Low River On The " Lower " !

Greetings Again From New Orleans ,
Well , it certainly goes without saying that 2008 , has really been an unusual year for this country's rivers and river stages and especially for the Lower Mississippi River . For instance , this spring we had a New Orleans , Carrollton River Gage of almost 18' (which is Flood Stage) and a High Water season to the extent that the Bonne Carre Spillway was opened to prevent New Orleans from being flushed out into the Gulf Of Mexico . Today , the Coast Guard , Vessel Traffic Service is reporting the the New Orleans , Carrolltoin River Gage is presently at 3.2' and is expected to fall out even futher . Now , at the latter part of October the river is so low in the Baton Rouge - New Orleans corridore that there are both private and government dredges working and digging not only in the eight deep water crossings between New Orleans and Baton Rouge but also in the New Orleans river front as well . Its also my understanding the the Lower Mississippi River is continueing to fall up above Baton Rouge as well and that the Memphis River stage is now at -4' and is predicted to fall to an acctual -9' as well . What has always amused me is the fact that both the Corps of Engineers and the local politicians have told both foreign and domestic shippers that THEY can maintain a 45' deep water channel from the Sea Buoy , which is anchored just outside Southwest Pass , all the way to Baton Rouge year round . Unfortunately , the fact of the matter is that seldom if ever have THEY ever been able to deliver on what THEY promise ! What aggrevates me even futher is the fact that THEY never either ask or consult with the different pilot associations that must ultimately pilot these deep draft vessels in these shallow and congested river channels . Imagine that , a politician not delivering on what he or for that matter she says ! Sounds like everything is just about " NORMAL " to me !
Smoothe Sailing !
Ted davisson