The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District began the first phase of its annual river maintenance operations in the Carrolton Bend area this week in preparation for placing sloping structures, called revetments, on the outside banks where the water’s attack is most destructive.
The first phase calls for clearing and snagging trees and debris along the river bank and in some areas, bank grading will also be required to ensure that the proper design grades and elevations are reached.
Following the clearing and snagging operations, revetments will be placed to maintain the river’s current navigation alignment and stabilize the bank. The Corps’ Mat Sinking Unit, which has a crew of more than 350 employees, will begin to lay the flexible concrete blankets on the river’s surface in the fall. This is the final phase of the installation process and is referred to as sinking the concrete mats.
New Orleans District revetment operations extend from St. Francisville to lower Plaquemines Parish. In total, approximately 135,000 squares of concrete mat will be installed and work will be completed by winter 2013.
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Dredging Today Staff, August 14, 2012