Historic Mississippi River flooding - Morganza spillway to open for 1st time since 73

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http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/Army...121444554.html

The river is expected to crest in New Orleans at 19.5 feet-- two feet and half feet above flood stage. That crest is based on the opening of the Bonnet Carre, but it may not be enough to lower the river level and the flow of the river. Now, the Corps has formerly requested the opening of the Morganza spillway, just north of Baton Rouge.

"The Morganza spillway is one of the off-ramps of water on the Mississippi River," Col. Fleming said.

Yet, the opening of the Morganza brings with it a new set of complications, since it could end up flooding multiple parishes. On Saturday, the Corps released a map, which showed the potential flooding impact. Parts of western Terrebonne Parish and St. Mary Parish could end up with five feet of water. Other areas, near St. Francisville in West Feliciana Parish could see up to 25 feet of water.

"The stages are historic, the flow is historic and so those triggers that we have to operate these structures are based on the flow," Col. Fleming said.

"Look, there's going to be stress on the levee as it is," Col. Fleming said. "We haven't seen this kind of water since 1927 and there's no doubt that we're going to see a lot of water. And this is why the system was built-- is to be able to protect against the flood that comes from the river."