Some levees in and around New Orleans have subsided over the years and do not meet U.S.A.C.E. Category 3 Storm Protection requirements. Although many of the levees are built from federal funds, most of the levees are maintained and managed by local levee districts.

One of the most successful districts in levee protection is the East Jefferson Levee District (E.J.L.D.). This district oversees levees in the cities of Metairie and Kenner which are located just miles from the city limits of New Orleans. A few years ago, E.J.L.D. engineers determined the major levee system bordering Lake Pontchartrain had indeed subsided up to 3’ in various locations. With the 2004 Hurricane Season quickly approaching, a speedy and reliable solution was sought after. E.J.L.D. Executive Director, Fran Campbell called on the HESCO Concertainer units to provide a levee elevation rise of 3’.

Over 2 miles of HESCO Concertainer units were shipped to the installation site and were to be configured atop the existing earthen levee. E.J.L.D. crews along with volunteers erected the structure in a single row configuration, starting at the base of the Causeway Bridge in Metairie and ending at the Clearview Pumping Station further west. 

Concertainer units are manufactured in 15’ sections and are shipped 10 units per pallet. Within days the entire wall was ready to be filled, providing local residents the needed additional protection. The Concertainer units would provide protection for the 2004 hurricane season, until a permanent earthen raise could be completed by the U.S.A.C.E. in then spring of 2005.

Majority of the earthen levee raise had been completed as the 2005 Hurricane Season began, however a critical sections of the levee still relied on the existing Concertainer units. As Hurricane Katrina quickly approached the area, the Concertainer system would be put to ultimate testing as a potentially devastating storm surge moved into Lake Pontchartrain.

Fran Campbell’s decision to raise the levee proved to be the determining factor that kept the area dry. As the storm surge piled into the lake, water quickly rose upon the new earthen levee and the elevation increase consisting of Concertainer units. Standing in the way of Category 3 winds and large waves was the Concertainer system.  Jim Baker, Director of Maintenance for E.J.L.D., visited the levee during the brunt of the storm to find lake levels well against the row of 3’ Concertainer units. To his amazement the wall was holding as waves splashed over the top. Once the storm had passed and water receded, it was evident that the Concertainer units had actually taken on direct hits from debris. The HESCO Concertainer wall had assisted in preventing major flooding in the lakefront neighborhoods of Jefferson Parish.

The E.J.L.D. took a chance on a product that was tested by the U.S.A.C.E. in laboratories but never used to stop hurricane storm surges. The discovery of a reliable product was very comforting to the E.J.L.D. professionals and prompted them to implement additional product. This additional product was to be installed at other subsided areas within the E.J.L.D. system. In preparation of the 2006 hurricane system, over 2 ½ miles were installed just miles to the west. This levee raise was completed start to finish in less than 2 weeks time using a limited crew and currently provides protection to thousands of residents.