[pa_dweller]

I just saw the 17th canal street breach on TV.

I've a question that perhaps the levee knowledgeable here could answer.

I read on another thread that standing water against the protected side of a levee is not a good thing because it can soften the levee and cause failure. Could the water from the Canal St. levee, and wherever else it's coming from, make it to the levee on the other side of town and conceivably cause that levee to also fail, allowing the Mississippi into the city?

Not trying to be morbid, just wondering.

[Vinnie]

I know little about levees but I would think the normal 'water' side has a hard surface, possibly concrete while the 'dry' side is earthen.

RE: 17th street canal.
An engineer on TV said the pics we've been seeing are NOT the 17th street canal. The breach I was referring to is in fact draining St. Bernard Parish but the 17th Street canal breach is allowing water into the city.

They are going to try a new tactic.
Dam the entrance to the canal at the Lake.
I was laying in bed last night thinking that was the plan.
They can get to that point.

Push the barge up against the breach. Attach cables to the near side to hold that side above water ( I think there is a structure, lock, at the entrance) punch holes in the 'off' side and let that side sink.