Topic starter
19/09/2010 8:12 pm
Greetings From New Orleans ,
It has recently come to the attention of the three Louisiana , State Pilot Associations that the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers will now limit the amount of dredging on the Lower Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge .
There are eight deep water crossings between New Orleans and Baton Rouge and in order to keep these same deep water crossings accessible to the deep draft vessels that transit between New Orleans and Baton Rouge , both private and Corps Of Engineers dredges regularly operate and dredge these crossing on almost a full time basis .
Until recently these dredges maintained a 500' wide and 47' deep channel and now we are told that these dredges will now only maintain a 250' wide and 40' deep channel .
We are also told that the reason for this reduction in dredging is due to financial cut backs with this aspect of Corps Of Engineers work and maintenance .
What this cut back will ultimately result in is less cargo going to Baton Rouge , a much higher risk in meeting and overtaking situations between the large and heavy draft vessels that transit this area and these same heavy draft ships will go to other deep draft ports .
Furthermore , it has also been reported by the respective shipping companies that come to this Gulf Coast port , that their profit margins are actually determined by literally a few inches in draft that will result in either a profitable or non profitable voyage . So , if a loaded tanker going to the Exxon , Baton Rouge refinery has to trim its draft from 47' to just 40' and loose up to seven feet of draft/cargo , then there is a very good chance that this same shipping company will choose to take its cargo to some other deep draft port in order to make a profit .
Its any ones guess how long this cut back in dredging will take place but needless to say it will have a detrimental effect on the port , the people and the related services that work hand in hand with this local marine industry !
I now wonder if the current political administration we now have in Washington will consider a financial " Bail Out " for the Louisiana , Marine Industry as it did for a number of other less financial stable industries that it came to the rescue with ??
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
19/09/2010 9:14 pm
I have a couple of questions out of curiosity. If the river rises, does the bottom in the crossings shoal up, or get deeper? How often is the river high enough to present a depth of more than 47 feet without dredging?
20/09/2010 4:45 pm
And yet another direct hit to the state of Louisiana.....
Topic starter
20/09/2010 8:46 pm
Michael , Thanks for your interest !
Michael ,
First of all , thanks for your interest and your questions concerning the nature of the river with respect to shoaling and dredgeing !
Secondly , I apologize for not being a bit more specific with some statements concerning the dredgeing of the river between New Orleans and Baton Rouge .
Generally speaking , I have noticed the dredges out and in operation from mid spring to mid fall and especially during those times of what we refer to as dead low river .
It has also been my observation that the river will generally rise and fall between ten to twelve feet in this general area and of course this will certainly have an effect on the overall condition of the deep water crossings between New Orleans and Baton Rouge .
Yes , the higher the river , there will be more water in the crossings and the big concern will be how rapidly will the river eventually fall out .
I have noticed on a fast falling river , the crossings will fill in rapidly due to the fact that the river current will not have the time and force to help scour out the botton of the river in these crossings .
Also , the deep draft vessels that transit these same crossings will also help keep the channel deep by simply plowing through and and stiring up and assisting the river current to scour out the channels as well .
One other issue we have to contend with is that although the Corps Of Engineers once guarenteed a 500' wide channel , the sides or walls of the channel will have a propensity to cave in to the center of the crossing and thus not only narrow the channel but to also fill in the deep water channel as well .
Hope this may be of some help to you with your questions and I appreciate your interest and please feel free to ask anything else you may have concering this issue .
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
Michael Gillespie;23170 wrote: I have a couple of questions out of curiosity. If the river rises, does the bottom in the crossings shoal up, or get deeper? How often is the river high enough to present a depth of more than 47 feet without dredging?
21/09/2010 8:45 pm
*RE: Corps of Engineers/Dredging*
Ted & steamboating colleagues:
Thanks to Ted for the 'heads up' on the important issue of dredging as spelled out in the postings on this thread. This issue more important than many think. 'Health of the rivers is the economic health of the nation.' Letters from interested citizens on this issue cross over those of local districts. When representatives voted into state houses or U.S. House and Senate they represent all the people. I never swallowed the excuse when writing a representative hearing in return, "You don't live in my district." We may not live in "my district" but we pay taxes for all--and their many cushy benefits not enjoyed by the majority of American citizens.
I went on line and found Congressional Oversight for the U.S. Corps of Engineers.
1. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
2. House Committee on Appropriations.
3. House Commitee on Small Businesses.
4. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
5. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
6. Senate Committee on Appropriations.
7. Senate Committee on armed services.
My intent is to E=Mail/write my representatives in addition to sending E=-Mails to the appropriate contact person/committee/office on this issue. I heartily ecourgage others to consider this.
Years ago [1962] Capt. Donald T. Wright of the 'Waterways Journal' spoke/lobbied vigorously even giving speeches to DELTA QUEEN passengers after dinner on the then threatening 'Low Bridge' issues for new construction over our major rivers/canals etc. He rallied the cause. S&D's motto includes, 'Lighting up the past, present and future of our rivers.' Let's consider this also along with those letters concerning the DELTA QUEEN. Consult your search machine for name, address of the commander of the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Sorry for the crypic message but I'm running late here for a meeting.
R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.