Pumping the Flood Waters Out of New Orleans

Once New Orleans’ breached levees are repaired, the city’s complex system of levees, floodwalls, canals, pumps and locks can be used again to make the below-sea-level city dry.

The water level starts to go down

Major developments from Tuesday’s efforts to drain waterlogged coastal communities:

Pumps begin task: Crews switch on four of 148 pumps in Greater New Orleans.

Barging in: A barge with 24 pumps moves to the Lakeview area to start attacking flooding at the 17th Street Canal today.

Timetable: The Corps of Engineers estimates it will take three weeks to nearly three months to drain New Orleans. Rain, pump conditions and debris affect time.

Lake concerns: Conservationists are worried that pumping polluted water into the lake could result in fish kills and wetlands destruction in the lake.

Pollutant levels: Environmental officials are waiting on test results that could help determine contamination levels.