America's Achilles' Heel: the Mississippi River's Old River Control Structure

Want to pledge allegiance to the Drumpf? Clash with Caspian? Scared of the stickers on your mailbox? Let's hear it.
User avatar
goIftdibrad
Chief Master Soft Brain
Chief Master Soft Brain
Posts: 16746
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:01 am
Drives: straight past the apex

Great series of articles that Weather underground is doing on the mississippi river #justairboatthings #swampeople :doomed:

https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/Ameri ... qus_thread


I went and saw it while the water was high.... don't buy land in lafayette or morgan city.
brain go brrrrrr
User avatar
Acid666
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Posts: 3349
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:47 am
Drives: 02 Z06/95 Meowta/05 SilveraDOE

But do the models show it going all the way to Lafayette?
Even opening the Morganza spillway doesn't really show it pushing past the west side of the levee along the Atchafalaya. It pretty much all goes south to Morgan City
User avatar
goIftdibrad
Chief Master Soft Brain
Chief Master Soft Brain
Posts: 16746
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:01 am
Drives: straight past the apex

Acid666 wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 10:25 am But do the models show it going all the way to Lafayette?
Even opening the Morganza spillway doesn't really show it pushing past the west side of the levee along the Atchafalaya. It pretty much all goes south to Morgan City
probably not, but on the east side of the layyfy area in a flood big enough to fail ORCS?

don't buy land east of Greater Lafayette general area.
brain go brrrrrr
User avatar
goIftdibrad
Chief Master Soft Brain
Chief Master Soft Brain
Posts: 16746
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:01 am
Drives: straight past the apex

[user not found] wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 10:22 am Let the river flow, man.

Amazing what we can do with some engineering, but water will find a way.
Honestly this is all stuff they knew would happen but just like so many other key pieces of big infrastructure the problem has been (and will be) ignored until its too late.
brain go brrrrrr
User avatar
Acid666
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Posts: 3349
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:47 am
Drives: 02 Z06/95 Meowta/05 SilveraDOE

Big Brain Bradley wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 10:27 am
Acid666 wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 10:25 am But do the models show it going all the way to Lafayette?
Even opening the Morganza spillway doesn't really show it pushing past the west side of the levee along the Atchafalaya. It pretty much all goes south to Morgan City
probably not, but on the east side of the layyfy area in a flood big enough to fail ORCS?

don't buy land east of Greater Lafayette general area.
The general consensus about our area lately is that it's expanding south. Broussard, Youngsville, all that shit is blown up with real estate development. Only poor people, or people who want a ton of land for little money go east towards Breaux Bridge and past. Flooding has been on the ballots lately due to the last few heavy storms we got in the last couple of years. They've put more money into clearing out drainage in our area. I think the Vermilion was flowing backwards with the last heavy storms we got due to all the run-off. That's just rain tho. Shit coming from up north, I'm not too keen on where it would go other than to find its way to the Atchafalaya Basin. I'd think that if it's breaking way up there it's bound to go south and find its way toward Melville and Morganza and naturally make its way down the Atchafalaya and not really affect Lafayette much. It would hopefully destroy Opelouses and let them take the hit tho. That town could use a natural disaster to cleanse itself. Lol. (I kid of course)
User avatar
Tar
Chief Master Sirloin
Chief Master Sirloin
Posts: 14126
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2016 6:06 pm
Drives: Beige Family Sedan sans Dent
Location: Canuckistan

I've always considered land grading when buying a house, I'd be looking at the highest elevation in the region if I wanted to own property in this area. Pretty serious issues that even Einstein's crotchfruit couldn't fully resolve. :nope:
User avatar
Acid666
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Posts: 3349
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:47 am
Drives: 02 Z06/95 Meowta/05 SilveraDOE

