Loyola’s Collins C. Diboll Art Gallery (New Orleans)Through May 11
April 21, 2008April 23
April 23, 2008(AP) – Conditions along the swollen Mississippi River prompted the Army Corps of Engineers to open more bays on a major spillway near New Orleans Saturday.
The corps has been opening bays on the Bonnet Carre Spillway daily since last Wednesday, and spokesman Eric Hughes said the corps opened 25 more Saturday.
That brings to 160 the number of bays open. The Bonnet Carre has 380 total bays.
Opening the spillway is meant to spare New Orleans any flooding from the swollen river, plus ease pressure on area levees and improve navigation conditions for ships and barges.
The corps began opening the spillway about 30 miles above New Orleans on April 11. Heavy rains farther north in the waterlogged Mississippi Valley prompted the opening.
