The Industrial Canal from the river to the lake. The Mississippi is at lower left and Lake Pontchartrain is at top in the distance. View is to the northwest.

View of the Industrial Canal. The skyscrapers of the New Orleans Central Business District are visible in the distance at the upper right. The Central Business District is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. At upper left, under the blue bridge framework, the canal continues towards the Mississippi River. At front left is the junction with the Intracoastal Waterway/Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.

The Industrial Canal is a 5. 5 mile (9 km) waterway in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand A waterway is any navigable Body of water. These include Rivers Lakes Seas Oceans and Canals In order for a waterway New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The waterway's proper name, as used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and on NOAA nautical charts, is Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC). The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. The United States Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE) is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 34600 Civilian and 650 Military personnel The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA) is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the A nautical chart is a graphic representation of a maritime area and adjacent Coastal regions The more common "Industrial Canal" name is used locally, both by commercial mariners and by landside residents. ^[1]

The canal connects the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain. The Mississippi River is the second longest River in the United States, with a length of from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to Lake Pontchartrain (ˈpɒntʃətreɪn in English Lac Pontchartrain IPA in French) is a brackish Lake Approximately half of the waterway's course, from Industrial Lock to a point north of the Florida Avenue Bridge, is confluent with both the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO). History The Industrial Canal and Lock were built by the Port of New Orleans to provide navigation between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain. The Florida Avenue Bridge is a Vertical lift bridge spanning the Industrial Canal in New Orleans Louisiana. Confluence, in Geography, describes the meeting of two or more Bodies of water. See also Intracoastal Waterway The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is the portion of the Intracoastal Waterway located along the Gulf Coast of the The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal (also known as MRGO MR-GO or "Mr

The canal passes through the 9th Ward of the city. The Ninth Ward or 9th Ward is a distinctive region of New Orleans, Louisiana that is located in the easternmost downriver portion of the city Along the riverfront, the canal constitutes the boundary of the ward's Bywater neighborhood on the upriver side of the canal and the Lower 9th Ward neighborhood on the downriver side. Bywater is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. A subdistrict of the Bywater District Area its boundaries as defined by the City Planning Commission are Lower Ninth Ward is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. Near the lake, it is generally considered to be the western boundary of Eastern New Orleans. Eastern New Orleans is a large section of the city of New Orleans Louisiana.

Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, proposals have been made to close the northern end of the canal by building a dam at the entrance to Lake Pontchartrain, as part of an effort to block storm surge. Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest hurricane, as well as one of the five deadliest in the history of the United States Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A dam is a barrier that divides waters. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water while other structures such as Floodgates, Levees Storm surge or tidal surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system typically a Tropical cyclone. ^[2] A subcommittee of the Bring New Orleans Back Commission has endorsed such a move. The Bring New Orleans Back Commission was established by Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans, Louisiana, after the flooding caused by a major civil ^[3]

History

Canal Locks as seen from Claiborne Avenue Bridge

Repairing the levees post Hurricane Katrina

The dream of a shipping canal connecting the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain goes back to Spanish colonial times, the late 18th century. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system The colonial era Carondelet Canal connected the back side of the French Quarter with the lake via Bayou St. John, but it was not extended to the river because of the differing levels of the river and the lake. The Carondelet Canal, also known as the Old Basin Canal, was a Canal in New Orleans Louisiana from 1794 through 1938 The French Quarter, also known as Vieux Carré, is the oldest and most famous neighborhood in the city of New Orleans Louisiana. Bayou St John (Bayou Saint-Jean is a Bayou within the city of New Orleans Louisiana. Engineers confirmed that canal locks would be necessary. A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal Waterways.

Confluence of waterways
This simplified diagram shows that the southern half of the Industrial Canal also serves as the channel for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO). See also Intracoastal Waterway The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is the portion of the Intracoastal Waterway located along the Gulf Coast of the The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal (also known as MRGO MR-GO or "Mr

A canal proposed in the early 19th century was never built, but the right-of-way for the proposed waterway gave its name to the city's Canal Street. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar Canal Street is a major thoroughfare in the city of New Orleans Louisiana.

