St. Charles Parish is pushing forward with a significant boost to its flood defense systems with the inception of construction on two new pump stations in Montz, effectively planting the seeds for what local officials deem a necessary augmentation to protect the community. During a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Aug. 22, Parish President Matthew Jewell, alongside Parish Council members and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, marked the commencement of what has been recognized as a crucial infrastructure project. According to the St. Charles Parish government's own announcement, Jewell emphasized the urgency and importance of the stations, stating, "Permanent pumping capacity is desperately needed in Montz,” and further noting that this investment will safeguard residents and secure a more resilient future for the area.
The Montz I and II Pump Stations are being built to greatly improve the area’s ability to handle floodwaters, increasing pumping capacity to 607 CFS—over three times more than the current temporary system on the Prescott Canal. These new, permanent stations will help protect the community during storms and heavy rains. They’ll feature modern technology like automatic screen cleaners, SCADA controls, diesel generators, and on-site water storage, ensuring they keep working even during power outages, as reported by the St. Charles Parish.
The $32 million project is being funded by both state and local sources—$10 million from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and the rest pending approval from the Parish Council. GIS Engineering, LLC designed the pump stations, and Sealevel Construction, Inc. will build them as the lowest bidder. This project reflects strong teamwork between local and state agencies, focused on protecting the community and preparing for future storms, as stated by the St. Charles Parish.
Once finished, these pump stations will become a key part of the East Bank West Shore Hurricane Protection Levee System. They’re expected to help protect over 800 homes, as well as important sites like factories, a power plant, a church, and a fire station. For the community of Montz, this project is a big step toward reducing flood risk and protecting against future storms—a response to years of hardship caused by past flooding, as per the St. Charles Parish.
