High River Update For New Orleans !

Now It Is Official !

Greetings From New Orelans !
Now it is official ! Today , my office received official word from the powers that be from the second largest refinery in the United States , the Exxon/Mobil Refinery in Baton Rouge , that they will be closing down due to the extreme high river water levels and overall conditions !
Furthermore , at this point it is also uncertain as to when when this refinery will reopen !
Just imagine what this will do to the overall supply of fuel and what if any impact this will have on the cost of a gallon of gas ?? Its anyone's guess and not to mention all the other businesses that will be affected either directly or indirectly !
It is also official now that the New Orleans , Bonnet Carre Spillway will be opened this coming Monday at approximately 8 am .
As I write this posting , I am presently on a north bound bulker bound for the I C Rail terminal loacated in Convent , La. and as of right now I have been averageing only six mile per hour ! Normally this same ship should easily do any where from ten to eleven miles per hour but with a four to five mile per hour current , it is literally slow going for any north bound vessel !
One other development that I am sure will be a cost to the American towing industry is the fact now the larger tows ( 30 to 40 barges ) are now NOT so large and even these now are only tranisiting through the Baton Rouge harbor only in daylight hours ! Imagine what that is costing these tow ompanies in terms of lost time and additional fuel costs !
More latter as things develope !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
NOBRA 70

Ted Davisson;25835 wrote: Greetings From New Orleans ,
Today , May 6 , 2011 , the Coast Guard , Vessel Traffic Center has just released the latest river stage update for New Orlleans !
According to the Coast Guard the last river stage prediction was just over 17' on the New Orelans , Carrollton River Gage .
However , today they predicts that the high water river stage for New Orleans will now well exceed that first prediction and in all likelyhood it will now will crest well over 19 and a half feet ! Without a doubt this will be one high water season for the record books and could very well be highrer than thespring flood of 1927 !
It has also been announced that the Bonne Carre Spillway will now be opened this coming Mondayat approximatelly 10:00 am in the morning ! There is still no word yet if and when the Morganza Spillway will be opened but it is highly rumored that it will be opened !
It is also my understanding that the Corps Of Engineers is now on their way back up the Lower Mississippi River where they will detonate and open a section of river levee in the vicinity Island 8 , in order to once again allow the flood waters to escape through the levee and into the low lying areas of Missouri !
One other issue that has NOT yet been addresed yet is the economic impact that this reccord spring flood is having ! Obvisiously , the north bound vessels will burn more fuel and take more time to get to their destinatons but form what I am hearing , this flood wil also create more and deeper havoc than first anticipated . For example , the Exxon/Mobil Refinery in Baton Rouge will literally be closing down and NOT accepting any more loaded tankers filled with crude oil because their dock will soon be UNDER WATER ! Just imagine what economic impact that will have especially now that the average price for a gallon of gas is at or above $ 4.00 a gallon ! My office has also been told that there have been a number of ships that were first on their way to any one of a number of Mississippi River ports , but now because of the floodding they have now diverted to other Gulf Coast ports instead ! These are just a few of the negative impact that thsi Spring flood has had and in all likelyhood it will take quite some time bfore the whole cost can be added up !
More Latter !

Yet Another Corporate Casuality !

Greetings From New Orleans ,
Just yesterday , my office received word that there will soon be yet another corporate casuality due to the rising flood waters of the Mississippi River !
I C Rail , located at river mile 161 LMR , AHP , will be suspending all operations because they expect the river to wash over their river dock by at least three to four feet ! I C Rail , is fairly new bulk terminal on the East Bank ( or the Left Decendding Shore ) of the river just below Brilliant Point !
This now makes two major corporations that are suspending their operations becasue of the rising and record setting river flood stages !
Furthermore , neither I C Rail or Exxon/Mobil have gone on the even estimate how long their respective terminals will be out of operation but I would just guess that it could be any where form one to two weeks once the river crests and begins to recede !
It is still being reported that the Bonnet Carre Spillway will be opened tomorrow , Monday at eight in the morning and it is yet undecided wheather or not the Morganza Spillway located north of Baton rouge will be opened !
These are just two examples of what this Spring Flood has cost this nation in terms of economic growth and overall expense !
More latter !
Smooth Sailing !
NOBRA 70

Thanks for keeping us posted on this. I am utterly amazed at how little coverage this important story is getting. At least the Wall Street Journal printed an editorial by John Barry, author of Rising Tide--thanks to Jazzou Jones for pointing this out. I've urged my own paper to write more about the history of the floodways, so people will understand why they are being used--no response. It is vital economically and historically for all of us to understand how this great river affects everyone in this country!

