Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 56 - PUBLIC WORKS
Part I - Water Wells
Chapter 3 - Water Well Construction
Section I-317 - Location in Relation to Levees

A. Wells or holes as defined in Part I, except relief wells, shall not be drilled within 250 feet of the levees [R.S. 38:225(6)]. The department interprets this statute to mean that the well or wells shall be at least 250 feet from the land side toe of the levee. For this agency to consider any exception to the above, written approval from the appropriate local authorities such as levee boards or the Corps of Engineers is necessary and should be submitted with the variance request.

B. When wells are to be drilled within 1,500 feet of any state or federal flood control levee or structure, the owner or driller must first obtain permission from the appropriate levee board. The Corps of Engineers requires that drilling commence and casing be set and cemented in place to a specified depth while the stage of the Mississippi River is below 11.0 feet National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) on the Carrollton Gage, New Orleans, Louisiana, unless a waiver to this restriction is granted. Requests to vary from their requirements must be sent to the appropriate levee board and the Corps of Engineers. For specific information concerning river stages and drilling wells near levees, the owner, engineer or water well contractor should contact the following:

U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers

New Orleans District

Box 60267

New Orleans, LA 70160

Phone: (504) 862-2204

U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers

Vicksburg District

Box 60

Vicksburg, MS 39180-0060

Phone: (601) 634-5000

C. Requirements for relief wells located within 250 feet from the land side toe of the levee include: