A large part of New Orleans is below sea level.
If it weren't for levees and huge pumping stations,
New Orleans would soon fill up like a bath tub.
This is the back side of a pumping station.
As water begins to rise inland, it is brought
to the pumping stations by canals. It is then
pumped up at least 20 feet and discharged
into Lake Pontchartrain.
That way to Lake Pontchartrain!
I am standing on the top of the levee.
"Poppy" Bill is holding two wild poppies!
Check out his new French Quarter shirt.
Lake Pontchartrain is a huge lake used for
sailing, fishing and all kinds of water sports.
These are small sail boats used by beginners
learning to sail. Some are called sail fish
or sun fish.
Destruction from Hurricane Katrina can still
be found in the 7th, 8th and 9th wards of
New Orleans nearly nine years after she
made landfall.
Hurricane Katrina pushed water over the top
of some of the levees. The levees began to wash
away as water gushed through the openings.
The pumping stations that are needed to keep
New Orleans dry were overwhelmed with
the deluge of water. Homes, property and lives
were lost. The Corp of Engineers have been
working for nine years to raise and strenthen the
levees.
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