, Simon and Schuster
- Great Mississippi Flood of 1927: The Mississippi and its swollen tributaries reached peak levels in April 1927 with flow rates estimated to be 2,500,000 cfs (71k m3/s) and overflowing its banks. Levees failed in 145 locations sending a walls of water across Midwestern farmlands up to 40 miles wide. The flood covered 27,000 miles2, (70,000 km2) destroyed 137,000 buildings, cost $347 million ($25.3 billion in 2010 dollars). The water remained above flood stage for 2 months, displacing 700,000 people from their homes.
- Three Basic Methods to Lower Flood LevelsReservoirs on TributariesAllows water to spread out into large land/lake areasCut lines thru “S” CurvesStraighten the river and increase its velocity “speeding the flood to the sea”Outlets and SpillwaysDivides flow into separate paths providing more capacitySpillways were proposed at Lake Ponchartrain and Lake Borne as early as 1816 Recommended by Charles Ellet in his studies of the river published in October 1851Currently there are three primary outlets in the Lower Mississippi Reference: “Rising Tide, The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America” by John M. Barry, 1998, Simon and Schuster
- River Control Outlets on the Lower MississippiOld River Control StructurePermanent structure diverts ~30% of River’s flow down the Atchafalaya river and ~70% down the Mississippi RiverBuilt in stages from 1831 to early 1990sMorganza SpillwayRedirects flow to the Atchafalaya BasinCompleted in 1954Designed for 600k cfs (17,000 m3/s)Protections Baton Rouge and below Bonnet Carre SpillwayDiverts River to Lake PonchartrainCompleted in 1931 to protect city of New Orleans and communities belowDesigned for 250k cfs (7,080 m3/s)
- Reference: http://www.noaa.gov/extreme2011/mississippi_flood.htmlMississippi River Flooding- Spring and Summer of 2011Persistent rainfall (nearly 300 % normal amounts in the Ohio Valley) and melting snowpack caused historical floodingFor the first time in 38 years, the Morganza Spillway was opened, deliberately flooding 4,600 square miles (12,000 km2) of rural Louisiana to save most of Baton Rouge and New OrleansThe Bonnet Carre Spillway was opened for the first time in 11 years. 160 bays were opened for 31 daysThe River experienced the highest flow rate in the modern era (post 1930), above 1,600,000 cfs at the Tarbert Landing Station in May 2011 Red River Landing crested at 60.68 feet (18.50 m) on April 24Areas along the Mississippi experiencing flooding included Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and LouisianaEstimated economic losses range from $3 – $4 billion
- Comparison of 1927 to 2011 Floods- The extent of flooded lands is shown, blue is the 1927 flood and green is the 2011 flooded areas
- Hydraulic design flow rates of the Mississippi River Control System
- Old River Control StructureFeatures include Hydro Electric Plant, Outfall Channel, Auxiliary Channel, River Navigation Lock and old River dam
- Geomorphology of the Old River ControlPrior Millennium: The Red River and the Mississippi river were independent parallel rivers flowing to the Gulf of Mexico15th Century: Westward meander belt of the Mississippi intercepts the Red. The upper Red becomes a tributary, the lower Red becomes a distributary called the Atchafalaya Bend.By 1778: The entrance to the Atchafalaya River was occluded by a logjam.1831 Shreve’s Cut: Shreve cuts off Turnbull’s 1831: Capt. Henry M. Shreve, founder of Shreveport and a world-renowned river engineer, dug a canal through the neck of Turnbull's Bend, thus shortening river travel time.1950 Upper Old River channel was abandoned Lower Old River links the three rivers, log jam in Atchafalaya is cleared. Atchafalaya becomes deeper and wider carrying more and more Mississippi flow.1963 New Orleans District completes construction of Overbank Structure and Low Sill Structure in 1964. Completes navigation lock and Old River Closure in 19631986-1990 Auxiliary Structure completed in 1986 and Hydropower plant completed in 1990.
- Morganza SpillwayCompleted in 1954 and first opened in 1973, the Morganza Spillway’s was opened on May 14, 2011 with diversion of 125,000 cfs (3,500 m3/s) of water from the Mississippi River to the Atchafalaya Basin, 21% of its capacity. All bays were closed by July 7, 2011.Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morganza_Spillway
- Worst Case May 2011 Flood LevelsTimes Picayune Graphic showing Worst Case flooding if Morganza Spillway was not opened. The May 9. 2011 Corps of Engineer Pre-Decisional Document Scenario 2 contains estimates of the projected Flood Levels without opening the Morganza Spillway.
