The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says conditions won't require opening the Morganza Floodway for a little while longer. The Corps today announced it is delaying the expected opening until Sunday, June 9.
"The Mississippi River is predicted to reach 60 ft. at the structure on June 12, 2019 instead of the previously forecasted June 9, 2019," the Corps said in its announcement. "The Army Corps of Engineers only intends to operate the structure when needed as to not put additional water into the Atchafalaya Basin."
It's the second delay since the Corps announced last month that it intended to open the floodway in Point Coupee Parish, upriver from Baton Rouge. The floodway directs Mississippi River floodwaters into the Atchafalaya Basin. It has only been opened three times since it was built in 1954.
On May 27, the Corps first announced its intention to open the floodway, with a target date of June 2. Three days later, it said the Mississippi wasn't expected to hit the flow rate to trigger an opening until June 6.
Corps officials say when an opening happend, it will be a slow process.
''A slow opening, a gradual opening where over a three day period, we are able to limit the amount of water into the floodway,'' said Boyett.
One bay a day for six days -- that way, he says, it will give farmers and livestock owners time to move their animals, as well as time for wild animals to get on the move.
''We're working to get the notification out for those who have livestock in the area so we hope get can get all the livestock out in advance the gradual opening is really focused on animals like the Black Bear to get them out,'' Boyett said.