[Free Vulcan]

Is that a levee for the lake or the river?

Prayers to all down there and those displaced.

[GovernmentShrinker]

I think it's one of the smaller levees inside the city, not the main river or lake levee. But don't quote me on that --I'm only vaguely familiar with the New Orleans levee system.

[jpthomas]

It's the levee for the lake. The breach is near the area where the causeway across Lake Pontchartrain links into the city. Here's some more info on the break from the Times-Picayune newslog:

Mayor Ray Nagin has announced that the attempt to plug a breach in the 17th Street canal at the Hammond Highway bridge has failed and the rising water is about to overwhelm the pumps on that canal. The result is that water will begin rising rapidly again, and could reach as high as 3 feet above sea level. In New Orleans and Jefferson Parish, that means floodwaters could rise as high as 15 feet in the next few hours. Nagin urged residents to try to find higher ground as soon as possible.

[HangnJudge]

All broken levies are on the lake side
River levies all OK last I saw

most of West Bank of Mississippi actually high and dry
across river from New Orleans

[Rockingham]

The failing levee is on a large canal that connects into the Lake. This flooding scenario has been well-known for decades. The back side of levees are not strong and, especially on the canals, are prone to weaken when they become waterlogged due to water behind them.

[BayouCoyote]

River, on the New Orleans Chalmette city line.

It's the keel of the ship that's about to break...