(L): We begin with a discussion in the Corps field office. Here we learned statistics and discussed the politics of opening the spillway; (R) Bonnet Carré affords a good view of the river and its commerce.
(L & R):Members of the class got a first-hand view of the spillway structure and learned how the system would operate if the water were high enough.
(L): One of the bays showing the river gauge; (R): The spillway seen from the forebay. As is usually the case in the early Fall the river is quite low (3.2 feet on the Carrollton gauge in New Orleans). A view of the forebay filled with water comprises the background for the class homepage.
(L): Looking up from the forebay; ?, site manager, talking to Jeff, Alana, and Julie; (R): Nate and Rebecca seen through a gap in the needles; the concrete blocks are baffles to slow water flowing through the structure towardsLake Pontchartrain during a flood.
(L): The river gauge in one of the bays; previous flood stages have left their mark on the concrete; (L): The ever elusive Courtney looking oh so stylish.
(R): The Shell Chemical plant in Norco seen from the lake side of the spillway; (R): Scott discussing the history of the spillway near the site of an unmarked African-American cemetery in the floodway.
Rebecca and Caroline taking notes as Scott speaks with Courtney
avoiding the camera in the background.