Today’s USCG Port Coordination Team – High Water Conference report highlights:

 

Current River Stages

  • The LMR stage at BR today at 2pm is 34.42’ and rising.
  • The LMR stage at New Orleans today at 2pm is at 12.38’ and rising. 

NOAA/NWS Crest Predictions  (As of 30 May)

  • 2″ to 4” of rain predicted in Arkansas River basin.
  • Red River cresting @ 57.5′ on 25th
  • Baton Rouge is cresting @ 40.5’ on 26th
  • NOLA is cresting @ 16.5′ on 27th

 

USACE:

  • The river at New Orleans has reached 11.0’ and the USACE activated Phase 1 Flood Fight.
    • Levy patrols twice weekly
  • When the river at New Orleans reaches 15.0’ the USACE activates Phase 2 Flood Fight.
    • Daily Levy patrols
  • Lock restrictions in place:
  • Port Allen Lock:

 

When the Mississippi River at Baton Rouge reaches +38.0 feet and rising:

 

     -Single tow length will be limited to 1,050 feet in accordance with the Waterway Action Plan 

 

     -Multi-vessel lockings will not be allowed if total length is greater than 950 feet

 

When the MS River at Baton Rouge reaches +41.0 feet:

 

    -Multi-vessel tow lockings from the river will be prohibited when 1 tow is greater than 600 feet long. Light boats will be allowed to lock with them. 

 

    -Empty barge tows are required to double wrap the floating bit

 

Harvey Lock:

 

When the MS River at Harvey Lock reaches +13.0 feet, knockout tows will be prohibited.

 

  • Monitoring forecasts regarding Bonne Carre Spillway Operations
    • If opened, Bonne Carre anchorage will have to be vacated.
  • Dreding in SWP commencing with 2 hopper dredges, a 3rd and 4th forthcoming.  Still working to get a cutter head dredge.

 

 

USCG:

  • COTP Comments
  • MSIB 12’ and Rising issued.
  • COTP New Orleans monitoring and will issue MSIB’s in accordance with High Water Plan. (See attached High Water Section)
  • MSU Baton Rouge monitoring and will issue MSIB’s at various trigger points in accordance with the Baton Rouge Annex. (See attached)
    • Baton Rouge Annex specific sites are as follows:
      • GNOBFA Barge Fleeting Operations – Page 18
      • LIne Tows Transiting Wilkinson Point – Pages 19-22
      • Tows Topping Around – Page 23
      • Tows Entering/Exiting Port Allen Lock – Pages 24-25
      • Deep Draft Vessels MM 225-234 – Page 26
      • All Vessels MM 170-182 – Page 28

 

Pilots:

BAR –  Monitoring at this time.

 

CRPPA – Monitoring at this time.

 

NOBRA – Pilot Restrictions Issued. 

  • 1.  When the Carrollton gauge reaches 12 feet continuing until the Carrollton gauge is 12 feet and falling:

(1) Mooring and unrnooring operations at all mid-stream transfer facilities shall be restricted to daylight hours; and

 

  1.  When the Carrollton gauge reaches 16 feet until the Baton Rouge gauge is 40 feet falling in combination with the Carrollton gauge 16 feet falling:

(1) Mile 233 AHP to Mile 90.5 AHP, south bound vessels will be daylight only; 

(2) Mile 166 AHP to Mile 232.2 AHP, all vessels will be daylight only; 

(3) Vessels anchoring in NOBRA ‘s area of responsibility with a draft of 35 feet or greater must maintain a pilot on board while at anchor to insure the safety of the vessel; and 

(4) Pilots dispatched to ensure a vessel remains stable at a safe berth shall serve no more than six consecutive bridge hours.

Federal – Pilot Restriction Issued.

  • Mooring and unrnooring operations at all mid-stream transfer facilities shall be restricted to daylight hours

 

Information will be updated upon receipt. 

 

 

Sincerely,
“Capt Ron”
Ronald W. Branch, CAPT. USCG (Ret.)
President
Louisiana Maritime Association (LAMA)
Ron.branch@louisianamaritime.org