Emergencies
Morgan City Levee Improvements
DescriptionThe need for levee improvements in Morgan City was brought to the forefront by FEMA’s issuance of new preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) in 2009, recent levee profile surveys, and a subsequent appeal to FEMA issued by the City of Morgan City. Being proactive in flood protection, the citizens within Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2 (Morgan City and vicinity) passed a bond election in late 2009.
Proposed levee and pump station improvements indicate upgrades to existing levees to elevations ranging from 8 ft. to 10 ft. MSL. The improvements address vulnerability caused by water levels arising from Lake Palourde. The proposed upgrades will provide backwater protection from Atchafalaya riverine events and storm surge from the Gulf as well as from stormwater runoff in the Terrebonne Basin north of the city. Upon completion of this project, backwater protection levees in Morgan City will be suitable for certification by the City and FEMA accreditation.
On October 1st, 2013 the data gathering phase of this project began. Engineers are gathering geotechnical and survey data for the areas stretching from Justa Street to the Atchafalay Basin Levee near LA 70. This phase will last approximately 6 weeks at which point the levee system will go into the design phase.
The design phase for Morgan City levees is under way and the permits have been applied for. Along with the City of Morgan City and the Drainage district, the Levee District is looking to push the levee system to a point of FEMA certification. We are looking at different options to best utilize the funding available and to capture as much property in the protection as feasible. We are currently looking at new alignments that would include some areas currently left out of protection.
Currently the LA 70 levee section is in the permitting phase. Once they have been given permits, they will go to final design and bid.
The Siracussa Levee section is under construction. This section is from the railroad tracks in Siracussaville to the Walnut Street canal at the flood gate in Lakeside.
The levee section from Justa Street to Lake End Park (TV-55) is now under construction. Estimated construction time is 400 days.
Please note that the walking trail on the levee in Morgan City is closed due to the construction.
Estimated Cost and Funding — $16,000,000 - $20,000,000
Proposed levee and pump station improvements indicate upgrades to existing levees to elevations ranging from 8 ft. to 10 ft. MSL. The improvements address vulnerability caused by water levels arising from Lake Palourde. The proposed upgrades will provide backwater protection from Atchafalaya riverine events and storm surge from the Gulf as well as from stormwater runoff in the Terrebonne Basin north of the city. Upon completion of this project, backwater protection levees in Morgan City will be suitable for certification by the City and FEMA accreditation.
On October 1st, 2013 the data gathering phase of this project began. Engineers are gathering geotechnical and survey data for the areas stretching from Justa Street to the Atchafalay Basin Levee near LA 70. This phase will last approximately 6 weeks at which point the levee system will go into the design phase.
The design phase for Morgan City levees is under way and the permits have been applied for. Along with the City of Morgan City and the Drainage district, the Levee District is looking to push the levee system to a point of FEMA certification. We are looking at different options to best utilize the funding available and to capture as much property in the protection as feasible. We are currently looking at new alignments that would include some areas currently left out of protection.
Currently the LA 70 levee section is in the permitting phase. Once they have been given permits, they will go to final design and bid.
The Siracussa Levee section is under construction. This section is from the railroad tracks in Siracussaville to the Walnut Street canal at the flood gate in Lakeside.
The levee section from Justa Street to Lake End Park (TV-55) is now under construction. Estimated construction time is 400 days.
Please note that the walking trail on the levee in Morgan City is closed due to the construction.
Estimated Cost and Funding — $16,000,000 - $20,000,000
(a) Drainage District bonds, CDBG, misc .— $12,000,000
(b) To Be Determined — $4,000,000 - $8,000,000