An aggressive project to divert floodwaters from the Comite River, out of the Amite River Basin, to the Mississippi River

This aggressive project to divert floodwaters from the Comite River, out of the Amite River Basin, to the Mississippi River involved a 12-mile long channel north of Baker, Louisiana. 

The Corps turned to ABMB to design a riser pipe and two low-drop structures that will help manage the flow of Cypress and White Bayous into the diversion channel before the floodwaters enter the river. 

An interesting feature of these drop structures is the addition of aqueducts to keep minimal flows in the bayous and maintain their viabilities as ecosystems. Since the level of the diversion channel is considerably lower than the bayous, it is actually necessary to pipe the bayou flows across the diversion channel. The crossing of the channel is to be supported by concrete and steel bents, with the innovative feature of breakaway joints in the event debris forms against the pipes during peak diversion channel flows.

Under a separate project, ABMB was tasked with designing a new highway bridge over U.S. 61 with a temporary bypass, a new access road for the Lilly Bayou control structure, a new railroad bridge (KCSRR) with temporary bypass, and relocation of a local road and approximately 3,500 feet of the diversion channel. This project tied into the Lilly Bayou Control Structure, which is the final structure prior to the diverted flows entering the outfall channel and into the Mississippi River.

The overall Comite Diversion Project is located between the Mississippi and Comite Rivers, approximately 15 miles north of Baton Rouge.

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