To Prevent Flooding in New Orleans, Holding Water Rather Than Pumping It

The city plans to use a different approach to tackle its longstanding flood problems.

1 minute read

October 17, 2018, 7:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Levee flooding New Orleans

CWO2 Kiel Skager, USA / The U.S. National Archives

Beau Evans reports on efforts in New Orleans to address flood threats by shifting away from pumping water to retaining it. “Doing so would ease the burden placed on pumps and underground drainage pipes during storms, and more water stored over time would help replenish the city's groundwater levels to counteract the sinking effects of subsidence,” says Evans.

The 2013 Urban Water Plan described the many challenges New Orleans faces in dealing with stormwater. “Perhaps more concisely than any other document, it dissects the combined influences of the city's low-lying topography, subsidence, impervious surfaces and the constant threat of heavy rains that often overwhelm the drainage system,” reports Evans.

Evans says the city has been slow in getting projects off the ground that use the retention-hold approach, with a backlog of about $250 million in projects when Mayor LaToya Cantrell came on board in the spring. A series of green infrastructure projects to contain water are planned for the next several months, including construction of retention ponds, rain gardens, and permeable pavement.

Sunday, October 14, 2018 in NOLA.com

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit