Map Of Potential Flooding From Morganza Spillway Opening

With the potential opening of the spillway, areas south are facing evacuation measures. From the Morganza Spillway south to the Gulf of Mexico, thousands of Louisiana citizens will be affected. Please heed the evacuation notices, as we have ample time to prepare. Click here for a larger view of the map.

The Morganza Spillway began construction after the flood of 1937. The spillway was built to help divert water from the Mississippi to the Atchafalaya Basin and the Old River. A failure at the Morganza Spillway would have dire consequences, with the possibility of a permanent shift in the Mississippi River through the Basin and Old River, diverting from Baton Rouge and New Orleans. This would disrupt shipping through the central United States and force areas like Morgan City to completely relocate. Also, port facilities would have to be moved to accomodate the new flow of the river.

Thanks to the US Army Corps of Engineers, here's a little educational video to get an idea of how and why the spillway was created.