The levee inspection process is one of the most critical jobs for the SLFPA—West. It is a continuous, painstaking process, designed to ensure that information is thoroughly and accurately gathered for the safety of the community. Inspections are conducted by a variety of individuals: Levee District supervisors and maintenance personnel; Executive personnel; representatives of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LDOTD); and the U S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

During construction, levee district representatives regularly visit job sites and confer with corps inspectors and contractor representatives. Levee district personnel also make independent inspections, and provide advice on any concerns relating to the construction. They attend regular status meetings at the job sites. They also conduct formal inspections of the levee, while under construction, with LDOTD, USACE and contractor representatives. These inspections take place during the 25% – 50% – 95% – and 100% construction intervals.

Prior to hurricane season, special levee inspections are performed on the hurricane levee system. Inspections on the Mississippi River Levee system are conducted prior to high water season. If the USACE's River Gauge shows the Mississippi's water level reaching 15-feet, river levee inspections will occur seven days a week. If the river reaches 17-feet, those inspections are increased to 24 hours a day.

Prior to, and if possible, during all hurricane related events, Authority crews, supervisory personnel, executive staff and levee commissioners constantly perform inspections of all levee systems.

LEVEE INSPECTION HIGHLIGHTS Highway 45 Levee (1992) During construction, WJLD inspectors observed uneven surfaces atop the levee during construction. They were concerned that the USACE might have allowed the contractor to deviate from plans. The WJLD, through the LADOTD, conducted surveys, soil borings, and analyses of the levee. This resulted in the USACE agreeing to take responsibility for any repairs relating to this. Mississippi River Levee (1992) High water conditions threatened a new levee that was still under construction by the USACE. WJLD inspectors observed about 400- feet of bank line falling into river. Over an eight hour time period, workers hauled in approximately 300- truck loads of rip rap to stabilize bank. Mississippi River Levee (1993) High water conditions once again tested a levee that, in this case, was under reconstruction by the USACE. WJLD inspectors observed that a floodwall was being undermined by the conditions. Disaster was averted when levee personnel stabilized the floodwall with large stone hauled in by three large barges. Westwego Floodwall (1994) After the floodwall was constructed, WJLD inspectors observed several wet areas along the land side of the completed floodwall. An investigation revealed separations in sheet pile interlocks. Engineers quickly corrected the problem. Westwego Levee (1995) WJLD inspectors observed the USACE's contractor burying debris into a levee section under construction. The incident was reported and corrected. Lake Cataouatche Levee (Bayou Segnette State Park) (1995) During that year's famous May heavy rain and flooding, Levee District employees performing inspections made an alarming discovery: In one night, armadillos had invaded the levee and burrowed over 400 holes into the structure. The affected levee had to be completely rebuilt. Price tag for the armadillo invasion: Approximately $ 800,000. Mississippi River Levee (1998) During a high water event, WJLD inspectors observed a fault line developing along the water-side property near the community of Nine Mile Point. The situation was reported to the USACE. The problem was soon corrected. Harvey Canal Levee (2004) Regular inspections by WJLD personnel revealed that the USACE contractor had been improperly burying rip rap and other debris into an "under construction" levee section. After several meetings and notifications, the contractor corrected the situation. Lake Cataouatche Levee (2005) On the eve of the 2005 hurricane season, levee district supervisors became seriously concerned about a USACE contractor's ability to properly rebuild the existing Lake Cataouatche Levee. Eventually, the contractor was removed from the job, and the WJLD soon took control of the project. Over a two-month period, the levee was completely rebuilt. Many observers believe that parts of the West Bank, including Avondale and other areas, would have been flooded by the storm surge of Hurricane Rita, had WJLD not taken action.