Various reports: "water is receding". Can anyone explain HOW this is

[karlrschneider]

happening? Are they saying it's seeping into the ground? yes, I understand how -some- of it can do that...but since the levees have not yet been totally plugged what is supposedly keeping the Ponchartrain water from draining through the remaining breach(es?) and keeping the NO 'soup-bowl' at equilibrium with the lake? My engineering degree is in aeronautics, not hydraulics but I think I know basic physics well enough to wonder about this...

[Kenroy]

1. I wondered about this too...

the water is at the level of lake Pontchartrain. The lake itself is lowering, therefore the water in the bowl is going down with it. After the big storm, the lake is returning to its normal level.

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. They broke part of the St. Bernard Levee open today

Sounds like it was successful.

[karlrschneider]

6. AH! Okay, thanks I missed that.

...

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Of course according to certain DUers

that I will not mention, this sort of thing was impossible yesterday.

[karlrschneider]

12. I have the oddest feeling you might be referring to me...if so and if I

said something stupid, please don't beat around the bush (as it were)...I'm a lot more interested in facts than feelings...
;-)

[TrueAmerican]

3. Simple Haley Barbor to the Rescue

Haley Barbor was thrown into the water. About 40,000 gallons splashed out into the Gulf.

[SammyWinstonJack]

Jim Dandy to the rescue.

:silly: I think I need a break from all the insanity.

[tnlefty]

4. I saw a report this morning. Some huge, metal appearing, sheets

had been attached to a bridge (these sheets weren't smooth). The water was swirling, albeit slowly, and flowing away. I was sickened when I saw the aerial from further and it was obvious that the swirling water was incredibly contaminated.

[geomon666]

5. Maybe..

It's so freaking hot over there the water is just evaporating at incredible speed. Or maybe that's just bullshit. Who knows?

[Teaser]

7. Storm surge into Lake Ponchartrain has subsided

Lowering its levels, thus sucking some water out of the punchbowl.

[benburch]

10. Along with whatever was floating in the water... nt

[I_Make_Mistakes]

11. CBS news also showed that a breached levy had been patched

It was an aerial shot so I am not sure, but it looked like huge sacks
of sand piled on top of each other. This is good news anyway!

[Walt Starr]

9. They breeched other parts of the levees

allowing the water to flow out into Lake Pontchartrain.

[karlrschneider]

14. Well, I'm not sure how that would work...is the lake tilted somehow?

Not to be a smart-ass, but how would opening other levees to the lake accomplish anything that the -original- opening couldn't? I just can't figure out the hydrodynamics at work here.

[Inland]

13. Tide is out, lowering level of Pontchartrain and Lake New Orleans.

The water level in the city is now subject to tides, like the rest of the ocean.