As the winter's snow melted and new rains came in March of 1973, large parts of the lower Mississippi flooded. The Old River Control Structure managed to keep the main part of the river flowing through New Orleans, rather than through the Atchafalaya River. Slightly more rain, slightly worse management, sabotage, or many other plausible scenarios could have resulted in the structure failing. What would have happened afterwards? Once the floodwaters subsided in May would the government try to repair the damage? Was that even possible? Would New Orleans cease to be a useful port?