- The Bonnet Carre Spillway was completed in 1931It was authorized by the 1928 Flood Control Act was part of a vast public works project engineered to avoid a repeat of the disastrous 1927 flood. It consists of two primary components, a control structure on the east bank of the Mississippi River and a floodway that channels to water to Lake Ponchartrain. It is constructed north west of the city of New Orleans where the River is closest to the Lake. The Spillway has been opened 10 times over the 80 years of operation.Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnet_Carr%C3%A9_Spillway#History_of_openings
- 2011 Mississippi River Flow RatesCalendar year 2011 flow rates of the Mississippi River measured at the Tarbert Landing Gage located near the Old River Control Structure in thousands of cubic feet per second. The Red line represents the highest flow rate in recorded history (above 1,600,000 cfs) in May 2011 shortly before the Morganza and the Bonnet Carre Spillways were opened. Reference: http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/eng/edhd/watercon.asp
- Dramatic Times Picayune images of Mississippi River in the vicinity of New Orleans during May 2011 with the operation of all lower river outlets.
- Images of Bonnet Carre Spillway May 2011. Photo credits: upper left USACE, three remaining Times Picayune
- Severe Weather Threats to Louisiana- Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, Torrential Rainfall, and Sea Level Rise and Land Loss
- Hurricane Tracks 25 or More Deaths 1851-2010The message to coastal residents is this: Become familiar with what hurricanes can do, develop a hurricane plan, and when a hurricane threatens your area, increase your chances of survival by executing your plan. The largest loss of life can occur in the storm surge, so coastal residents should prepare to move away from the water until the hurricane has passed! Unless this message is clearly understood by coastal residents through a thorough and continuing preparedness effort, a future disastrous loss of life is inevitable.
- Reference: Comprehensive Recommendations Supporting the Use of the Multiple Lines of Defense Strategy to Sustain Coastal Louisiana 2008 Report (Version I) Page 56 Figure 23: Population map of south Louisiana from the USACE Planning Atlas. Note the population centers correspondwith high levels of protection with levees and other Lines of Defense. One green dot represents 250 persons. The population closest to the coast also typically follows the ridges along bayous.
- Reference: Comprehensive Recommendations Supporting the Use of the Multiple Lines of Defense Strategy to Sustain Coastal Louisiana 2008 Report The Lines of Defense profile illustration is a diagrammatic profile of the general coast of south Louisiana, indicating the eleven types of Lines of Defense. Lines of Defense are natural or manmade features that contribute to the abatement of storm damage by reducing storm surge. One through five are natural landscape Lines of Defense. Six through eleven are manmade Lines of Defense, which may, through design or incidentally, provide a measure of reduction in storm damage. All eleven Lines of Defense may be influenced by human activities. Natural1st LOD Offshore Shelf: During Hurricane Katrina there was 60 foot waves in the Gulf Of Mexico. These huge waves did not hit land because the offshore shelf greatly reduces wave height by reducing the depth of the water. However, the offshore shelf does cause the storm surge to increase. The shape of the shelf needs to be studied to determine the effect its shape has on wave and surge height. 2nd LOD Barrier Islands: Barrier islands cause the waves associated with tropical storms to break, protecting the interior sound and coastal marsh. They also help to reduce storm surge.3rd LOD Sounds: Sounds provide a buffer to the strong currents that occur in deeper water. Sounds do however allow waves to re-generate.4th LOD Marsh Land Bridges: These are areas of continual marsh, commonly adjacent to natural ridges or levees. Land bridges reduce waves and impede storm surge, protecting areas further inland that perform the same function.5th LOD Natural Ridges: Natural ridges are the remains of natural levees from abandoned river channels. They can extend for miles and typically have an elevation of a few feet above sea-level. Many have state highways along them. They commonly determine the natural flow of water throughout the region. They reduce waves and storm surge.Manmade6th LOD Highways: Many highways in the coast are elevated several feet to reduce their probability of flooding, which can reduce the height of waves and storm surges similar to natural ridges.7th LOD Flood Gates: Floodgates are designed to hold high waves and storm surge out of an area but allow natural flow during calm weather. Because our coast is only a few feet above sea level floodgates must be placed along levees or spoil banks8th LOD Levees: Levees are designed to be an absolute barrier to flooding, storm surge, and high waves. Levees are commonly used to protect highly developed areas such as Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes.9th LOD Pump Stations: Pump stations are designed to remove runoff from heavy rainfall. They are not designed to deal with the type of flooding that can occur if a levee is breached.10th LOD Hurricane : All homes and businesses in southeast Louisiana are subject to flooding if they are not raised above the recommended height. Elevating our assets that cannot be easily moved is their last line of defense. 11th LOD Evacuation: Evacuation is the last Line of Defense for anyone living in hurricane prone areas. While highways are the most common form railroads and airline travel can also be used. Reference: http://saveourlake.org/multiple-lines-of-defense.php
- Reference: Comprehensive Recommendations Supporting the Use of the Multiple Lines of Defense Strategy to Sustain Coastal Louisiana 2008 Report (Version I)
- Reference: The Post-Katrina, Semi-separate World of Gender Politics by Pamela Tyler Journal of American History, 94 (Dec. 2007), 780–88:In the aftermath of Katrina, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers upgraded and armored the levees, however, discredited local entities were still responsible for maintenance The Citizen’s for One Greater New Orleans focused on the balkanized New Orleans area levee system, which were under the jurisdiction of no fewer than eight separate levee boards Politicized levee board members had expanded their authority far beyond inspection and maintenance of floodwallsThe multitasking Orleans Levee Board managed casinos, developed real estate, owned a lakefront airport, two marinas, and employed a separate security force
