Higher Mississippi River turns the Bonnet Carre Spillway into a bald eagle paradise

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Higher Mississippi River levels in recent weeks, timed coincidentally with nesting season, drew bald eagles by the dozens to the Bonnet Carre Spillway.

While the spillway has remained closed, river water flowed through gaps in the spillway pins, creating mini-waterfalls and ponds within the spillway and pushing fish from the river through the gates.

That has made catching a meal an easier task for eagles and other species, including young birds just learning to hunt.

The river levels have fallen in recent days, but the National Weather Service predicts the Mississippi will rise in coming days, from the 11.69 feet at the Carrollton gauge Tuesday afternoon to 12.3 feet on April 28.

Eagles nest in the winter months in South Louisiana and generally fly north by May or June.

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