Projects

IHNC Barrier under construction
The height of constructtion on the IHNC barrier will be reached this year. The IHNC Barrier or Lake Borgne Barrier is a significant part of the city’s hurricane and storm damage risk reduction system (HSDRRS). When completed in 2011, the $700M barrier will act as a key element in the defense against storm surges for Greater New Orleans’ most vulnerable areas, reducing the risk faced by the surrounding communities of St. Bernard, New Orleans East, Ninth Ward and Gentilly to a 1% chance in any given year.

Design elevations Hurricane Protection System
The Hurricane Storm and Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) around the city of New Orleans will be significantly revised in the coming years after the flood disasters during Hurricane Katrina and Rita in 2005.

Armoring
The inundation of the City of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina was a result of a number of failures of the levee and floodwall system.  Some of these failures were directly attributed to erosion of the inside face, caused by substantial overtopping and overflow of surge and waves generated by the storm.  The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recognized the significance of this overtopping and put in place a team to investigate and recommend methods of armoring; and to identify the most vulnerable locations.

Hurricane Surge Atlas
During hurricane season (1 June through 30 November) Royal Haskoning also supports the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with the assessment of expected maximum water levels and wave heights in Louisiana. In 2008 Royal Haskoning developed and introduced the use of the Hurricane Surge Atlas. In addition Royal Haskoning staff is now part of the crisis team that acts if a hurricane threatens.

Levee Information Management System (LIMS)
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.

Risk Assessment New Orleans
Flood risk assessment is a key element in the protection of low-lying areas. We carried out a quick assessment of the current flood risks for the New Orleans East area. The weak links in the hurricane protection system were established. Also, the benefits of advanced measures were evaluated and flood risk maps were created. An interim barrier in the GIWW/MRGO proved to be the best advanced measure from a hydraulic point of view.