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.
Conferences
Moretrench Wrapup of Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference
GeoPrac sponsor Moretrench was very active at the recent Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference in New Orleans earlier this month. VP Paul Schmall helped teach a short course on grouting in underground construction, and Director […]
Project Related
Army Corps Looking for 100 Million Cu Yd of Clay
The US Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans district is looking for an unprecedented 100 Million Cubic Yards of Clay to be used for reconstruction and fortification of levees in the New Orleans area. Once borrow sources are approved by the Corps, they will likely be contracting directly with a USACOE contractor constructing one of the projects associated with New Orleans Hurricane Protection System. Material specs are USCS classification of CL or CH, <35% sand, PI < 10, organic content < 9%.
Project Related
Debate in Illinois over proposed USACE use of fly ash in Mississippi River levee stabilization
The Corps is proposing to use the fly ash as part of a lime slurry mixture for some kind of grouting to stabilize the levees according to the article. Environmentalists are concerned about the potential […]