The Bonnet Carre Spillway was opened in 2008 and Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to numerous complaints related to slow moving motorists and vehicles stopping on I-10 and US 61 by individuals observing the spillway.

Tomorrow morning, the Bonnet Carre Spillway will be opened and the Louisiana State Police would like to remind motorists that stopping on shoulders of roadways is prohibited, except for emergencies. Also, please do not travel under the minimum-posted speed limit as this poses hazardous situations for other motorists.

Louisiana State Police will be patrolling the areas of I-10 on the spillway bridge and US 61 for potentially dangerous situations. If you observe unsafe drivers or situations, you are urged to call *LSP (*577) and report this activity to the nearest State Police office.

MORGANZA SPILLWAY

The Mississippi River would rise to 19.5 feet, a half-foot from overtopping floodwalls in downtown New Orleans, if the Morganza Spillway were not opened.

Dorps officials expect only about half of the Morganza's capacity -- 300,000 cubic feet per second -- to be used. That spillway will be opened slowly to allow for the escape of wildlife in the floodway, which could include protected Louisiana black bears.

At the Old River Control Structure in Lettsworth, the water flow will increase to 620,000 cubic feet per second, compared with 365,000 cubic feet per second last Thursday.