With the swollen River in the background he stands on top of the Spillway structure that he keeps mechanically safe. Normally this structure acts as a levee but in high water times it is opened to relieve the pressure of the River on levees upstream and protect the City of New Orleans, downstream, from flooding.
The normal River Bank is at the tree line behind him.
The River at the Spillway this day was 22 feet at the gauge. It is expected to crest this week.