Morganza Spillway Structure

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The Morganza Spillway allows the emergency release of floodwater from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya Basin to the west, reducing the level of the river (and pressure on the levees).

The line that runs near the river from the southeast to the northwest is the control structure. This controlled process of flooding mimics what naturally occurred on the river before its banks were leveed.

In May, 2011, the spillway was planned to be opened for the first time in 38 years, flooding about 3,000 square miles under as much as 25 feet of water, including 11,000 structures housing 25,000 residents. This emergency measure was required to prevent the flooding of New Orleans, Baton Rouge and numerous oil refineries downstream.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morganza_Spillway
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Coordinates:   30°46'32"N   91°37'17"W

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This article was last modified 2 years ago