Coast Guard releases updated waterway restrictions; projected river crest is 8.5 ft Jan. 23

U.S. Coast Guard officials released updated restrictions Wednesday night for use of the waterways surrounding Morgan City because of the predicted rising river levels.
Due to the National Weather Service's flood warning for the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City, the U.S. Coast has restrictions in place for vessels traveling through the areas waterways, the news release said.
The Atchafalaya River is projected to crest at 8.5 feet Jan. 23 with a potential increase if the Morganza Spillway is opened, the release said. As of 9 p.m. Wednesday, the Atchafalaya was at 5.84 feet, according to the National Weather Service. The forecast projects the river to be at 6.7 feet by Jan. 11.
The Captain of the Port of Morgan City has determined that there is a need to close certain waterways due to the predicted river heights and currents in order to ensure safety on the waterways, prevent hazardous conditions, protect the marine environment, protect the levee system and minimize property loss.
The following restrictions are currently in place:
--Westbound tows turning into the Intracoastal Waterway at mile 98.5 will be limited to a maximum tow length of 600 feet.
--Southbound tows transiting the Morgan City Triple Bridge Complex will be limited to a maximum tow length of 600 feet. Tows requiring "wired in horsepower" shall have at least 75 percent of the required horsepower wired in day or night when transiting the bridges.
--Unless otherwise directed, northbound tows transiting through the Berwick Bay triple bridge spans are exempt from the Temporary Emergency Management Controls.
At all times, northbound tows transiting the bridge spans remain subject to high water towing restrictions.
Once the Morgan City River Gauge reaches 6.1 feet or the current velocity is 3 knots or more, the following restrictions will go into effect.
--Towing vessels transiting northbound and southbound through the Morgan City triple bridge spans and westbound tows turning into the Intracoastal Waterway at mile 98.5 west of Harvey Lock will be limited to a maximum tow length of 600 feet.
--Any southbound tow 400 feet or longer, length of tow only, regardless of horsepower, is required to have an additional assist boat to shadow through the Morgan City Triple Bridge Spans or while turning into the Intracoastal Waterway at mile 98.5.
In addition to current restrictions, the Captain of the Port of Morgan City has set the following benchmarks and possible restrictions prompting possible waterway closures in the Captain of the Port Zone Morgan City:
Atchafalaya River
--Morgan City Railroad Bridge to Krotz Springs on the Atchafalaya River will be closed to all commercial traffic if the Morgan City River Gauge reaches 10 feet.
--The entire Morgan City to Port Allen Alternate Route will be closed to all commercial traffic if the Morgan City River Gauge reaches 10 feet or the Port Allen Lock closes near 44 feet on the Mississippi River Gauge at Baton Rouge, whichever occurs first.
The Morgan City Railroad Bridge will remain in the closed position if the Morgan City River Gauge reaches 10 feet. Emergency openings of the Morgan City Railroad Bridge will be evaluated on a case by case basis and coordinated through the Vessel Traffic Service Berwick Bay at 985-380-5370.
Bayou Chene will be closed to all marine traffic starting at 8 a.m. Jan. 7, in preparations to install a flood protection barrier. The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary emergency safety zone for all waters of Bayou --Chene beginning at mile 130 on the Atchafalaya River extending north through Bayou Chene and ending at Mile 85 on the Intracoastal Waterway. Entry of vessels or people into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port of Morgan City.
Wax Lake Outlet
--Strong north to south currents may be encountered at Wax Lake Outlet. Mariners can expect 3 knots or greater crosscurrents in the intersection of Wax Lake. Mariners are urged to make contact via bridge to bridge radio before entering the area in order to avoid meeting situations in the vicinity of Wax Lake Outlet.
All vessels in the effected waterways upon closure will be allowed passage to depart the area.
In accordance with an emergency rule, no person shall tie or moor, logs, rafts, boats water craft, or floating objects of any kind with 100 feet of the original toe of any levee or 180 feet form the centerline of the levee, whichever distance is further from the centerline of the levee, or, when the water is against the levees, tie or moor floating objects insecurely to mooring posts, revetments, trees or other stationary or supposedly stationary objects on the foreshore when they can be driven against the levees during windstorms or high water events.
Mariners and facilities are encouraged to take appropriate precautions and frequently check the National Weather Service website at nws.noaa.gov for updated flood information. River gauge information may be found at the U.S. Geological Survey website: waterwatch.usgs.gov/new/index.php?m=real&r=la&w=map.
For questions or comments, contact LTJG Vanessa Taylor, Chief, Waterways Management, at 985-380-5334.