Technical Assessment of the Old, Mississippi, Atchafalaya, and Red (OMAR) Rivers: Channel Geometry Analysis
Abstract
The Old River Control Complex (ORCC) consists of the Low Sill, Auxiliary, and Overbank structures as features of the Old River Control Structure (ORCS) and the privately owned hydro-electric power plant. Operations of the ORCC manage the hydrologic connectivity between the Mississippi River and the Atchafalaya River/Red River systems. The morphology of the Old, the Mississippi, the Atchafalaya, and the Red Rivers (OMAR) has been influenced by the flow distribution at the ORCC, as well as the accompanying bed sediments. A geomorphic assessment of the OMAR is underway to understand the morphological changes associated with operation of the ORCC. Supporting the geomorphic assessment, a channel geometry analysis herein documents observed adjustments of the affected river channels. Historical hydrographic survey data were used in the Geographic Information System to create river channel geometric models, which inform the analysis. Geometric parameters for cross sections and volume polygons were computed for each survey and evaluated for morphological trends which may be ascribed to the influence of the ORCC. Additionally, the geometric parameters for the Atchafalaya River were used to extend the geometry analyses from the 1951 Mississippi River Commission report on the Atchafalaya River, which was the primary catalyst for the initial development of the ORCS.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1177800
Entities
People
- Charles D. Jr Little
- David S. Biedenharn
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center