New life for decommissioned New Orleans flood protection equipment

Depco is helping find new uses for the power units used by the City of New Orleans at flood prevention pumping stations constructed after Hurricane Katrina. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created temporary pumping stations to protect the city against future storm surges and completed a new, permanent flood management solution in May of 2018.

Constructing Storm Surge Barriers to Protect the City of New Orleans

Much of New Orleans sits at or below sea level. Throughout the city’s history of growth and expansion along the Mississippi River, a complex system of levees, canals, and pumps was created to reduce the risk of flooding. When Hurricane Katrina hit the area in August 2005, the city already had 148 drainage pumps designed to minimize the effects of flooding and storm surge on low-lying areas. Unfortunately, 80% of the city still flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

To secure the city against future flooding events, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed temporary water pumps and flood gates in 2006 to protect Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes until the completion of a permanent solution.

The new flood control system includes a giant surge barrier east of the city, where levee breaches occurred after Hurricane Katrina. The surge barrier can hold a storm surge of 30 feet. In addition to the surge barrier, a permanent pump system for the canals, including pump stations and storm surge gates constructed at the ends of 17th street, London Avenue, and Orleans Ave canals, keep the city’s three main drainage canals functioning.

Restoring Local Areas to Pre-Katrina Conditions

The creation of a permanent pump system to replace the temporary structures began in 2013 by PCCP Constructors, completed in 2018 for $725 million. In response, the Corps selected M.R. Pittman Group LLC to decommission the original system, including removing all materials and restoring the areas near the 17th Street, Orleans Avenue, and London Avenue drainage canals to pre-Katrina conditions.

The project included the removal of all related above-ground equipment, machinery, and buildings. The $17 million contract included breaking down three pumping stations within residential neighborhoods, near local businesses, and the University of New Orleans. The project also contained area improvements, including replacing trees removed during the construction of the temporary stations.

Depco Steps in to Help, Finding New Uses for Power Units

Depco helped with the effort by purchasing 92 generators and engines from the project and is actively finding new uses for the equipment. After removing the hydraulic pumps and the master skids, fourteen C18 industrial power units have been sold to a pump manufacturer located in Houston. In addition, more than twenty 3412 power units were sold. Four units were recommissioned by a heavy equipment dealer, and three 3412 power units were put to work for an oil and gas company headquartered in West Texas, with the remaining units going to a pump company.

After receiving any necessary servicing or testing by Depco technicians at the Depco facility, the units will now help power oil rigs, other pumps, and other projects worldwide.

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