- Reference: Journal of American History, 94 (Dec. 2007), 780–88 The Post-Katrina, Semi-Separate World of Gender Politics by Pamela TylerLevee Board ConsolidationAct 1 of the 2006 First Extraordinary Session created the two flood protections boards, LA Constitutional Amendment #3 and legislation Act 43 is also significant parts of the levee reform legislation. (R.S. 38:330.1)
- The 2006 Post Katrina Levee Board Reform Legislation was primary lead by Senator Boasso and the Citizens for One Greater New Orleans. The LA Appropriations Committee established the requirement for a single state entity to as a local sponsor for Flood Control LegislationSince 2005, Congress has released $15 billion for repair and improvement to the region's failed hurricane protection system But Congress also inserted language into the 3rd Supplemental Public Law 109-148 requiring the establishment of "...a single state or quasi-state entity to act as local sponsor for construction, operation and maintenance.." of federally funded projects
- The Louisiana Legislative Solution
- State GovernmentOrganization Chart of CPRA, SLFPA and the other State Government entities
- The draft 2012 Master Plan was just released (January 2012) for public comment and is located on the CPRA Website:The 2012 Master Plan is the Way ForwardA ground breaking planning effort by the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority shows that while the future looks bleak, we have the opportunity to take bold action to save the coast and secure south Louisiana’s future.The CPRA’s Draft 2012 Coastal Master Plan is based on a two year analysis involving some of the state’s best scientists as well as national and international specialists. The state used this analysis to select 145 high performing projects that could deliver measurable benefits to our communities and coastal ecosystem over the coming decades. The plan shows that if these projects were fully funded, at a price tag of $50 billion, we could substantially increase flood protection for communities and create a sustainable coast.
- The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East (SLFPA-E) covers three consolidated districts: East Jefferson Levee District, Orleans Levee District, and Lake Borgne Basin Levee District: The mission of the SLFPA-E is to ensure the physical and operational integrity of the regional flood risk management system, and to work with local, regional, state, and federal partners to plan, design, and construct projects that will reduce the probability and risk of flooding for the residents within the authorities jurisdictionThe Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – West Bank (SLFPA-W) convers the two consolidated districts: West Jefferson Levee District and the Algiers Levee District.The SLFPA-West mission is to protect life and property for more than 90,000 households and 7,500 businesses on the west bank of Orleans and Jefferson parishes by providing effective, efficient protection from hurricane storm surges and other high-water events that impact levees and other flood-control structures. The Authority has jurisdiction for 66 miles of levees and floodwalls in Jefferson, Orleans, St. Charles and Plaquemines parishes. Since 2006, all of the Authority’s levees and floodwalls have been improved for the protection of residents in south Louisiana.
- US Army Corps of Engineers- Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS)Reference: http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/hps2/
- Residency and Professional Qualifications of the SLFPASummary of Residency and Professional Qualifications of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Boards which are specified in the legislation Louisiana R.S. 38:330.1 as amended by HR 796 of the 2009 Regular Session
- Qualification Based Selection ProcessVacancies are announced publicly by the Secretary of StateApplicants are received and forwarded the nominating committeeThe committee votes to nominate a person(s) to a position on the board using a “qualification based process”The nominee(s) is submitted to the Governor for AppointmentThe Senate confirms the Appointment
- The Challenge Going ForwardEncouraging qualified and dedicated community minded citizens to serve on the Flood Protection Boards and establishing a governance model for the continued development and execution of the State’s Master Coastal Protection and Restoration Plan
- Projected Sea Level RiseReference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_level_rise#ProjectionsThe 2007 Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC 4) projected century-end sea levels using the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES). SRES developed emissions scenarios to project climate change impacts. The six SRES "marker" scenarios projected sea level to rise by 18 to 59 centimeters (7.1 to 23 in). There projections were for the time period 2090–99, with the increase in level relative to average sea level over the 1980–99 period. This estimate did not include all of the possible contributions of ice sheets. More recent research from 2008 observed rapid declines in ice mass balance from both Greenland and Antarctica, and concluded that sea-level rise by 2100 is likely to be at least twice as large as that presented by IPCC AR4, with an upper limit of about two meters.A literature assessment published in 2010 by the US National Research Council described the above IPCC projections as "conservative," and summarized the results of more recent studies. These projections ranged from 56–200 centimeters (22–79 in), based on the same period as IPCC 4. In 2011, Rignot and others projected a rise of 32 centimeters (13 in) by 2050. Their projection included increased contributions from the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. Use of two completely different approaches reinforced the Rignot projection.
- Summary of Topics covered during the presentationFlood Threats to LouisianaMississippi RiverSevere WeatherFlood Protection ResponseLevee Reform LegislationMission, Composition and Nomination process of SLFPA
- Questionsand Comments