The dam was closed August 15 to head off flooding in southern Louisiana . The dam diverted water down the Atchafalaya River and to the Gulf of Mexico . Three of the dam 's 17 opened bays had been closed by Wednesday .
The spillway was opened May 14 to head off flooding in southern Louisiana . The move diverted water down the Atchafalaya River basin to the Gulf of Mexico . Three of the spillway 's 17 opened bays had been closed by Wednesday .