Bonnet Carre Spillway

The Bonnet Carre Spillway is a large flood control structure on the Mississippi River in Louisiana. It diverts excess water from the river into the nearby Lake Pontchartrain to prevent flooding in New Orleans and surrounding areas during times of high river flow. When the river level rises above a certain point, gates open, allowing water to flow through the spillway safely away from populated regions. This controlled release helps protect communities and infrastructure from flood damage, while maintaining a balance between river management and ecological health of the region.