Morganza to the Gulf of Mexico Floodgate Study

摘要

U.S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans, is in the process of determining the correct sizing for sail-through structures to be constructed along the new proposed Morganza to the Gulf levee system in southern Louisiana. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, numerous new levees are being constructed to reduce the risk of storm-induced flooding. In addition to the economic and loss of life impact of such flooding, there is also a significant negative impact on the local ecosystem. At the request of the New Orleans District, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) performed a number of engineering studies in support of efforts to determine the proper sizes of six proposed structures (Bush Canal, Bayou Terrebonne, Lapeyrouse Canal, Placid Canal, Bayou Petit Caillou, and Humble Canal). The Adaptive Hydraulics model, AdH, was used to investigate the circulation tendencies in and around the proposed structure locations for the Morganza to the Gulf of Mexico project utilizing its two-dimensional shallow-water module. This study characterizes existing water levels and currents in the vicinity of the six proposed structures and predicts any potential impacts that may result. Comparing model-generated currents and water-surface elevations between pre- and postconstruction conditions provides insight into whether a particular alternative will adversely impact velocity conditions. AdH was used to develop time varying current fields for the base and plan conditions.