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DATE: November 27, 2005 14:48:51 CST
Federal Channels
Waterways Management

Federal Channels

Measurement Definitions

Recovery: Percent Federal Channel and Safety Fairways Open to Navigation
Percent recovery is the number of storm affected miles of federal waterways that are open to vessel traffic regardless of restrictions divided by the total number of miles of federal waterway affected by the storm.
Restoration: Percent Federal Channel and Safety Fairways at Pre-storm Condition
Percent restoration is the number of miles returned to pre-hurricane dimensions (depth and width) divided by the number of miles of federal waterway affected
Amplifying Information
In the case of Hurricane Katrina the storm affected waterways the area extends from Mobile, AL west to Port Fourchon, LA and from Baton Rouge, LA, south to the entrance buoys of the harbor channels in this area.  
Restrictions that exist along the waterways affect the restoration.  Restrictions can be, draft restrictions, width restrictions of one way traffic restrictions.  Day light restrictions are not considered here if they are imposed because of aids to navigation. 
This item has been expanded to include the safety fairways (475 miles) leading to and connecting the federal channels.
Data Source(s)
US Army Corps of Engineers
NOAA, US Navy and USACE all conduct channel survey operations to ensure no hazards to navigation lie in channel or waterways.
Pilots and Other Waterway Operators
Stakeholders
Port Authorities
American Waterway Operators
Pilots Associations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What agencies are involved in the management of federal channels?  The USACE is the federal agency which manages and maintains federal channels.  NOAA and the Navy assist in surveying channels after events to ensure no obstructions or hazards exist.  These surveys are done at the request of the USCG Captain of the Port.
How long will it take to restore the channels to pre-hurricane conditions?
This factor depends greatly on the individual channel and its importance to the port.  The USACE has emergency dredging authority.

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