I think it was Fox News that showed the gates being opened at Bonnet Carre spillway this morning. They made no attempt to say "Bonnet Carre", but that's where they were. There was quite an audience. The Weather Channel has been doing some coverage as well.

Times-Picayune coverage

Here's some coverage from the NOLA newspaper. The opening is quite an event for sightseers. Corps begins opening Bonnet Carre Spillway bays | NOLA.com
Bonnet Carre Spillway opening draws large crowd | NOLA.com

WWL TV/AP story

Here's the story on the WWLTV site. Since this is an AP story, it will probably go out nationwide.
Corps opens gates at Bonnet Carre spillway | wwltv.com New Orleans

Background video

Here's WDSU TV's background video, with a nice shot of the NATCHEZ approaching Toulouse St. You do have to sit through a syrupy BP commerical first....
Bonnet Carre Spillway Set To Open - Video - WDSU New Orleans

Newest River Crest Guess , I Mean Estimate ??

Greetings From New Orleans !
It has been my observation over the past thirty-seven years that I have worked and served on the river that when the Corps Of Engineers comes up with a river flood crest level , it is not always accurate !
I certainly am NOT condemeing the Corps and I for on think that they do an overall remarkable job with what their job description is and what they have to work with . My point is that although they have the best minds and equipment to work with , Mother Nature certainly has her " Ways " to show us who is ultimately in charge !
Just yesterday I was on board a large north bound loaded tanker , with over 40 feet of draft , and bound for the Apex terminal in Port Allen ! Although all the powers that be had determined that the ship should easily pass under the I-10 Hwy. Bridge , well when we eventually arrived in Baton Rouge , one last Air Draft calculation was made and guess what ? Due to the rapid rising river and the ship's inability to either lower its mast or do ballast down any further into the water , the ship could not safely pass under the I-10 bridge ! Consequently , I decided to go to anchor in the down river side of the bridge in the Meal Anchorage in order for these same " Powers That Be " to come up with a " Plan B " ! Just this morning it has been decided that this same ship should not only leave Baton Rouge but the entire Mississippi River altogether before it becomes trapped because of another low clearance bridge ! Just another example of what this spring flood has cost not only individuals but corporations as well !
What further concerns me is just how accurate and how time wise will this flood and eventual river crest be ? Personally , I think that it will be anyone's guess and that the river will stay higher and crest higher than what is now presently predicted and I have thirty-seven years of experience to back me up !
Food For Thought !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
NOBRA 70

Morganza SpillwayTo Be Opened !

Greetings From New Orelans ,
Today , the 11 th. of May , the New Orleans newspaper , the Times Picayune and a few other media net works are now reporting that the Corps Of Engineers is now planning to definately open the Morganza Spillway . It was also reported that the spillway will be opened as early as next week but in my humble opinion , WHY WAIT ?? The last time that the Morganza Spillway was opened was in the Spring of 1973 .
Furhtermore , there has been some reported criticism of the Corps for not responding to this upcoming Spring record flooding in a more expidicious manner and that ALL these spillways and levee blow outs should have happened much sooner !
The Morganza Spillway is located on the right decending shore of the Lower Mississippi River just a few miles north of St. Francisville , Louisiana . What is also reported is that with the opening of the Morganza Spillway , there will be massive flooding of the Atchafalia River and the small communities that line this water way including the larger city of Morgan City .
More latter as the facts come in !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
NOBRA 70

It Just Keeps Getting Worse !

