Morganza Spillway open the Morganza Spillway for the first time since 1973." The second opening of the Morganza Spillway began with the lifting of a single floodgate on May 14, 2011. Diversion of of water from the Mississippi River to the Atchafalaya Basin was planned during this event, with the structure operating at about 21% of its capacity. This diversion was deemed necessary to protect levees and prevent major flooding in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, with the tradeoff of creating possibly severe flooding in the Atchafalaya Basin. By May 18, 2011, a total of 17 gates (the largest number for the
120th Ohio Infantry May 1. Ordered to join Banks at Alexandria on Red River Expedition May 1. Embarked on steamer "City Belle". Action en route at Snaggy Point May 3. Over 200 men captured. Those who escaped were formed into a battalion of three companies and marched to Alexandria. Retreat from Alexandria to Morganza May 13–20. Mansura or Marksville Prairie May 16. Duty at Morganza until September. Expedition to mouth of White River and St. Charles September 13–20. Expedition to Duvall's Bluff, Ark., October 21–27. The regiment lost a total of 300 men during service; 2 officers and 17 enlisted men killed or