Projects

Royal Haskoning developed a demo version of a digital Levee Information Management System for flood defenses in New Orleans, together with its partners Fugro and HKV Lijn in Water. This project reflects the ability of the Dutch water sector to offer expertise in the field of information management and the management and maintenance of large scale flood defenses. The LIMS was developed in close collaboration with the Delfland Water board.

The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East (SLFPA East) is responsible for the management and maintenance of a large system of flood defenses in the New Orleans metropolitan area. At this moment, no digital Geographical Information System is available in which relevant information related to the flood defense system is stored.

Mid 2009 Royal Haskoning together with its Dutch started a pilot for a “Levee Information Management System” (LIMS) for the SLFPA East. The objective was to develop a demo application of a digital system that holds relevant information regarding the characteristics of the flood defense system (levee, floodwalls, gates, structures and geotechnical information) as well as information related to management, maintenance, inspection and observed deficiencies.



The process
The project was executed in 4 phases:

-	Phase 1: Definition phase
-	Phase 2: Information analysis and system design
-	Phase 3: Development and filling of the Levee Information Management System
-	Phase 4: Testing and evaluation of the system and recommendations for future applications

Information was exchanged about the management of flood defense systems and the use and storage of its information during workshops in the Netherlands attended by the staff of the SLFPA East. Workshops in New Orleans with staff of SLFPA East, Louisiana State Government and the US Army Corps of Engineers determined and prioritized what type of information will be included in the pilot application.

The Result
The Pilot version of the Levee Information Management System uses the National Levee Database (developed by de US Army Corps of Engineers) as the most important data source for flood defense system characteristics. In addition 30 cm (1 foot) resolution aerial imagery made available by the Regional Planning Commission and Digital Globe provides important ground truth information. In order to create a structured and consistent pilot version the LIMS is developed using standard off the shelf GIS software and tools. The LIMS is developed as modular system in which the user is able to perform certain functions.
The LIMS comprises the following modules:

- LIMS Basis;
- LIMS Permits;
- LIMS Inspections;
- LIMS Emergency Management.



The LIMS Basis provides easy access base information about the flood protection system and its immediate environment. It provides detailed information about the type of flood defenses and its elevations, pump stations, floodgates, design and as-built drawings. LIDAR and Multi-beam data allow the user to interactively generate cross-sections of the levee and floodwall. To assure the stability of flood control structures (levees and floodwalls) the levee boards monitor and permit all constructions. This is done in order to make sure they perform according to standards in any high water or storm condition. A permit is required prior to the commencement of any proposed work involving changes in the subsurface within 1,500 feet of the centerline of the Mississippi River flood control structures and within 300 feet of flood defense structures. Royal Haskoning and partners developed a spatial database to store and track permits (LIMS Permits). The inspection module (LIMS Inspections) allows the user to load and analyze inspection results that are gathered with the levee inspection tool developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

For Emergency Management during an extreme event, the LIMS provides quick, effective access to accurate and up to date information, such as water levels, open and closed gates, evacuation routes and flood risk maps. This type of information supports important decisions on when and where gates within the Flood Defense System should be closed or opened.

Added value
The LIMS helps to improve the quality of information a levee board needs to do their daily tasks. It holds accurate, complete and consistent information about the flood defense system. The LIMS will contribute to a more effective management of the flood defense system and thereby support the safety of the system on the longer term. The LIMS will help working processes (both routine as well as during an emergency event) to be more efficient and as a result the service towards various stakeholders like the general public, federal and state authorities will be better. In addition the LIMS will also assists in a more transparent communication towards the public about flood risk and safety.