LA Coastal Protection and Restoration LA Coastal Protection and Restoration Reports to CongressReports to Congress

What is “Category 5” What is “Category 5” Protection?Protection?

Rebuilding the New Orleans Region ForumRebuilding the New Orleans Region Forum

September 2006September 2006

Overview of PresentationOverview of Presentation• The New Orleans setting and coastal challengesThe New Orleans setting and coastal challenges

• Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina

• Congressional Direction to the Corps of EngineersCongressional Direction to the Corps of Engineers

• Defining a “Category 5” stormDefining a “Category 5” storm

• Engineering challengesEngineering challenges

• Need for engineering innovationsNeed for engineering innovations

• Coastal lines of defense strategyCoastal lines of defense strategy

• Options for Protecting New OrleansOptions for Protecting New Orleans

• QuestionsQuestions

The Setting of New The Setting of New Orleans and Coastal Orleans and Coastal

ChallengesChallenges

New OrleansNew Orleans Lake PontchartrainLake Pontchartrain

Lake Lake BorgneBorgne

Breton and Breton and Chandeleur SoundsChandeleur Sounds

Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico

Mississippi River

Mississippi RiverBarataria Barataria

BayBay

Existing New Orleans Area Hurricane Protection

Existing New Orleans Area Hurricane Protection

FederalFederal Non-COENon-Federal

FederalFederal Non-COENon-Federal

Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina

230 miles – extent of tropical force winds

90 miles – extent of hurricane force winds

15 mph forward speed

27.17 inches central pressure

127 mph wind

Category 3

Katrina at LA LandfallKatrina at LA Landfall

Mississippi River Gulf OutletOrleans Parish, LA

Transportation Transportation InfrastructureInfrastructure

I-10 “twin spans”Orleans Parish, LA

Highway39Plaquemines Parish, LA

Rail Road in marshRail Road in marshOrleans Parish, LAOrleans Parish, LA

Flood Protection Flood Protection SystemsSystems

17th Street CanalOrleans Parish, LA

Bayou Bienvenue FloodgateSt. Bernard Parish, LA

Gulf Intracoastal WaterwayGulf Intracoastal WaterwayOrleans Parish, LAOrleans Parish, LA

CommunitiesCommunities

ChalmetteChalmetteSt. Bernard Parish, LASt. Bernard Parish, LA

ChalmetteChalmetteSt. Bernard Parish, LASt. Bernard Parish, LA

Coastal Wetlands Coastal Wetlands LossesLosses

Wetlands on the East Orleans Land Bridge Pre-Katrina

Wetlands on the East Orleans Land Bridge Post-Katrina

Fort Pike at The RigoletsOrleans Parish, LA

Congressional Congressional DirectionDirection

SEC. 5009. Public Law 109–103 amended as follows…SEC. 5009. Public Law 109–103 amended as follows…• ……Chief of Engineers, is directed to conduct a Chief of Engineers, is directed to conduct a comprehensive hurricane protectioncomprehensive hurricane protection

analysis and designanalysis and design at full federal expense to develop and present a at full federal expense to develop and present a full range of full range of flood control, coastal restoration, and hurricane protectionflood control, coastal restoration, and hurricane protection measures exclusive of measures exclusive of normal policy considerations…normal policy considerations…

• ……submit a submit a preliminary technical report for comprehensive Category 5 protectionpreliminary technical report for comprehensive Category 5 protection within 6 months…within 6 months…

• ……submit a submit a final technical report for Category 5 protectionfinal technical report for Category 5 protection within 24 months within 24 months

• ……consider providing protection for a consider providing protection for a storm surge equivalent to a Category 5 storm surge equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane within the project areahurricane within the project area and may submit reports on component areas of and may submit reports on component areas of the larger protection program for authorization as soon as practicable…the larger protection program for authorization as soon as practicable…

• ……analysis shall be conducted in close analysis shall be conducted in close coordination with the State of Louisianacoordination with the State of Louisiana and and its appropriate agencies.its appropriate agencies.

Department of Defense Appropriations Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006 (P.L. 109-148)Act, 2006 (P.L. 109-148)

Proctor PointSt. Bernard Parish, LA

Key Project DirectivesKey Project Directives• Fully coordinate with the State of LouisianaFully coordinate with the State of Louisiana

• Reports to Congress and state Master Plan Reports to Congress and state Master Plan should be complimentaryshould be complimentary

• Use the best and brightest talents from within Use the best and brightest talents from within the USACE and from external entitiesthe USACE and from external entities

• Use innovative designs and technologiesUse innovative designs and technologies

• Involve and educate the publicInvolve and educate the publicStone IslandBreton Sound, LA

Team CompositionTeam Composition• USACE-MVN, USACE-MVD, USACE-ERDCUSACE-MVN, USACE-MVD, USACE-ERDC