Tarspin wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 8:05 pm I've always considered land grading when buying a house, I'd be looking at the highest elevation in the region if I wanted to own property in this area. Pretty serious issues that even Einstein's crotchfruit couldn't fully resolve. :nope:
The floodzones are pretty common knowledge around here. You pretty much already know what you're bargaining for. And for areas near the Atchafalaya, they get yearly letters from the government stating that they live in a flood zone and there's a chance that the spillway could be opened and they are flooded out. It's only happened a couple of times (I think once in the 70s and the last one around 2011 I think). The people that have property in those areas live there for various reasons. A lot of them inherited it, some are poor and can't really afford much else (it's dirt cheap to live in some of these towns). Some just can't leave their family and have to all live down the same gravel road.
The 500 and 1,000 year storms that have been coming through have kind of made people open their eyes a bit lately. People think that flood insurance is outrageous but it really depends on where you live. For me, I'm not in a flood zone but I think $130K of coverage plus maybe $20k for possessions was maybe around $350/year or something like that.
User avatar
Tar
Chief Master Sirloin
Chief Master Sirloin
Posts: 14126
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2016 6:06 pm
Drives: Beige Family Sedan sans Dent
Location: Canuckistan

Acid666 wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 8:48 pm
Tarspin wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 8:05 pm I've always considered land grading when buying a house, I'd be looking at the highest elevation in the region if I wanted to own property in this area. Pretty serious issues that even Einstein's crotchfruit couldn't fully resolve. :nope:
The floodzones are pretty common knowledge around here. You pretty much already know what you're bargaining for. And for areas near the Atchafalaya, they get yearly letters from the government stating that they live in a flood zone and there's a chance that the spillway could be opened and they are flooded out. It's only happened a couple of times (I think once in the 70s and the last one around 2011 I think). The people that have property in those areas live there for various reasons. A lot of them inherited it, some are poor and can't really afford much else (it's dirt cheap to live in some of these towns). Some just can't leave their family and have to all live down the same gravel road.
The 500 and 1,000 year storms that have been coming through have kind of made people open their eyes a bit lately. People think that flood insurance is outrageous but it really depends on where you live. For me, I'm not in a flood zone but I think $130K of coverage plus maybe $20k for possessions was maybe around $350/year or something like that.
That's pretty cheap, I feel like it leaves people in those regions vulnerable. Sure if it's next to free to live, and 350/year gets you full repair/replacement coverage then one can stand to profit from such an occurence, but personally I like being on the highest ground I could afford for the sake of safety and of course the convenience of knowing all my stuff will stay dry. To me it's not worth the hassle of getting flooded out, and much like yourself I have the means through a decent jerb to afford to move some place safer. Mind you I've never stepped foot in that area and don't know what I'm talking about.
User avatar
Acid666
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Posts: 3349
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:47 am
Drives: 02 Z06/95 Meowta/05 SilveraDOE

We didn't make the worst state in the US by sitting on our ass.... that takes dedication baw!


https://www.klfy.com/news/louisiana/ran ... hKSjeuOcfk
User avatar
Desertbreh
Chief Master Sirloin
Chief Master Sirloin
Posts: 16802
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 11:31 am
Location: Beyond Thunderdome

Big Brain Bradley wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 8:01 am Great series of articles that Weather underground is doing on the mississippi river #justairboatthings #swampeople :doomed:

https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/Ameri ... qus_thread


I went and saw it while the water was high.... don't buy land in lafayette or morgan city.
Cool thread topic. Tx!
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
User avatar
goIftdibrad
Chief Master Soft Brain
Chief Master Soft Brain
Posts: 16746
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:01 am
Drives: straight past the apex

https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/If-Ol ... bal-Impact

3rd part of series. Interesting take on what might happen or could be done.

Realistically speaking, i guess dredging the shit out it it aint an option.
brain go brrrrrr
User avatar
ChrisoftheNorth
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 47112
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
Drives: 4R

This really is fascinating. I honestly had no idea.
Desertbreh wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
User avatar
goIftdibrad
Chief Master Soft Brain
Chief Master Soft Brain
Posts: 16746
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:01 am
Drives: straight past the apex

Detroit wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 9:30 am This really is fascinating. I honestly had no idea.
The river is a big part of life down here, I've alwys been interested.

These big floods seem to be getting more frequent. If a westbank levee in a bad spot or ORCS fails ...its gonna be a real bad day.
brain go brrrrrr
User avatar
ChrisoftheNorth
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 47112
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
Drives: 4R

Big Brain Bradley wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 9:37 am
Detroit wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 9:30 am This really is fascinating. I honestly had no idea.
The river is a big part of life down here, I've alwys been interested.

