Ride to Morganza this Saturday

[Cajunrider]

Yeah Scott. The only time it was ever opened was in 1973. It was constructed in 1954. It allows MS River water to divert into the Morganza and Atchafalaya floodways. Fully opened, it will allow 600,000 cubic feet per second of MS river water to flood thousands of acres of farmland, camps, villages, etc to reduce stress on the levees around Baton Rouge and New Orleans. If they don't open it, the river will crest at 19.5 feet above sea level. The tops of the levees in the New Orleans area are +20'. The river would be 6 inches from overtopping the levees. The Army Corps of Engineers won't let that happen. Opening the Morganza would give New Orleans a 17' crest. There is also industry up and down the river between BR and the Big Easy including a nuke plant. So go figure what they will do with the Morganza. We know it will open but just don't know what day. If it doesn't open Saturday, we will ride. If they announce tonight that it will open tomorrow we won't ride. LA state highway 1 will be closed when it is opened. Too many spectators with no place to park. Last Saturday there was a major rear end collision just off of the structure when someone was rubber necking all of the water piled up on the north side of the highway. If we ride tomorrow, I will attempt leaving here at 08:00. That would put me in Morganza between 10:00 and 11:00. Frank, we could get together at our normal meeting place by the water park at ~ 09:30. Let's see what they say on the news tonight and I'll post my plans then. Vidor, you could come by way of US-190 or I-10 to Morganza. You may meet up with Cajun2wheels on the way. If we meet in Morganza, we could double back and eat at Satterfield's in New Roads. After lunch, we could ride up LA-15 to the Old River Control Structure. You guys have to see this!

[Cajunrider]

Just heard that they will begin opening the Morganza some time tomorrow. Don't know if it will be early or late. Frank, you may hear something locally before we see it on the news. Let us know.

[Cajunrider]

I just called the Point Coupee Sheriff's Office and the girl told me that at some time tomorrow LA-1 will be shutdown for 2 - 6 hours. They won't give a time because they don't want spectators getting to the spillway before the closure and attempting to park along the highway. I suppose it's not a good day for us to meet up. It will already be opened next weekend so we may be able to plan something then.

[cajun2wheels]

News just advised that Hwy 1 will be closed at 10:00 am and be closed 2-6 hours.I guess we will also try it another time.

[vidornomad]

Ok, guys us Texas boys will be out on this one, maybe we can get together another time. Be safe out there.

[Cajunrider]

Maybe next weekend.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Thought I heard something on NBC Nightly News about parts of US 61 being closed. I feel for the people that will be effected when they open the gates. Going to flood a lot of people.

Sorry guys. I am in north Louisiana at present, but will be heading back tomorrow morning. My understanding is that once the spillway opens, a three mile stretch of LA 1 will be closed for about 3 hours. After that, you will be able to drive ( ride ) across the spillway. So, any time after that would be a good time to ride over and feel the fury if this massive amount of water. Mitch is right on. It truly is a sight to behold.

Spillway won't open until 3:30 PM today. Only opening two or three gates at first.

[cajun2wheels]

Supposed to stream the opening here:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/morganza

[Cajunrider]

They are going to open a couple of more gates tomorrow. No sense in heading up there as they will close LA-1 again during the opening. Hope the weather is nice next weekend.

[Cajunrider]

Painless and I are meeting in Baton Rouge on Saturday morning 5/21 at around 09:15 for a ride up through St. Francisville, cross the river at New Roads and ride up to Morganza. I know it's late and short notice but if any want to meet us you are more than welcome. The weather is supposed to be good and there should be no spillway gate openings for tomorrow. That means no road closures. I plan on taking plenty of pictures and will post them tomorrow night or Sunday. If anybody is interested post up.

As I write this, Mitch and Darlene are on their way back to Schriever. You guys really need to take this ride to Morganza, and on up to the Three Rivers Control Facility. It is truly an awesome sight to see the fury of nature being controlled by man's engineering. The amount of water being controlled just can't be described. We had a terrific meal, and a great time with our friends Mitch and Darlene. The only complaint is it started getting toasty on the way back.

[oldbikers]

Turn the air on that is one reason to have a Goldwing.

LOL !! You are right , Jim. Guess I need to read the owner's manual again.