2012 USACE Drought Common Operating Picture

Transcription

1 2012 USACE Drought Common Operating Picture 24 AUG 2012 ** Information Cut Off at EST 1500hrs Navigation Impacts US Army Corps of Engineers BUILDING STRONG Saltwater Barrier

2 US Drought Monitor As of 22 AUG 2012 *Information is updated weekly and published on Thursdays by NOAA Impacts: The 22 August 12 Drought Report indicates that persistent drought conditions remain along the Middle Mississippi/Lower Missouri Valley and Central Plains. There were slight improvements along portions of the upper Mississippi Valley. 63% of the country is effected by moderate to exceptional drought It is estimated 12 to 20 inches in addition to the seasonal rainfall norms over a sustained amount of time is needed to alleviate the drought conditions. (see table) Impacts: Portions of the eastern Ohio Valley continues to see improving conditions due to recent rains. Aug to Date Norm Rain Aug Actual (2012) Average Seasonal Rainfall inches by River Basin Avg. Jun-Aug Rain Jun-Aug Actual (2012) Avg. Year to Date Rain Year to Date (2012) Upper Mississippi Middle Mississippi Lower Mississippi Arkansas River Ohio River

3 2012 Drought Impacts on Navigation Situation: Severe drought conditions with potential impacts to navigable waterways crucial to commercial traffic and supply operations are expected to persist throughout the Midwest, lower and middle parts of the Mississippi Valley, and Central Plains through end of August. Waterways Action Plans are in effect. Collaboration among the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG),Navigation Industry, State and local government enable actions including surveying, channel identification, dredging, incorporating flow from storage pools, and draft/tow restrictions. System Operations: Upper Mississippi River (UMR) The lock and dam system north of St. Louis are providing a functional navigation channel. As river levels drop In the open river portion of the UMR south of St. Louis, low spots may emerge and shoaling may occur which will require localized dredging efforts Missouri River NSTR Ohio River NSTR Lower Mississippi River (LMR) The waterway between Memphis and Vicksburg is intermittently closed due to increased groundings over the past week; USCG Safety Zone established allowing one way directional traffic based on order of arrival. USACE Activities: UOC distributes a daily Drought Common Operating Picture. UOC hosting twice weekly (Mon & Thurs) 5 MSC status conf calls. LRD is hosting or participating in teleconferences with Industry and USCG to exchange information on navigation conditions. MVD hosting daily Low Water Update Briefings w/districts and HQUSACE via Web Meeting. NWD is participating in Low Water Missouri River Waterways Action Plan teleconferences with Coast Guard and Industry as conditions require. Close coordination continues on a daily basis. SWD continues to coordinate and monitor operations of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River System (MKARNS). UOC is collaborating with USDA in developing a single source page for public viewing of Drought Impacts in the US. UOC provides input to allow AOC to monitor drought impacts. Groundings last 48 hrs: (see map on next slide for ten day roll up) 22 August LMR (Lakeport Light) Channel re-opened 22 August 1400 CDT. Water Quality: Numerous USACE reservoirs experiencing algal blooms and reduced dissolved oxygen levels Saltwater Wedge: 16 AUG 12 New Orleans District began construction of a Salt Water Sill to prevent migration of saltwater upstream. Sill is 30% complete with first effects of construction expected to be observed next week. Expected completion in late SEP12. Harbors: Four harbors in the Memphis District (NW Tennessee, New Madrid, Helena, and Phillips County) remained closed due to low water levels/sediment accumulations. Channels: Functional

4 Summary: 10 groundings have occurred in the reporting period. 1 grounding in last 48hrs. Areas between Memphis and Vicksburg are a USCG Safety Zone allowing one way alternating directional traffic 19 Aug, Grounding UMR 480 Channel Open 20 Aug, Grounding UMR 480 Channel Open Navigable Waterways Status (Low Water) August Aug, Grounding UMR 41.5 Channel Open 18 Aug, Grounding LMR 816 Channel Open 19 Aug, Grounding LMR 816, Channel Open 21 Aug, Grounding LMR 524 Channel Open 17 Aug, Grounding LMR 770 Channel Open Navigability Legend: Open Restricted Closed Grounding Out of Channel Grounding In Channel District Offices 18 Aug, Grounding LMR 525 Channel Open 17 Aug, Grounding LMR 525, Channel Open 22 Aug, Grounding LMR Channel Open. INFORMATION ONLY- NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION As of EST AUG 12

5 Dredging Operations 1 Dredge Potter Low Water Dredging Operations: 1. Dredge Potter (U) working at UMR 67 (15 miles north of Cape Girardeau, MO) (main channel), will move to UMR 65 next 2. Dredge California (C) Began working at saltwater sill construction site at LMR 64.5 (near Jean Lafitte, LA) on 22 Aug. Construction period 45 days (23 Sep) Jolly Roger 10 Dredge Venture 4 3 Dredge Hurley 3. Dredge Venture (C) Doing harbor dredging at NW Tennessee Harbor (LMR 899) (near New Madrid, AR) (harbor), will move to New Madrid City next 4. Dredge Hurley (U) dredging at Island 30 (LMR 788) (main channel) (12 mi. north of Memphis, TN), will move to Commerce LMR 698 next 5. Dredge Jadwin (U) dredging at Spanish Moss (LMR 534) (6 mi. south of Greenville, MS) (main channel), will move to Lakeport LMR 525 next 6. Dredge Butcher (C) dredging at Lake Providence Harbor (LMR 483), will move to Madison Parish Port, LMR 456 next 7. Dredge Integrity (C) dredging tributary - Red River Mile Dredge Wallace McGeorge (C) dredging LMR 293 (63 mi. north of Baton Rouge, LA)(main channel) 5 Dredge Jadwin 9. Dredge Borinquen (C) dredging tributary Alchafalaya River Mile 0.0, moving to Lower Old River Mile 3 next Dredge Butcher Dredge Jolly Roger (C) at White River Nautical Mile (NM) 0.0 and dredging from 0.0 to 0.5. U = USACE dredge C = Contract dredge Dredge Integrity 7 9 Dredge Wallace McGeorge Dredge Borinquen 8 Dredge California 2 Key: USACE Dredge - Contract Dredge - As of AUG 12 Summary: 10 Dredges operating in response to Drought impacts 7 Contract Dredges 3 USACE Dredges The Dredge California replaced the Dredge Texas for Saltwater Sill construction

6 Reservoir Status Summary: (24 Aug 12) 16 Critical Reservoirs have been identified for flow augmentation to the waterways. Reservoirs are currently operating within the limits of their approved Water Management Plan. The Barkley/Kentucky lakes have greatest effect on Mississippi River; currently releasing 43,000 cfs to augment channel depth. Reservoir Rule Curves are being monitored to augment flows in late summer. Key * The % fill of the pools depicted are based on fill for seasonal norms, not the maximum capacity of the pool.

7 Critical Navigation Gages and 14 Day Rain Probability Changes ( Changes from 18 Aug): - None Summary: From over 2000 gages that are routinely monitored, USACE has identified 15 that are considered Critical to navigation on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. 5 Gages are in Action status: Mitigation efforts are required to insure continued navigation. Efforts may include dredging, increased reservoir releases, or vessel draft restrictions as coordinated between USACE, the US Coast Guard, and the Navigation Industry. Anticipate impacts along the lower section of the Ohio River as seasonal norms are predicted not to be restored in the near future. Conditions along the Missouri and Lower Mississippi rivers are expected to worsen based on the NWS forecast of below average rain fall through the end of August. Key No Stated Impacts Watch Low Water Action Low Water Below Avg Rainfall Above Avg Rainfall

8 Probable September 2012 Precipitation The lower Missouri and middle Mississippi Valley remains an area of concern as below average rainfall is expected through September. Tropical moisture will likely aid in a slightly above to near normal September rainfall along the lower Mississippi. Eastern and central Ohio Valley can expect near normal rainfall for September. Middle Mississippi River is projected to continue to be the area most impacted by the drought Key Below Avg Rainfall Above Avg Rainfall

9 2012 Drought Talking Points As of 24AUG12 Extreme drought conditions continue across the Midwest and Central Plains. USACE continues to provide navigation during low-water conditions, exercising both preventive and immediate actions at problematic locations. USACE is actively monitoring navigational impacts on waterways in conjunction with its affected Divisions and Districts. USACE employs designated assets (dredges and survey boats), utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS) based Common Operating Picture (COP) and operates waterways action plans in order to anticipate, prevent, and mitigate the impact to navigation and civil work infrastructure. USACE is monitoring river levels and has survey boats identifying problem areas on the river. Some areas were dredged earlier this year to ensure channel availability and other areas have been identified for possible future dredging. USACE is currently dredging at locations along the UMR, LMR, and MKARNS. Additional locations will be dredged as river stages continue to fall. Only a very small portion of impacted rivers will likely require dredging to provide functional channels. USACE cautions swimmers and boaters to watch for hazards, such as trees or rocks, which may be exposed or closer to the water surface due to lower lake levels. With waters lower than the traditional pools at most USACE lakes, it is even more imperative that visitors do not jump or dive into the water and to always wear a life jacket when recreating in or near the water. Even during low water conditions, USACE cautions people to stay off of exposed sandbars. Sandbars are not solid ground and can collapse under the weight of a person.