These big floods seem to be getting more frequent. If a westbank levee in a bad spot or ORCS fails ...its gonna be a real bad day.
I assumed it was a big deal for you guys, but I didn't realize how important it was to our economy. Makes sense that it does considering the location to agriculture, and I know that shipping is a big deal because I used to watch all the barges and freighters cruising along the Detroit River when I worked next to it (some of which probably ended up down your way eventually), but I never put it all together.

Flooding in general is going to be an increasing problem. Here, the great lakes are at record highs, I work with a guy that has a lake house on a lake attached to one of the great lakes, and he's had sand bags around his house for a few weeks now. He frequently leaves work to head up there and try to prevent his house from flooding.
Desertbreh wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
User avatar
Acid666
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Posts: 3349
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:47 am
Drives: 02 Z06/95 Meowta/05 SilveraDOE

With the way this state spends money, I wouldn't anticipate them putting any urgency on updating anything to help with flood control. Hell, I bet even the Mississippi has potholes.
User avatar
goIftdibrad
Chief Master Soft Brain
Chief Master Soft Brain
Posts: 16746
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:01 am
Drives: straight past the apex

Acid666 wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 12:45 pm With the way this state spends money, I wouldn't anticipate them putting any urgency on updating anything to help with flood control. Hell, I bet even the Mississippi has potholes.
this is honestly more a federal matter
brain go brrrrrr
User avatar
Irish
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Posts: 3648
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 12:37 am
Drives: '12 GIT (190K!)- 2011 Outie A5
Location: Carlisle PA

Detroit wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 9:42 am
Big Brain Bradley wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 9:37 am

The river is a big part of life down here, I've alwys been interested.

These big floods seem to be getting more frequent. If a westbank levee in a bad spot or ORCS fails ...its gonna be a real bad day.
I assumed it was a big deal for you guys, but I didn't realize how important it was to our economy. Makes sense that it does considering the location to agriculture, and I know that shipping is a big deal because I used to watch all the barges and freighters cruising along the Detroit River when I worked next to it (some of which probably ended up down your way eventually), but I never put it all together.

Flooding in general is going to be an increasing problem. Here, the great lakes are at record highs, I work with a guy that has a lake house on a lake attached to one of the great lakes, and he's had sand bags around his house for a few weeks now. He frequently leaves work to head up there and try to prevent his house from flooding.
:dat: I had no Idea that the Mississippi was THAT important to our economy and the International food supply. Thanks for the :fax:, Brad
dubshow
Senior Master Sirloin
Senior Master Sirloin
Posts: 11074
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 9:18 am
Drives: All of them

Acid666 wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 11:02 pm We didn't make the worst state in the US by sitting on our ass.... that takes dedication baw!


https://www.klfy.com/news/louisiana/ran ... hKSjeuOcfk
And you just THOUGHT you were getting some cheaper auto insurance... :lol:

:thisisfine:
dubshow
Senior Master Sirloin
Senior Master Sirloin
Posts: 11074
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 9:18 am
Drives: All of them

Irish wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 3:11 pm
Detroit wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 9:42 am
I assumed it was a big deal for you guys, but I didn't realize how important it was to our economy. Makes sense that it does considering the location to agriculture, and I know that shipping is a big deal because I used to watch all the barges and freighters cruising along the Detroit River when I worked next to it (some of which probably ended up down your way eventually), but I never put it all together.

Flooding in general is going to be an increasing problem. Here, the great lakes are at record highs, I work with a guy that has a lake house on a lake attached to one of the great lakes, and he's had sand bags around his house for a few weeks now. He frequently leaves work to head up there and try to prevent his house from flooding.
:dat: I had no Idea that the Mississippi was THAT important to our economy and the International food supply. Thanks for the :fax:, Brad
This is interesting to me, for sure. I thought everyone understood how vital it is. This is a large part of why our major ports and refining are centralized along the mouth of the river. Was a pretty yuge deal when they could move product back up it from the paddle wheel invention. Do you guys not have the history museums about the war, inventions of the 1800s how how slavery made us great?
dubshow
Senior Master Sirloin
Senior Master Sirloin
Posts: 11074
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 9:18 am
Drives: All of them

