The West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Flood Protection project, aimed at reducing storm surge risks for the River Parishes, is 35% complete and expected to be fully operational by 2030.
“This is 18 and a half miles of levees, flood walls, and structures,” said Rene Poche of the Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District.
While the levee appears nearly complete, it is only one part of the larger initiative. Work is ongoing, and the project is designed to provide 100-year risk reduction once finished.
“We’re about 35% complete on the total project,” Poche said.
The levee currently stands at 14 feet, and additional features, including a controlled structure to block water from entering waterways and a flood wall, are under construction. The project has been in development since 2019. Last month, a $419 million contract was awarded to build pump stations and drainage structures to manage water flow during storms.
“We haven’t had a major storm since Hurricane Ida in 2021, so it’s been almost five years now. We have a tendency to get complacent, we as residents. I would recommend having that plan for your family, be ready to go, know what you have to do, and listen to your local elected officials when the time comes if they recommend an evacuation, to evacuate,” Poche said.
The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has mapped existing flood protection systems and areas for further development, including marsh creation near Lake Borgne.
Marshes can create friction during storms, helping to reduce storm surge.
Jeff Williams, regional director of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority, stressed the importance of personal preparedness.
“We still want the citizens of this region to have a personal plan, to make sure they’re listening to their local officials and making sure they’re helping in reducing their risk in addition. We don’t want to create a false sense of security,” Williams said.
For more information about the projects and measures in place across the state, click here.
READ MORE:West Shore Lake Pontchartrain project reaches 35% completion