Greetings From New Orleans And " Ground Zero " !
First of all , it just keeps getting worse ! Yesterday , I received an e-mail from my office with an attachment from the USCG indicating that THEY are now considering partially closing the river from the Boothville Anchorage , river mile 15.4 LMR , AHP to river mile 233 LMR , AHP to ALL ship and sea going traffic due to the impending record level flooding of this portion of the river ! I have NOT heard any word on wheather or not tow traffic of any size will be suspended as well ! First , some ships were diverted to other ports , then ship traffic was limited to daylight transits , now the powers that be are considering suspending ALL ship traffic all together ! It just keeps getting worse ! I am of the understanding that now the " Powers That Be " are growing more and more concerned over the overall condition and safety of the levee system that surrounds and protects the Greater New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas . Furthermore , there have been growing fears and concerns that if there is a breach in the levee system , the torrential flooding will be so severe and so long lasting that it will make the aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina look like a rainy afternoon ! It has also been reported on all the local radio stations that all the different parish levee boards have stepped up their daily levee inspections from one to five times a day and have suspended all pedestrians and motor vehicles from traveling on top the levees . If there is any good news to report from all this is that so far at least , there have been NO major accidents to speak of and NO barge fleet break aways and NO collisions with either tows , ships and or bridges ! I for one think that this speaks highly of the quality and dedication and professionalism of the mariners that go out in these adverse and dangerous conditions and mann and operate these different vessels in a highly skilled manner ! I salute them , one and all !
Furthermore , the decision will be made this coming Sunday and if this unprecedented decision happens , to my knowledge at least , it will be the first time in history !
Just imagine what the overall economic impact this Spring time flood has had on this nation and with this slowly recovering economy ! I also wonder if we will ever see the negative effect in terms of dollars and cents this Spring flood has cost us , plus what toll it has taken on the flooded out victims that once called home along this river system !
This will truly be one for the record book , in more ways than one !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
NOBRA 70

I'll have to say this is another decision I agree with. First, the wake those ships put out are sometimes quite fierce. If the river goes to 19.5 at NOLA, that would put waves washing over the levees. Second, if there were a barge fleet breakaway and they hit the levee(s), that could also be a disaster. Third, if a ship were to lose steering or power and hit a levee -- Katy Bar the Door! We are all under a great deal of strain as it is, and to have a disaster of those proportions would be, well, disastrous!

New Orleans Mayor Holds Press Conference !

Greetings From New Orleans ,
Today , the 12th. of May , New Orleans , Mayor , Mitch Landreau held a press conference to address the citizens of New Orelans on the rising river conditions and his contingency plans for this possible record setting flood natural disaster .
Also , today here in the Greater New Orelans area the Carrollton River Gage is at 17' even with a predicted crest of still 19. 6 feet . It has also been reported that the Morganza Spillway just north of St. Francisville , La. will definately be opend possibly as soon as this coming Saturday . The report also went on the that now 160 bays in the Bonnet Carre Spillway are now open and with record levels of river water being sent into Lake Ponchetrain !It was also reported today the the levee has actually been breached in small rural area of north east Louisiana . There was not a great amount of detail on this report and it is believed that the actual levee that was breached was a smaller levee in size and that this will not create any major flooding at this point !
Also , in this moring's edition of the New Orleans, TImes Picayune , it was reported on the front page that the Coast Guard , Captain Of The Port , is considering closing the river between Boothville Anchorage to Baton Rouge to all deep draft sea going vessels !
More latter as the situation here at Ground Zero develops !
Smooth Sailing !'
Ted Davisson
NOBRA 70

The Weather Channel today has the best explanation of the spillway system I've yet seen in the national news: Spillways: Controlling the Lower Mississippi River - weather.com

Now There Is Going To Be A Debate ??

