National Geographic has published an article on the New Orleans levee system entitled "New Orleans Levees, Are They Safe?". The article indicates, as has been reported from other sources, that the levees are now back to where they were Pre-Katrina, but is that really good enough? A group funded by the NSF with members including UMR Professor J. David Rogers and Berkley professor Bob Bea has pointed out various shortcomings of the levee system. The Corps has responded with the view that the levee system is adequate, and that new flood gates will prevent a storm surge like Katrina’s from overtopping the existing levee system.
Press Releases
USACE Blasts Time Magazine Article
USACE responds to TIME magazine’s August 13, 2007, cover story, "The Threatening Storm"
WASHINGTON (August 13, 2007) – TIME magazine’s August 13, 2007, cover story, "The Threatening Storm," contains many errors and misrepresentations of facts with respect to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hurricane Katrina, and ongoing efforts to improve hurricane and storm damage reduction for southeast Louisiana.
Available Resources
Corps of Engineers Planning Additiional Sheet-Piling and Deep Soil Mixing along New Orleans Levees
Complete plans have not been released yet, but an environmental impact document outlines general plans for stabilization of the 17th Street Canal in New Orleans using Deep Soil Mixing techniques. Portions of the London Avenue […]
Miscellaneous
Dam Safety News Highlights
The Association of State Dam Safety Officials publishes monthly news items related to levee and dam safety and associated projects. Their April news items were just published this week and there are several interesting items. Read on for more info.