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2/2/2024
WT Staff
HAPPENING NOW
No change Friday, 7 stations still recording active flooding
Remembering East Palestine, Ohio
Water news for Friday, February 2, 2024 - updated 823 pm CST
Remembering East Palestine, Ohio - Feb 3, 2023
Safe drinking water is first principle for every municipality. Potable water supply has been challenging engineers for millenia, as long as towns and cities have existed. From protecting the source water from sabotage, to the collection of raw water, the filtration, treatment and monitoring has taken up a great space in the arena of Public Works.
Provision of consistently clean, safe water to the tap improved drastically with the discovery of an alternative material for water mains and plumbing. The first use of the new technology was in Europe just prior to WWII. PVC pipes passed all test expectations, widely adopted for the drinking water infrastructure as fast as municipal administrators could "get the lead out".
Benefits to replacing lead and copper pipes with PVC, absolutely. Risk? Calculated. PVC is made from vinyl chloride, the gas hauled by common carriers like Norfolk Southern, in certified and inspected tank cars across the network of track to domestic manufacturers such as found in the US midwest.
As we remember the hazardous materials spill incident a year ago this Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio, what have we collectively learned? Stay with us as we break down the elements of the risk-benefit of advanced technologies with the advantage of 20/20 hindsight. This discussion is our tribute to the residents of East Palestine and the first responders confronted with the immediate threat to life, to those with on-going health issues today, to the businesses forced to close their doors. For those relying on surface water downstream of the disaster, watching the toxic debris plume make its way down the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, we acknowledge the cost. For the handling of the fire-fighting foam and acres of contaminated soil handled by multiple agencies and jurisdications, and so many other impacts, we think of the price paid for the advancement of clean, safe drinking water we all need.
Join the discussion. How do we grip the benefits of advanced technologies while managing the risks? Email info@wtla.us with your comments.
Flood Update from USGS real-time streamflow monitoring stations around the eight watersheds of Louisiana
Friday evening, the same 7 stations are still flooding, as we figured. The rate of water level subsidence remains slow at all locations.
In Region 1, Bayou Bodcau got up a couple of inches higher through the day near Shreveport, presently close to eight and a half feet above flood stage.
The sun is going down on Day 11 of Bayou Dorcheat flooding near Springhill, just below two feet over flood stage, coming down a few inches a day. Downstream at Minden, water level has dropped minimally through Friday, just below a foot over flood stage as of this update.
Watershed Region 4 Sabine River is still rolling along 9 inches above flood stage, no change all day. At this rate, it could take until the middle of next week for flooding to stop near Ruliff, TX.
East in Region 4, Calcasieu River flow peaked last night, coming down very slowly, close to two feet above flood stage at the end of Friday near Glenmora.
Pearl River continues to overflow its channel more than two and a half feet at Bogalusa, no change Friday. Downstream at Pearl River the flow peaked on Wednesday, however the declining trend is extremely slow. The water level is now more than two and a half feet over Friday evening. Its going to be a while yet folks, hang in there.
Check black tags for flood levels, provisional data courtesy of the USGS streamflow sensors placed into LA rivers, bogues and bayous.
Drought Map from USGS 7-day average streamflows compared to historic averages
Louisiana drought map remains completely blank since Sunday.
Note WaterToday reports day-to-day changes recorded by USGS streamflow monitors on rivers and tributaries located in Louisiana, along with monitors upstream in the Mississippi River basin: Ohio, Georgia and southwest New York state. USGS creates a drought map from 7-day average streamflow readings, by comparing the average with the historic weekly normal flow value for each location. The drought ratings are below normal, moderate hydrologic drought, severe drought and extreme drought.
USGS Provisional Data Statement
Data are provisional and subject to revision until they have been thoroughly reviewed and received final approval. Current condition data relayed by satellite or other telemetry are automatically screened to not display improbable values until they can be verified.
Provisional data may be inaccurate due to instrument malfunctions or physical changes at the measurement site. Subsequent review based on field inspections and measurements may result in significant revisions to the data.
Data users are cautioned to consider carefully the provisional nature of the information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business that involves substantial monetary or operational consequences. Information concerning the accuracy and appropriate uses of these data or concerning other hydrologic data may be obtained from the USGS.
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