On Friday evening, the Corps said it would open the spillway once river flows reach 1.5 million cubic feet per second.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

As of Wednesday evening, 17 bays were open at Morganza -- one more than earlier in the day -- moving water at an estimated 114, 000 cubic feet per second, the Corps of Engineers said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

New Orleans has the largest pumps in the nation, Thornton said, capable of moving 10, 000 cubic feet of water per second.

CNN: Louisiana governor declares emergency ahead of Gustav