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University of Notre Dame Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences 2010 Junior Class Field Trip
Harnessing the Mississippi River and Delta: The Natural System, Infrastructure,
Risks and Impact
September 29 – October 3, 2010
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PURPOSE OF THIS TRIP: To understand the Mississippi River and its deltaic system; the major
transportation and water supply system it represents; the major hub of the system (New
Orleans where ocean going vessels transfer their goods to/from river barges); how to maintain
the navigability of the system; how to maintain the fresh water supply, the fisheries, and the wetlands; and the flooding risks involved (both from the river and
the ocean). Man's influence on the system
has evolved over the past 300 years, but the Katrina failures
and devastation of five years
ago spurred on one of the largest and most intensive infrastructure rebuilds
in US history:
in particular, the 15 billion dollar redesign and construction of the flood mitigation and
risk reduction system around New Orleans.
OVERALL PURPOSE OF OUR ANNUAL FIELD TRIP: To expose students to some of the biggest and most innovative
infrastructure design and construction efforts going on in the United States; to see first hand that the need to
rebuild our often failing infrastructure is huge; to see first hand the complexity of these structural, transportation,
water resources, and environmental projects that keep our nation productive, efficient and healthy; and to
interact one on one with project and design engineers. These trips help students see the wide range of
opportunities for them to be innovative leaders and also help them connect the classroom to the real world.
Sponsors: This field trip was made possible by the generous support of the Murphy Travel Fund, the University of Notre Dame College of Engineering and Department of Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences
Hosts: USACE Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District, Kiewit, Gulf IntraCoastal Constructors, Inc., Massman Construction Co., MTI (Massman Construction Co., Traylor Bros., Inc. and IHI Inc.), University of New Orleans
Organizers: Diane Westerink, Joannes Westerink