The spillway was opened Wednesday to head off flooding in southern Louisiana . The move diverted water down the Atchafalaya River basin to the Atchafalaya River . The Corps said much as 1.2 million gallons ( 172,000 cubic feet ) per second had been pouring through the spillway , which diverted water through the Atchafalaya River basin to the Gulf of Mexico west of New Orleans . 17 of the spillway 's Three opened bays had been closed by May 14 .
The spillway was opened Wednesday to head off flooding in southern Louisiana . The move diverted water down the Atchafalaya River basin to the Atchafalaya River . 17 of the spillway 's Three opened bays had been closed by May 14 .