• USACE Planning Centers of ExpertiseUSACE Planning Centers of Expertise

• State of Louisiana, Coastal Protection & State of Louisiana, Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority, LDNR, LDOTD, Restoration Authority, LDNR, LDOTD, LDWF, LDEQLDWF, LDEQ

• LSU, UNO, Tulane, Notre Dame, Univ North LSU, UNO, Tulane, Notre Dame, Univ North Carolina, Univ Maryland, Univ Delaware, MITCarolina, Univ Maryland, Univ Delaware, MIT

• NOAA Hurricane Center, NMFS, EPA, NOAA Hurricane Center, NMFS, EPA, USFWS, USGS, NRCSUSFWS, USGS, NRCS

• Dutch ReijkwaterstatDutch Reijkwaterstat

• Oceanweather, HDR, Group Solutions, othersOceanweather, HDR, Group Solutions, others

Independent Review TeamsTechnical Review

• Occurs within USACE outside of MVN

• Employs USACE Centers of Expertise

• Embedded technical managers and reviewers on PDT for continuous input

Peer Review• Conducted outside of

USACE

• Review team member identities not known for preliminary effort

• Exploring options for bringing onboard National Academy for final review

Defining a Defining a “Category 5” Storm“Category 5” Storm

Standard Project HurricaneStandard Project Hurricane Derived by the National Weather Service in 1957Derived by the National Weather Service in 1957

Central Pressure: 27.5 inches of MercuryCentral Pressure: 27.5 inches of Mercury

Wind Speed: 110 mphWind Speed: 110 mph

Radius of Maximum Winds: 30 milesRadius of Maximum Winds: 30 miles

Forward Speed: 5 – 11 knots Forward Speed: 5 – 11 knots

Derived by the National Weather Service in 1957Derived by the National Weather Service in 1957

Central Pressure: 27.5 inches of MercuryCentral Pressure: 27.5 inches of Mercury

Wind Speed: 110 mphWind Speed: 110 mph

Radius of Maximum Winds: 30 milesRadius of Maximum Winds: 30 miles

Forward Speed: 5 – 11 knots Forward Speed: 5 – 11 knots

ScaleNumber Scale

Number

12345

Camille

12345

Camille

28.928.5 - 28.927.9 – 28.527.2 – 27.9* < 27.2 26.6

28.928.5 - 28.927.9 – 28.527.2 – 27.9* < 27.2 26.6

Central Press (in)Central Press (in)

74 – 95 96 – 110*111 - 130131 – 155 >155 200

74 – 95 96 – 110*111 - 130131 – 155 >155 200

Winds(mph)Winds(mph)

4-5 6-8 9-12*13-18 > 18 24.6

4-5 6-8 9-12*13-18 > 18 24.6

Surge(feet)Surge(feet)

* SPH Design* SPH Design

Lake Pontchartrain and

Vicinity HPP

Lake Pontchartrain and

Vicinity HPP

West Bank and

Vicinity, N.O. HPP

West Bank and

Vicinity, N.O. HPP SPH PROJECTSSPH PROJECTS

230 miles – extent of tropical force winds

90 miles – extent of hurricane force winds

15 mph forward speed

27.17 inches central pressure

127 mph wind

Category 3

At Radius

of

Speed

12.6 mph34.5 miles115 mph27.4 inches

1986West Bank & Vicinity

11 mph34.5 miles90 mph28.1 inches

October 1962

New Orleans to Venice

13 mph35 miles87 mph28.15 inches

1965 – 1976

Grand Isle & Vicinity

5.75 – 12.66 mph

34.5 miles100 mph27.6 inches

October 1965

Lake Pontchartrain &

Vicinity

Forward Speed

WindCentral Pressure

Index

Date Authorized

Project Location

Authorized Protection LevelsAuthorized Protection Levels

Design HurricanesDesign Hurricanes

155 +5

131 – 1554

111 – 1303

96 -1102

74 – 951

Winds (mph)

Scale Number

Saffir-Simpson Scale (1970)Saffir-Simpson Scale (1970)

Katrina at LA LandfallKatrina at LA Landfall

Congress currently authorizes protection from flood waters resulting from winds of 90-115 MPH.

Congress currently authorizes protection from flood waters resulting from winds of 90-115 MPH.

Developing a Design StormDeveloping a Design Storm

• Saffir-Simpson is a wind damage scaleSaffir-Simpson is a wind damage scale

• Storm surge is not well calibrated in Storm surge is not well calibrated in scalescale

• Storm characteristics and strike Storm characteristics and strike probabilities are key to defining probabilities are key to defining protection strategy and design levelsprotection strategy and design levels

• Computer simulations to aid design Computer simulations to aid design

• Future trends in climate and sea Future trends in climate and sea levelslevels

• Developing long-term risk reduction Developing long-term risk reduction strategy strategy

• Probable Maximum HurricaneProbable Maximum Hurricane

• Maximum Possible HurricaneMaximum Possible Hurricane

• Minimal “Category 5“ eventMinimal “Category 5“ event

• Hurricane Katina type stormHurricane Katina type storm

• 100 year storm100 year storm

Screening StormsScreening Storms

Storm Tracks EvaluatedProbable Maximum Hurricane (PMH)

*represents work completed to date by LACPR team*represents work completed to date by LACPR team

Storm comparisons Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Camille Storm comparisons Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Camille Probable Max HurricaneProbable Max HurricaneCentral pressure 920 mb 908 mb Central pressure 920 mb 908 mb 890 mb890 mbMax sustained winds landfall 127 mph 160 mph Max sustained winds landfall 127 mph 160 mph 166 mph166 mphRadius to max winds 30 NM 10 NM Radius to max winds 30 NM 10 NM 11 NM11 NMForward speed 14 knots 14 knots Forward speed 14 knots 14 knots 10 knots10 knots

Engineering and Engineering and Design ChallengesDesign Challenges

• Coast in collapseCoast in collapse

• Community recovery timelinesCommunity recovery timelines

• Battling nature’s most powerful stormsBattling nature’s most powerful storms

• Extreme engineering conditionsExtreme engineering conditions

• Innovative technologies & interconnected Innovative technologies & interconnected systemssystems

Design ChallengesDesign Challenges

Protection StrategiesProtection Strategies

Category 5 Protection StrategiesCategory 5 Protection Strategies

• Coastal lines of defenseCoastal lines of defense

• Structural barriersStructural barriers

• Evacuation plansEvacuation plans

• Local building codesLocal building codes

Options for New OrleansOptions for New Orleans• Open tidal channels and higher leveesOpen tidal channels and higher levees

• Barriers at Pontchartrain tidal channelsBarriers at Pontchartrain tidal channels

• Low barriers ar tidal channels that allow overtopping during Low barriers ar tidal channels that allow overtopping during peak storm conditionspeak storm conditions

• South shore levees with no overtoppingSouth shore levees with no overtopping

• Restore coastal featuresRestore coastal features

LACPR primary LACPR primary alignment alternativealignment alternative

MRGO/GIWW navigable MRGO/GIWW navigable closure potential alignmentclosure potential alignment

Required levee liftsRequired levee lifts

LACPR additionalLACPR additionalalignment alternativealignment alternative

*NOTE – additional LACPR alignments in development*NOTE – additional LACPR alignments in development

BARRIER PLANSBARRIER PLANS

Block Block surgessurges

No No overtoppingovertopping

Restore Restore Wetlands BuffersWetlands Buffers

Surge transferSurge transfer

• Invite continuous involvement of the Invite continuous involvement of the engineering communityengineering community

• Recovery and survival of New Orleans Recovery and survival of New Orleans depends upon hurricane protection worksdepends upon hurricane protection works

• Wind thresholdsWind thresholds

• Reduce system complexityReduce system complexity

• Strong Houses Resist Storms

•Varying levels of protection

•Comprehensive approach

Concluding CommentsConcluding Comments

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Gregory MillerGregory MillerProject ManagerProject Manager(504) 862-2310(504) 862-2310

Gregory.B.Miller@usace.army.milGregory.B.Miller@usace.army.mil

http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/SW Pass LightMS River delta

Planning and Design WorkshopsPlanning and Design Workshops• Wind, Waves and Water (Dec 2005 Vicksburg, MS)Wind, Waves and Water (Dec 2005 Vicksburg, MS)

– Held to develop state of the science for estimating maximum hurricane for Held to develop state of the science for estimating maximum hurricane for design comparison and analysisdesign comparison and analysis

– Included National Hurricane Center, LSU and DutchIncluded National Hurricane Center, LSU and Dutch

• Initial Plan Formulation (Feb 2006 Lafayette, LA)Initial Plan Formulation (Feb 2006 Lafayette, LA)– Assembly of coastal professionals to develop initial alternative alignments for Assembly of coastal professionals to develop initial alternative alignments for

model runs & public presentation at scoping meetingsmodel runs & public presentation at scoping meetings

• Engineering Technical Approaches and Innovations (Mar 2006 Engineering Technical Approaches and Innovations (Mar 2006 Vicksburg, MS)Vicksburg, MS)– Experts in various design fields to assess alternatives and apply both standard Experts in various design fields to assess alternatives and apply both standard

and innovative approaches to assist the team in preparation of information and innovative approaches to assist the team in preparation of information gathering plans and tools for analysisgathering plans and tools for analysis

Stone IslandBreton Sound, LA

Preliminary Technical Report

• Report completed in July 2006

• Outlines strategic approach

• Identifies key components

• Highlights remaining work needed to develop full plan