LAPLACE —  Top administrative staff from the Parish President’s Office and the Office of Emergency Preparedness are in daily communications with the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the Pontchartrain Levee District, and the Lafourche Basin Levee District monitoring the river water levels.

The Mississippi River level at Reserve crested at 23.74 feet on January 22, 2016. The River level at Reserve is presently at 22.9 feet and forecast to gradually begin dropping below flood stage in the next few weeks. The Mississippi River at New Orleans Carrollton Gage is currently below flood stage. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are starting to close bays in the Bonnet Carre spillway as water levels fall in the New Orleans area.

Levee inspection teams and representatives from the Public Safety Office remain vigilant in patrolling levees looking for deficiencies, seepage, and prohibited digging within 1,500 feet of the levees while water levels remain high.

At this time, there is no anticipated flooding concerns due to seepage or leaks in the levees. Additionally, there is no flooding in residential areas throughout the Parish. However, residents, businesses, and contractors should continue to heed restrictions for the Mississippi River until further notice:

• No digging activity and/or subsurface work of any kind is allowed within 1,500 feet of the levee centerline. This includes, but is not limited to pile driving, excavation and trenching.

• Driving on the river levees is prohibited.

• Biking and walking on the levee are discouraged at this time due to safety.