![Barge sunk as floodgate, closing part of Bayou Chene](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2019/05/Morganza-Spillway.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Barge sunk as floodgate, closing part of Bayou Chene
MORGAN CITY, La. (AP) — The Coast Guard says part of Bayou Chene is closed until further notice because the Army Corps of Engineers is sinking a barge there as a temporary floodgate.
A news release Wednesday said Bayou Boeuf is currently the only east-west route between New Orleans and Port Arthur, Texas.
The barge is being sunk below Morgan City to protect residents of five parishes from backwater flooding after the Morganza Spillway is opened on Sunday.
Officials plan to open the spillway partway over several days. They figure that eventually about 150,000 cubic feet (4,250 cubic meters) of water a second will pour down the Morganza Floodway. That's enough to fill the New Orleans aquarium's biggest tank nearly three times a second.
The floodway covers nearly 112 square miles (290 square kilometers). Roughly one-third is used as farmland.
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![Unlocking The Secrets Of Crab Shedding: A Cajun Delicacy Revealed](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Softshell-Crabs.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UPDATE: Sandbags Available Ahead of Potential Flood Event](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2019/07/GettyImages-1022155484-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Reduce Waste And Recycle More: New Community Recycling Units Open At Walmart And Sams Club](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Lafayette-Consolidated-Government.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Sandbags Available Due to Potential for Flooding Next Few Days](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/08/Sandbags.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Police Officer Struck By Vehicle During Foot Pursuit](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-16-copy-21.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![BUS ROUTES ARE CHANGING AND LAFAYETTE PARISH PARENTS NEED TO BE READY](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2021/05/GettyImages-1286538397.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![What Do Pineapples On Clothing, Flags, and Napkins Mean?](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-16-copy1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Two Injured, One Seriously After Pair of Accidents During Lafayette Rush Hour](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Accident-5.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Daniel Callihan Denies Murder and Kidnapping, Faces Potential Death Penalty](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-16-copy-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)