Greetings From New Orleans !
In my humble opinion , this is just incredible ! Now , it is being reported by the New Orleans , newspaper the Times Picayune , that the " Powers That Be " are now actually back tracking on a dicision to open the Morganza Spillway and that there will be a DEBATE now on weather to do so or not !
At one point at time it was all ready decided to open the Morganza Spillway this Sunday but now it has been decided to DEBATE the issue ??
It is incidents like this and other issues as well , that has given fuel to the fire on the over all competency of the decision making process of the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers ! Yes , they may very well have all the fact and figures and predictions before their very eyes , but have they ever slid sideways through a bridge or for that matter had to hold their breath on weather or not the ship that they are navigating will stop swinging and not collide with a north bound tow under a point ?? I for one don't think so !
Many of us that actually do work on the river may not have degrees , may not have experience with all the aspects of the Corps but we are highly skilled and trained professional Masters and Pilots whom have dedicated their lives to plying their trade on the river and do have just a bit of common sense about them !
OUR question is WHY has the Corps NOT already opened all the spillways , NOT blown out more of the levees and NOT advised the Coast Guard to mandate a reduction in size and draft of ALL the vessels that have to work and navigate in these dangerous and adverse conditions !
WE are also discussing and wondering that if there is a MAJOR INCIDENT , weather it be a collision between river vessels or an illision with a dock or a bridge or a levee , or worst yet a breach in the levee , will the Corps be held accountable and responsible for NOT taking more expedient and timely actions BEFORE the river was allowed to rise to such epic proportions ?
Just for once , would it not be more prudent to error on the side of safety ? After all , that is what those of us that work in the marine industry are always lectured to about !! But when we do make a " Safety " call we are both slapped down and then reprimanded and reminded that the company HAS to make time and money ! So , which is it , " Full Speed Ahead and Dam The Torpedoes " or " Better To Be Safe Than Sorry " ??
Go Figure !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
NOBRA 70

FINALLY........................................... ....................

Greetings From New Orleans and Ground Zero !
FINALLY , and after much and I think unnecessary debate between once again the " Powers That Be " , it has been decided to FINALLY open the Morganza Spillway !
Furthermore , there has been a " Debate " over a number of related issues but FINALLY the " Forces Of Reason Have Triumphed " over the politically related S
" Special Interest " that sometimes rule this state !
When the Morganza Spillway will be opened today , Yes , there will be some flooding in the low lying areas of the state adjacent to the Mississippi River , but you have to ask yourself what will be the ultimate and long term benefits !
No. 1 - The cities of Baton Rouge and New Orleans and all the intermediate cities will be saved , No. 2 - All the major industries along the river will be saved , No. 3 - Marine traffic on the river will be able to navigate this water way with a bit more safety and a future ! No. 4 - It will show the world wide corporations that have ever had a second thought to locating in the Louisiana and on the Mississippi River , that the state govt. will do everything in its power to protect their multi million investment that by the way produces jobs and tax revenues !
Gee , do the benefits out weigh the negatives ??
You tell me ! Just Food For Thought !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
NOBRA 70

River Has FINALLY Crested In New Orleans !

Greetings From New Orleans !
Well , acording to the Coast Guard's , Vessel Traffic Service , the river has FINALLY crested today here in New Orleans , at 17.2 feet ! I was also told by the same Coast Guard , Vessel Traffic Service that Baton Rouge will crest tomorrow at 45 feet !
The reason for the early crest , I was told was due in large part to the opening of the Bonnet Carre and Morganza Spillways !
So , hopfully , for those of us that actually work and make our livings on the river , there is some light at the end of the tunnel and we sill start to see the river actually fall and life out here return to some degree of normalcy !
In a related report , we were told that the overall and estimated cost of this year's Spring TIme Flood has exceeded well over 250 million dollars per day !
These estimated numbers included but not limited to ; the cost to industry that lines the river system , lost wages and saleries to the respective emoployees , cost of opening the spillways , cost to the towing industry , cost to lost time with all manner of water born transportation services , lost revenues from vessels that were diverted to other ports and the domino effect that trickled down to other related industries that depended on this same river related traffic .
I am sure to some , this may sound like a broken record , I for one just wonder if someof this could have been avoided if the Corps Of Engineers had started draing the river earlier and in smaller quanties ?? For example , what effect if any would it have been if the Corps had blown only one hole in the levee a few months ago instead of the three that they eventually did in a rather small amount of time ? What effect would it have had if the Corps had only partially opend one spillway a few months ago to allow a small and controlled amount of flood water to pass through instead of both spillways
opened almost at same time and with a torrential amount of water coming through and in a fully opened condition and resulting in massive flooding ?? If these measures had been employed and in a smaller but earlier amount would the river had NOT gotton to record levels and NOT have flooded and inundated all these low lying areas ??
Just Food For Thought !!
Smooth Sailing !
NOBRA 70

