Morganza Spillway

The Morganza Spillway is a flood-control structure located in Louisiana, United States. It is part of a larger system designed to manage the flow of the Mississippi River and protect areas like Baton Rouge and New Orleans from severe flooding.1

Constructed as part of the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project, the Morganza Spillway, along with others like the Bonnet Carre Spillway, helps divert excess water from the Mississippi River. This diversion is crucial during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt that cause the river to swell significantly. In 2011, for instance, the Morganza Spillway was partially opened to divert water into the Atchafalaya River basin, preventing catastrophic flooding in downstream urban areas. The spillway system, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, plays a vital role in flood control for the Mississippi River valley.12