re: Looks like they will open the Bonnet Carré Spillway

quote:

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The structure was opened once, however, in 1973. While that was during a major flood, the reason for opening the structure was to take the pressure off of the Old River Control Structure just upstream. The main dam in the Old River Control project was crumbling, and if it failed completely, the Mississippi River would have changed course right then and there. The Morganza Floodway drained off enough water and the Old River Control Structure held, saving the day.

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