Greetings From New Orleans ,
Today , the 25th. of May , the New Orleans , Coast Guard , Vessel Traffic Service reports that the New Orleans , Carrollton River Gage is 16.8 feet . Furthermore , it is reported that the Mississippi River level has be fluctuating between this stage of 16.8 feet to 17.1 feet primarily because the Corps Of Engineers is adjusting the flow of river water out of the Bonnet Carre Spillway ! I would just have to imagine it is similar to a person adjusting the flow of water out of an outside water spicket .
The Coast Guard , Vessel Traffic Service went on to say the the Mississippi River will be cresting in Cairo , Ill. on June 4th. and hopefully the fall will continue on down the entire length of the river !
One lingering question I have is simply how fast will the river fall and to what extent and what effect this record level flood will have when it does fall out ? The conventional wisdom is that a fast falling river will leave sediment deposits and fill many of the crossings and create additional problems especially for the deeper draft vessels , such as ships that will transit through these same crossings ! Supposedly a slow falling river is much preferred because it will allow the river to flush or scour out the river bottom crossings as it falls . Time will tell !
Oh , and one other question that I have had that has not been addressed is if the Corps Of Engineers had opened the spillways sooner and blown a few levees sooner , would the river had not drained sooner and not have reached the epic proportions that we are now experiencing and dealing with , and would the flooding in the spillways and other low lying areas not have been so severe and devastating and causing loss of life and property ??
Just food for thought ??
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson

Maintaining The Status Quo !

Greetings From New Orleans ,
For the last few days and weeks now , the river stage in New Orleans has been hovering between 16 and 17 feet due in large part to the effects of allowing river water to drain out through the Morganza and Bonnet Carre Spillways !
The NOBRA Pilot Association is still maintaining its high water safety measures and for the most part it has worked out well . We are only taking south bound ships during daylight hours and any ships at anchor with a deep draft of over thirty feet must have a Pilot on board at all times . North bound traffic is allowed on a 24-7 basis but if going to anchor , there is a one-half mile distance restriction between all anchored ships .
In Baton Rouge , the Coast Guard has set up a policy of only allowing daytime south bound traffic , between the upper and lower bridges , with a 45 minute interval between the south bound tows . Also , there is a no meetig policy in place between the two bridges and the south bound tows are limited to twenty barges and must take an assist tug to transit down and around Wilkenson Point and then through the upper Baton Rouge Hwy. Bridge . The Exxon/Mobil refinery has re-opened but is only allowing daytime ships to arrive and to depart .
This high water Spring will certainly go down in the history books and fortunately there has been no major accidents or barge fleet break aways ! Furthermore , it is literally anyone's guess as to what effect if any this additional flooding in the upper mid west will have on a already extreme high water condition for the rest of the river system ! Time will tell !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
NOBRA 70

This is somewhat off-topic, but my uncle was a Chief Petty officer aboard a navy Destroyer, much like the one in your photo, at NOLA in 1947, and saw the DQ upbound on her trip from California. After the navy he owned/operated a sternwheel excursion boat for many years. Perhaps seeing the DQ in '47 was part of his inspiration for sternwheelers. Your photo reminded me of this.

*RE; Ted's 'Destroyer' photo*

Hi, Ted and Steve:
No, it's not off the subject Steve. I'm straining to look close here at Ted's photo of the Destroyer but can't see too many details other than two funnels, large gun mounts, some aerials, rigging. She's got one fine 'wave cutting' configuration with a nice tumblehome. I'd guess from what I see an old Korean War/Cold War design; not the new 'Burke Class.' Ted, what's her name if you know and is she active or a docked historical attraction. New designs have dual gas turbines pumping out 100,000 HP for high speed. Old ones I knew had high power steam. Some sailors liked their Destroyer duty. Others had opinions not printable here.

