The powerful Hurricane Ida was a deadly and destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane that became the second-most damaging storm to ever strike U.S. soil, just behind Katrina. It also caused catastrophic flooding across New England. 

What Are Levee Gates?

A levee is a man-made structure designed to control the flow of water and debris to prevent flooding. Levees are used across the world in areas close to sea level to protect lives and infrastructure. The hydraulically operated levee gates open the levees to allow marine traffic to pass through the protected waterways during normal weather conditions

These levees are critical in New Orleans, which is constantly at risk of severe flooding. 

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Hydraulic Levee Gates In New Orleans

Back in 2010, the Army Corps of Engineers invested $14 Billion in fortifying the New Orleans Levee system to protect the city.

Although there were a handful of hurricanes to hit the area, Ida was the first major Hurricane to challenge Atlantic Hydraulic Systems’ 17 hydraulically powered levee gates that protect New Orleans.

Our team was honored with the engineering, manufacture, and commission of the hydraulic power units and PLC control systems for the levee gates.

One key in the system’s design is that it’s protected from the extremely corrosive environment in the New Orleans area. Therefore, our engineers specified a great deal of stainless steel hydraulic components on the projects.

Rigorous maintenance programs and hydraulic oil testing & conditioning played a considerable role in the recent successful gate operation that prevented catastrophic flooding.

You’ll find our experts happy to answer any questions you have about hydraulic fluids!