LSU at Risk if Morganza Spillway Stays Closed

NORCO, La. – A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers official says LSU and other infrastructure south of Baton Rouge would be flooded if the Morganza Spillway isn't opened to divert water from the Mississippi River.

Maj. Gen. Michael J. Walsh -- president of the Mississippi River Commission and commander of the Vicksburg, Miss.-based division of the Corps -- told lawmakers Monday that the Corps likely will open Morganza sometime between Saturday and Tuesday.

Walsh also predicted potential overtopping of the levees at various sites along a 200 mile-stretch south of Baton Rouge if the spillway wasn't used.

Walsh says the Morganza Spillway would likely be used at 50 percent of its capacity, or 300,000 cubic feet per second. The Bonnet Carre, which was partially opened Monday morning, will be used at full capacity.