Levee Update?

[Ben E Lou]

The news has focused (as it should) on the evacuation efforts. Have there been any recent updates on the progress of getting the breaches fixed?

[rjolley]

I thought I read on cnn.com that they had one fixed, but the other 2 weren't. I'll see if I can find a link...

edit: Looks like the flooding has subsided, but the breeches are not completely repaired. http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/katrina.dewatering/index.html

edit 2: I didn't realize how large the breech in the leeves were. Looking at the video associated with the story above, it's massive.

[Masked]

Yesterday water was draining out of the city through the breeches in the 17th ST and Industrial canals. At this point, I think they are waiting to finish repairs until as much water as possible escapes.

[Bearcat729]

Yesterday water was draining out of the city through the breeches in the 17th ST and Industrial canals. At this point, I think they are waiting to finish repairs until as much water as possible escapes.


CNN was showing footage this morning of crews working on the 17th st canal. It loooked like they still had a lot of work to do on it.

[dawgfan]

Yesterday water was draining out of the city through the breeches in the 17th ST and Industrial canals. At this point, I think they are waiting to finish repairs until as much water as possible escapes.

That's what I've read as well. In fact, they've been talking about creating additional breeches to speed up the outflow of floodwaters from New Orleans back into Lake Pontchartrain. Once the water level stabilizes, then they'll work on filling in all the breeches and starting the pumping.

[wbatl1]

Just to be even more specific, an Army core of Engineers general told CNN that the 17th street levy and one other are 70 percent closed, and can be closed within 3-5 hours if needed. But they are using the levees as a way to draw out water. Once that stops, they will close the levees.