Raising the levee

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Barone | More than 22,000 sandbags were laid by the Louisiana National Guard's 528th Engineer Battalion, 225th Engineer Brigade, to reinforce the back levee between La Reussite and West Pointe à la Hache, in Myrtle Grove, La., over the last three weeks. "It was a joint operation between the parish and National Guard," said Blair Rittiner, Plaquemines Parish land department superintendent. "We filled and delivered the sandbags, and the Guard unloaded and placed the bags. We couldn't have done it without the help of the National Guard."  

PINEVILLE, LA, UNITED STATES

07.17.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Barone 

Louisiana National Guard

PINEVILLE, La. - Soldiers of the Louisiana Army National Guard's 528th Engineer Battalion, 225th Engineer Brigade, finished emplacing more than 22,000 sandbags in Myrtle Grove, La., July 16.

The sandbags were laid to stop possible flooding from high tides along La. Highway 23, the main thoroughfare to Venice, La. More than 15,000 feet of sandbags, or 2.85 miles, were laid at 14 sites to reinforce the back levee between La Reussite and West Pointe à la Hache.

"It was a joint operation between the parish and National Guard,” said Blair Rittiner, Plaquemines Parish land department superintendent. “We filled and delivered the sandbags, and the Guard unloaded and placed the bags. We couldn't have done it without the help of the National Guard."

Approximately 20 Soldiers worked on the project and managed to lay nearly 3,000 sandbags per day, to help hold back high tides, over the last three weeks.

Over the years, levees have settled. The sandbags elevated the levees, adding additional protection from the high tides.

"The mission went well; even though we were held up by the weather, we were still able to finish ahead of schedule," said 1st. Lt. Dennis Veach, 528th Eng. Bn., project manager.

• Date Taken: 07.17.2010
• Date Posted: 07.17.2010 18:42
• Story ID: 52991
• Location: PINEVILLE, LA, US