Big Brain Bradley wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 1:00 pm
Acid666 wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 12:45 pm With the way this state spends money, I wouldn't anticipate them putting any urgency on updating anything to help with flood control. Hell, I bet even the Mississippi has potholes.
this is honestly more a federal matter
:dat:

the amount of resources needed for this scale can really only come from that level.
User avatar
troyguitar
Command Chief Master Sirloin
Command Chief Master Sirloin
Posts: 20088
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 11:15 pm
Drives: Trek Domane
Location: Swamp

Big Brain Bradley wrote:
Acid666 wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 12:45 pm With the way this state spends money, I wouldn't anticipate them putting any urgency on updating anything to help with flood control. Hell, I bet even the Mississippi has potholes.
this is honestly more a federal matter
:doomed:
User avatar
Irish
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Senior Chief Patty Officer
Posts: 3648
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 12:37 am
Drives: '12 GIT (190K!)- 2011 Outie A5
Location: Carlisle PA

dubshow wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 3:40 pm
Irish wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 3:11 pm

:dat: I had no Idea that the Mississippi was THAT important to our economy and the International food supply. Thanks for the :fax:, Brad
This is interesting to me, for sure. I thought everyone understood how vital it is. This is a large part of why our major ports and refining are centralized along the mouth of the river. Was a pretty yuge deal when they could move product back up it from the paddle wheel invention. Do you guys not have the history museums about the war, inventions of the 1800s how how slavery made us great?
The last local museum I went to was Gettysburg...... Kinda the opposite message
User avatar
4zilch
First Sirloin
First Sirloin
Posts: 6241
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 8:42 am
Drives: Ford Party ST
Location: God’s Country

dubshow wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 3:40 pm
Irish wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 3:11 pm

:dat: I had no Idea that the Mississippi was THAT important to our economy and the International food supply. Thanks for the :fax:, Brad
This is interesting to me, for sure. I thought everyone understood how vital it is. This is a large part of why our major ports and refining are centralized along the mouth of the river. Was a pretty yuge deal when they could move product back up it from the paddle wheel invention. Do you guys not have the history museums about the war, inventions of the 1800s how how slavery made us great?
:dat:

Growing up on the Illinois River, most overlook their importance when you don’t see it on a daily basis when it comes to the transportation of goods - particularly when it comes to bulk goods (grain, coal, aggregate, etc). Ports seem a bit more obvious to us - we see the containers on trucks and trains.
As the only published author in a well-known motorcycle publication in the room...
User avatar
ChrisoftheNorth
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 47112
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
Drives: 4R

[user not found] wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 1:46 am
troyguitar wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 3:46 pm :doomed:
I’m sure we could coerce :thankstrump: into building a wall...
Photoshop some pictures of immigrants innertubing into the River from the "wrong" new direction and send to Fox news. This will be handled before the end of the week.
Desertbreh wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
User avatar
ChrisoftheNorth
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 47112
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
Drives: 4R

4zilch wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 7:27 am
dubshow wrote: Wed May 15, 2019 3:40 pm

This is interesting to me, for sure. I thought everyone understood how vital it is. This is a large part of why our major ports and refining are centralized along the mouth of the river. Was a pretty yuge deal when they could move product back up it from the paddle wheel invention. Do you guys not have the history museums about the war, inventions of the 1800s how how slavery made us great?
:dat:

Growing up on the Illinois River, most overlook their importance when you don’t see it on a daily basis when it comes to the transportation of goods - particularly when it comes to bulk goods (grain, coal, aggregate, etc). Ports seem a bit more obvious to us - we see the containers on trucks and trains.
Even when I watched freighter after freighter carrying bulk goods down the Detroit river for years, I didn't connect where they were headed...I assumed east coast somehow, and the Mississippi was the furthest from my mind. Reality is that they likely can and do end up down there depending on what they're carrying. I guess I associated the Mississippi with old tyme paddle boats and Mark Twain shit...not modern day commerce.

I will admit, I am a :derp:
Desertbreh wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
Post Reply