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

Kidd

That's the KIDD in Baton Rouge.

The " Kidd "

Dale ,
Thanks for your posting , your question and your information ! To the best of my knowledge , The Kidd , is an old WWII vintage destroyer . I have been on her a few times and like many old U.S. Naval warships , she in tight quartered and ready for action !
The NOBRA pilots brought her to Baton Rouge , pro bono , " Dead Ship " some years ago and has been a major attraction to the Baton Rouge , down town river exhibit !
I would just imagine that you could " Google " , The Kidd and find out more of her " Ship's Particulars " , such as her Length Over All , Beam , Dead Weight , Service Time , Armanent and even Service TIme !
Its my understanding that she makes a great attractin and thousands go to tour her annuanlu !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
NOBRA 70

R. Dale Flick;26193 wrote: Hi, Ted and Steve:
No, it's not off the subject Steve. I'm straining to look close here at Ted's photo of the Destroyer but can't see too many details other than two funnels, large gun mounts, some aerials, rigging. She's got one fine 'wave cutting' configuration with a nice tumblehome. I'd guess from what I see an old Korean War/Cold War design; not the new 'Burke Class.' Ted, what's her name if you know and is she active or a docked historical attraction. New designs have dual gas turbines pumping out 100,000 HP for high speed. Old ones I knew had high power steam. Some sailors liked their Destroyer duty. Others had opinions not printable here.

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

*RE: USS KIDD (DD-661)*

Hi, Ted, Judy/Steamboat colleagues:
Thanks, Judy, for nailing the ship in Baton Rouge. USS KIDD (DD-661) it is indeed. Laid down in 1942, entered service 1943 serving well up into the 1970s with quite a history. She is a 'Fletcher' class with some 60,000 SHP at the time. Thanks!

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

Well , FINALLY !................................................. .............

Greetings From New Orleans ,
Well , FINALLY the Mississippi River has started its slow fall after a record level Spring Flood that has cost thousands of people their homes and farms , has cost hundreds of corporations millions of dollars , has cost thousands of mariners ( both brown water and blue water ) maximum stress and sweated bullets and has reeked havoc on the entire Mississippi River system in terms of broken and exploded levee systems and destroyed aids to navigation !
Now , having said that is is still unclear what effect if any the flooding Missouri River will have on the Mississippi River but for at least the time being , here in New Orleans the river IS starting a slow fall !
Today , the 10th. of June , the Coast Guard , Vessel Traffic Service reports that the Mississippi River is falling in Baton Rouge , Donaldsonville and New Orleans and the Carrollton Gage now reads fifteen-six and is still on a slow fall ! It is also being reported today that the Morganza Spillway is now almost entirely closed and the Corps of Engineers is in the process of slowly closing the Bonnet Carre Spillway as well !
As far as the NOBRA pilot association goes , we have lifted our self imposed restrictions that we installed on transiting the river at night on South Bound vessels of over thirty feet , of having pilots stationed on vessels that are anchored of over thirty feet in draft and lifting a daylight and one way transit around Eighty-one Mile Point !
It has also been brought to my attention that now South Bound , Line Tows are now allowed to transit through the Baton Rouge harbor with now a tow of twenty-five barges but still one way traffic through both the upper and lower hwy. bridges !
Now , the next big question in many people's mind is simply how fast and how far will the river now fall ?? One reason for this is that it is generally understood among experienced river mariners that a fast falling river will allow the river crossings to fill in and go shallow but a slow falling river will scour out these same river crossings and naturally deepen and maintain to a certain degree these crossings ! TIme will tell !
So , long story short , the river is FINALLY returning to some degree of normalcy and at this point it is still any one's guess just what this spring time flood has cost the region and the nation in terms of dollars and cents and personal loss and pain !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
NOBRA 70