In July of 1914 the Louisiana State Government authorized the City of New Orleans to build a deep-water shipping canal between the river and lake. Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America Land was expropriated along the downriver portion of the city. Toward the lake this was mostly little-developed swamp. Along the riverfront, though, buildings demolished to make room for the canal included homes and a convent already a century old at the time. A convent is a community of Priests religious brothers religious sisters or Nuns or the building used by the community particularly in the Roman Catholic Church

Dredging of the canal began on 6 June 1918. Dredging is an Excavation activity or operation usually carried out at least partly underwater in shallow seas or Fresh water areas with the purpose of Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The length from the lake to the lock near the river was constructed with a 30 foot (9 m) depth, with a width of 300 feet (90 m) at the top of the canal and at least 150 feet (45 m) at the bottom. The original lock system had 5 gates, a width of 74 feet (23 m), and a depth of 50 feet (15 m), with a capability to function to up to 20 feet (6 m) in difference of levels between the river and lake. The opening dedication ceremony was presided over by Louisiana Governor John M. Parker on 5 May 1923. John Milliken Parker ( March 16, 1863 May 20, 1939) was an American Democratic politician from Louisiana, who Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The cost was 19 million United States dollars. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been

The original length of the canal was 5. 3 miles (8. 5 km) with a 1,600 foot (500 m) right-of way. The longer current length of 5. 5 miles (8. 9 km) is due to extension of the lakeshore by dredging in the mid-20th century. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on

After the opening of the canal, slips and docks were added along its length, allowing it to function as a harbor in addition to a transit canal. A harbor or harbour (see spelling differences) or haven, is a place where ships may shelter from the Weather or are stored A connection to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) was added about mid-way in the canal in the 1930s. See also Intracoastal Waterway The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is the portion of the Intracoastal Waterway located along the Gulf Coast of the The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression. During World War II, the Intracoastal was rerouted through the Industrial Canal, and the federal government leased the Industrial Lock and the southern 2. 1-mile (3. 4-km) section of the canal and took over its operation and maintenance. ^[4]

In the 1960s the Industrial Canal junction width was expanded, becoming an intersection with the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.

A levee breach in the canal resulted in catastrophic flooding of the Lower 9th Ward during Hurricane Betsy in 1965. Dike (constructionEmbankmentA levee, levée, dike (or dyke) embankment, floodbank or stopbank is a natural or artificial Lower Ninth Ward is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. Hurricane Betsy was a powerful Hurricane of the 1965 Atlantic hurricane season which caused enormous damage in the Bahamas, Florida, and Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar.

In 2005 with Hurricane Katrina, storm surge funneled by the GIWW and MRGO confluence created multiple breaches in the Canal, resulting in even more extensive catastrophic flooding. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. On the upper side, the canal flooded out from a point back from Florida Avenue. On the lower side, there were two large breaches between Florida Avenue and Claiborne Avenue. A large barge, the ING 4727, was deposited in the Lower 9th Ward from the breach closer to the river. ING 4727 was a Barge belonging to Ingram Barge Company that became infamous when it went over or through a Levee and landed in a residential neighborhood The suggestion that the barge caused one or more breaches is under investigation. The canal lock was back functioning two days after Katrina hit, at first mostly for barges bringing in fill to repair the breaches. A month later Hurricane Rita reflooded recently drained areas along the canal by topping emergency fill at the breach sites. Hurricane Rita was the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the most intense Tropical cyclone ever observed in the Gulf of Mexico

Bridges over the canal

View from near the Mississippi River end of canal, with structures of St. Claude, Claiborne, and Florida Avenue bridges visible.

Aerial view of the Industrial Canal and Claiborne Avenue Bridge. View is to the south-southwest over New Orleans.

There are eight bridges over the Industrial Canal. A bridge is a Structure built to span a Gorge, Valley, Road, railroad track, River, Body of water Each provides sufficient vertical clearance for ship traffic. A ship /ʃɪp/ is a large vessel that floats on water Ships are generally distinguished from Boats based on size The bridges, beginning at the north end of the canal, are:

Seabrook Bridge 

Medium-rise twin bascule, four-lane roadway bridge. The Seabrook Bridge (officially the Senator Ted Hickey Bridge) is a medium-rise twin bascule four-lane roadway bridge in New Orleans Louisiana carrying Lakeshore The Bascule Bridge is a paved one-lane highway bridge in Westport, Massachusetts, USA. The roadway is Lakeshore Drive, connecting to Leon C. Simon Drive on the upper side of the bridge, Hayne Boulevard on the lower side. The bridge is officially named Senator Ted Hickey Bridge. Operated by the Orleans Levee District. From 1890 through 2006 the Orleans Levee Board was the body in charge of supervising the Levee and floodwall system in Orleans Parish Louisiana which is intended Normally stays in the down position for vehicular traffic, but provides sufficient clearance for most marine traffic. ^[5]

Seabrook Railroad Bridge 

Bascule railroad bridge carrying two railroad tracks. The Seabrook Railroad Bridge is named after location near the point at which the Inner Harbor-Navigational Canal connects to Lake Pontchartrain Owned and operated by Port of New Orleans. The Port of New Orleans is a Port located in New Orleans Louisiana. Normally stays in the up position. Amtrak's Crescent uses this bridge. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Doing business as Amtrak, is a Government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971 Automobile traffic used this bridge prior to the construction of the bridge above. The former automobile lanes, with their deteriorated wooden decks, still straddle the railroad span.

