[spectre]

I don't know a thing about how those pumps work...anyone?

sw

[chambley1]

They pump water.

[mewzilla]

I thought all of the pumps were electric, but some could also operate on diesel, which makes a heck of a lot of sense if you think about it, to have a back-up like that. So hopefully, if it's a power issue and not maintenance problems, at least some of the pumps are still working.

[CobaltBlue]

I know a lot about the pumps, did a special research paper on them in grad school.

Just can't remember the power source.

They are huge. If I recall correctly there are about 14 of them, about 12 ft in diameter. They are called "Wood screw pumps" designed by a guy named Wood.

Just one of these pumps is used to drain the Zuider Zee in the Netherlands.

Google "wood screw pump" and you will find a lot but you will have to go into Google cache as the power for the servers is out in NO. Thank Google for Google cache.

[CobaltBlue]

I stand corrected, there are about 50 of these pumps, they are 14 ft. in diameter in Orleans Parish.
http://gatewayno.com/history/PUMPS.html