Morganza Spillway - stilling basin upgrade

On 5/14/2013, I had the opportunity to visit the Morganza Spillway with my friend, Blair Bice, who is retired from Luhr Brothers Construction.  We were hosted by the project superintendant for Luhr Brothers on a major project for the upgrade of the stilling basin. 

Click on this link to view my photo album.

Danny, Dave, Blair

The spillway has only been opened on two occasions since it's completion in 1954 - during the floods of 1973 and 2011.  The stilling basin is to absorb some of the energy of the water when the gates of the control structure are opened.  The current project involves the laying of geofabric in the excavated basin and then covering it with layers of different sized stone.  This will also aid in prevention of undermining the concrete slab when the spillway gates are opened.

It was most interesting seeing the large pieces of stone being moved from a barge on the Mississippi River by large trucks which crossed LA Highway 1, and were then unloaded and placed in the stilling basin.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to go across the river to the quarters barge and to see other barges of stone staged for unloading as the project progresses.  A great meal was enjoyed by all.

If interested in seeing some heavy equipment in action, view these short videos -

• Unloading stone in the stilling basin
• Stilling basin
• Stone in the basin
• Unloading stone from barge
• Loading stone in trucks
• Preparing to cross river
• Lunch on the quarters barge
• View from quarters barge
• Leaving the quarters barge
• Unloading stone from barge
• Dumping stone in the basin

(See related post for Old River Control Structure.)