Danziger Bridge 

Lift bridge with seven vehicular lanes (US Highway 90 / Chef Menteur Highway). The Danziger Bridge is a Vertical lift bridge which carries seven vehicular lanes of U A vertical lift bridge or lift bridge is a type of Movable bridge in which a span rises vertically while remaining parallel with the deck US Route 90 is an east-west United States highway. Despite the "0" in its route number US 90 never was a full coast-to-coast route it has always ended at For the band see also Chef Menteur (band. Chef Menteur is associated with several place names in eastern New Orleans and South When this bridge was completed in 1988, replacing a previous bridge of the same name, it was the widest lift bridge in the world. Most marine traffic is accommodated in the down position. ^[6]

I-10 High Rise Bridge 

High-rise six-lane freeway, referred to locally as "the I-10 high-rise" or just "the high-rise. The I-10 High Rise Bridge known locally as the High Rise is a bridge carrying 6 lanes of Interstate 10 over the Industrial Canal in New Orleans Interstate 10 ( I-10) is the southernmost east-west coast-to-coast Interstate highway in the United States. "

Almonaster Avenue Bridge 

Bascule bridge with two railroad tracks and one vehicular lane in each direction, straddling the railroad bridge. The Almonaster Avenue Bridge is a Bascule bridge in New Orleans Louisiana. Owned and operated by Port of New Orleans. Since Hurricane Katrina destroyed the roadways leading up to it, the bridge now normally stays in the up position. Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest hurricane, as well as one of the five deadliest in the history of the United States

Florida Avenue Bridge 

Lift bridge with one railroad track and two vehicular lanes. The Florida Avenue Bridge is a Vertical lift bridge spanning the Industrial Canal in New Orleans Louisiana. Owned and operated by Port of New Orleans. A parallel four-lane high-rise vehicular bridge is planned. ^[7]

Claiborne Avenue Bridge 

Lift bridge, officially named Judge William Seeber Bridge, with four vehicular lanes (North Claiborne Avenue). The Claiborne Avenue Bridge is a Vertical lift bridge in New Orleans Louisiana over the Industrial Canal. Claiborne Avenue is a major thoroughfare in New Orleans, Louisiana. Accommodates most marine traffic in the down position.

St. Claude Avenue Bridge 

Bascule bridge with four vehicular lanes. The St Claude Avenue Bridge is a Bascule bridge with four vehicular lanes over the Industrial Canal in New Orleans Louisiana. This was originally a combination railroad/automobile bridge, with the two pairs of railroad tracks in the center of the lift span and automobile lanes straddling it. However, the railroad is long gone, and one lane in each direction passes through the truss of the bridge and one lane passes alongside the truss. Bridge is integrated into the Industrial Lock structure, on the river side of the lock chamber. Raises when marine traffic enters or exits the lock.

See also

• Effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans
• Mississippi River Gulf Outlet
• Gulf Intracoastal Waterway

Notes

1. ^ About IHNC. The effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans were shattering and long-lasting The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal (also known as MRGO MR-GO or "Mr See also Intracoastal Waterway The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is the portion of the Intracoastal Waterway located along the Gulf Coast of the Industrial Canal Lock Replacement Project. Retrieved on 2006-04-02. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 68 - Galba, Governor of Hispania, names himself legatus senatus populique Romani, breaking the line of
2. ^ Angelle Bergeron. "Ideas Floated for Hardening New Orleans Storm Defenses". Engineering News-Record (30 Jan 2006).  
3. ^ Koerner, J. , B. Thompson, B. Marchal, R. Lehmann (2006). "Report of Levees and Flood Protection Sub-Committee, Bring New Orleans Back Infrastructure Committee".
4. ^ Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Evaluation Report, March 1997. Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District. Retrieved on 2006-04-02. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 68 - Galba, Governor of Hispania, names himself legatus senatus populique Romani, breaking the line of
5. ^ Bridges. The Port of New Orleans. Retrieved on 2006-03-05. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a
6. ^ Alfred R. Mangus (2005). "A Fresh Look at Orthotropic Technology". Public Roads 68 (5).  
7. ^ Florida Avenue Bridge. Louisiana TIMED Program. Retrieved on 2006-03-05. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a