Please see below and attached river crest forecast issued by the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center issued on 4/9/25. 

Below and attached is the latest guidance from the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center. 

 

Earlier this afternoon, the Coast Guard hosted a PCT call to discuss the forecasted high water that will be affecting the lower river in the upcoming weeks. 

At this time, the Corps has not decided on whether operation of Bonnet Carre Spillway will be required.  If spillway is opened,  vessels will be prohibited from anchoring in the Bonnet Carre Anchorage.  Any vessels that are in the anchorage when the decision is made will need to be moved 

 

Below are a few reminders:

 

Mooring/Unmooring at buoy systems and facilities that require a line boat for mooring operations will be restricted to daylight only. 

In addition, if conditions warrant, the NOBRA pilots may require at least 1,000 feet between vessels at anchorage.

 

No vessel is to anchor in General Anchorage except in an emergency

No head down berthing (Special Service may be available in certain cases)

No vessel stern first in Chalmette Slip  (Special Service may be available in certain cases)

Vessels with draft of 30 feet or greater are prohibited from anchoring at 9 and12 Mile Anchorages. 

The minimum distance between vessels at 9 and 12 Mile Anchorage shall be 1000 feet.

Midstream mooring restrictions enacted by line handling services concerning the safety of the mooring crew shall be observed by Crescent Pilots

Vessels at mid-stream moorings are required to maintain a pilot until it is determined, by the pilot onboard, that the vessel is secure and no longer requires pilot assistance.

Chalmette Slip - Vessels berthed at Sections “D” and “E” should be moved if another vessel must berth or sail form Sections “C” or “F”.

 

This will be a fast-rising river, and the velocity may require other navigational restrictions to be imposed.

 

Please continue to monitor your email for updates.