New Orleans Flood Risk Further Mitigated

The project will develop a software module that allows the local flood protection authority to monitor the opening and closing of gates on all flood defences.
20/08/2010 Ámbito: América (Noticia leida 189 veces)

EWP.-Royal Haskoning has won a new contract for water control structures in New Orleans, working with partners HKV Lijn in Water and Fugro. The project will develop a software module that allows the local flood protection authority to monitor the opening and closing of gates on all flood defences. It is expected that the module contributes to an improved planning and coordination. The new system has to be operational for the peak of the hurricane season in September 2010.

The emergency management module will provide a rapid overview of gates that are open and closed. A map showing the location of the floodgates and table report can be automatically generated with the module. It is important to have an accurate overview of both open and closed gates as during hurricane Katrina in 2005, flooding in New Orleans was caused by breaches and because floodgates were left open.

The project is being run by the local operator of water control structures, the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East (SLFPAE). SLFPAE is responsible for closing and opening more than 200 floodgates. Depending on the type of emergency all these gates have to be closed manually within 24 hours. The Emergency Module that we are going to develop will help improve the planning and coordination of closing and opening gates. Haskoning Inc. plans to have the emergency management module up and running before the peak of this year's hurricane season.

Earlier this year experts from Royal Haskoning, Fugro and HKV Lijn in Water together with representatives of Hoogheemraadschap Delfland have demonstrated a digital levee information management system for parts of the flood defense system around New Orleans. It showed the potential of having a digital information system assisting the local levee managers in their primary tasks.