Carroll H. Dunn
on the west side of the river instead of the east. There were lots of hard feelings and
arguments on that score.
In the original plan, there was also a fuse-plug floodway at New Madrid, Missouri,
which was built.
Q ..
Did the Waterways Experiment Station get involved in any of the discussions about the
Atchafalaya River capturing the Mississippi?
A ..
Oh, yes. In fact, the model studies for the control structure at Old River were all done
at the experiment station.
Q ..
Was that while you were there?
A ..
Yes, the start of it. I can't remember exactly when the studies were finished.
Another major project during my tour was the development of Niagara Falls for
additional power through a better distribution of the remaining water over the falls. We
also did a number of harbor studies on portions of the Chesapeake Bay, the Delaware
River, Charleston, and Savannah, among those that I remember.
Q ..
As far as the Atchafalaya is concerned, you said that there was a model constructed.
Do you recall anything specific?
A ..
The question, of course, was how to operate the control structure to divert the flow of
water out of the Mississippi while at various levels. Our soils lab also did some studies
of the foundation conditions. But this was primarily a design responsibility of the
Mississippi River Commission rather than of the experiment station. The model studies
basically
to hydraulic aspects of diversion of flow. Where would the structure
be set? How would it be aligned? What size gate openings would be needed to divert
a given quantity of water safely under controlled conditions?
Q ..
Are you aware of the continuing discussion of this issue, and do you have any opinions
on it?
A ..
As I understand it, discussion on the subject does continue. My view is that as long as
they can hold the control structure, they will prevent total diversion from happening.
I know there are some foundation problems regarding the control structure, and I'm
not totally up to date as to exactly what these are. It sits on a very deep silt bed.
Q ..
So they can prevent the Atchafalaya from capturing the Mississippi?
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