Oh yeah that's still going on too

The high river situation we experienced last year is still happening and may be yet another one of those new normals you always hear about.

The vulnerabilities of current water management practices on the Mississippi River were readily apparent in water year 2019, when the unprecedented amount of water had a variety of effects, including stressing ecosystems and contributing to shipping accidents and disruptions. The water level was still elevated in July 2019 when Hurricane Barry moved into the Gulf and threatened to compound the situation with storm surge, which could have been catastrophic. The high water has continued into this year. In fact, as of 28 February, the Mississippi River had already exceeded the critical 4.6-meter monitoring threshold on 21 days in water year 2020, compared with 16 days by the same date in water year 2019. Since 1990, there have been only five water years (1991, 2005, 2016, 2019, and 2020) with more than 1 day above the 4.6-meter stage by 28 February. And with extremely high antecedent soil moisture and abnormally high snowpack throughout the Missouri River Basin this year, along with record precipitation regionally, the expectation is for yet more flooding along the lower Mississippi.

They're already planning to open the Bonnet Carre this week perhaps.  Please do not gather in large groups to watch.

In anticipation of the spillway opening, St. Charles Parish announced that because of the coronavirus physical distance restrictions, the Wetland Watchers Park and three spillway boat launches will be closed at noon Thursday. The opening itself will not be open to the public, and no access will be provided to the viewing site, officials said.