U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Fact Sheet 2020-3011

August 2020

Prepared in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development 

Water Resources of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana

Introduction 

Information concerning the availability, use, and quality of 

water in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana (fig. 1), is critical for proper 

water-supply management. The purpose of this fact sheet is to 

present information that can be used by water managers, parish 

residents, and others for stewardship of this vital resource. In 

2014, about 70 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of water were 

withdrawn in Avoyelles Parish, including about 59.27 Mgal/d 

from groundwater sources and 10.95 Mgal/d from surface-water 

sources1 (table 1). Withdrawals for agricultural use—composed 

of1aquaculture, general irrigation, livestock, and rice irrigation—

accounted for 93 percent (65.59 Mgal/d) of the total water 

withdrawn (table 2). Other categories of use included public supply 

and rural domestic. Water-use data collected at 5-year intervals from 

1960 to 2010 and again in 2014 indicated that water withdrawals 

peaked in 2014 (fig. 2). 

1

Water-withdrawal data are based on estimated or reported site-specific data 

and aggregated data, which are distributed to sources. For a full description 

of water-use estimate methodology, see “Data Collection” in Sargent (2011). 

Tabulation of numbers in text and tables may result in different totals because of 

rounding; nonrounded numbers are used for calculation of totals. 

Figure 1. Location of study area, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana.

Groundwater Resources 

The primary freshwater-bearing aquifers in Avoyelles Parish 

are the alluvial and terrace aquifers and Evangeline aquifer (figs. 1 

and 3). The Jasper aquifer system, which is composed of the 

Carnahan Bayou aquifer and the Williamson Creek aquifer, and the 

Jasper equivalent aquifer system also may contain freshwater, but 

few withdrawals are made from these systems by comparison. In 

the central part of the parish, the base of fresh groundwater (water 

with a chloride concentration of 250 milligrams per liter [mg/L] 

or less) is present in the alluvial aquifers at altitudes of less than 

100 feet (ft) below the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 

(NGVD 29) to greater than 150 ft below NGVD 29 (fig. 1). In the 

eastern part of the parish, the base of fresh groundwater is present in 

the Jasper equivalent aquifer system at altitudes of less than 200 ft 

below NGVD 29 to greater than 1,000 ft below NGVD 29 (fig. 1) 

(Smoot, 1988). In the northwestern corner of the parish, the base of 

freshwater is present in the Jasper aquifer system at less than 150 ft 

to greater than 400 ft below NGVD 29. In the southwestern part 

of the parish, the base of freshwater is present in the Evangeline 

aquifer at altitudes of less than 300 ft below NGVD 29 to greater 

than 1,000 ft below NGVD 29.

OLD RIVER

CONTROL

STRUCTURE

49

71

115

1

1

71

A A'

AVOYELLES

PARISH

LA SALLE

PARISH

CONCORDIA

PARISH

CATAHOULA

PARISH 

POINT COUPEE

PARISH

WEST FELICIANA

PARISH

EVANGELINE

PARISH

RAPIDES

PARISH

ST LANDRY

PARISH

LA SALLE

PARISH

CONCORDIA

PARISH

CATAHOULA

PARISH 

POINT COUPEE

PARISH

WEST FELICIANA

PARISH

EVANGELINE

PARISH

RAPIDES

PARISH

ST LANDRY

PARISH

Atchafalaya River

Bayou

des Glaises

Bayou Rouge

Bayou Boeuf

Saline Lake

Red

River

Bayou BoeufCocodrie

Diversion

Channel Atchafalaya River

Bayou

des Glaises

Red River

Bayou Rouge

Bayou Boeuf

Saline Lake

Lower Old

River

Bayou

Des Glaises

Diversion

Channel

Red

River

Mississippi

River

Coco

Canal

Alluvial aquifer

Jasper aquifer

system

(Williamson Creek

aquifer)

Evangeline

aquifer

Jasper equivalent

aquifer system

Alluvial aquifer

Jasper aquifer

system

(Williamson Creek

aquifer)

Evangeline

aquifer

Evangeline equivalent

aquifer system

Jasper equivalent

aquifer system

Jasper aquifer system

(Carnahan Bayou

aquifer)

Hessmer

Simmesport

Marksville

Alexandria

Marksville

Alexandria

Lower Red

subbasin

Bayou Teche

subbasin Atchafalaya

subbasin

Lower Red

subbasin

Bayou Teche

subbasin Atchafalaya

subbasin

07381490

07355500

07383500

07355601

07381490

07355500

07383500 Av-406

Av-164

Av-329

31°20'

31°10'

31°00'

30°50'

91°50'

91°40'

92°30'

92°10' 92°00' 92°20'

Base modified from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Albers Equal-Area Conic projection

North American Datum of 1983 0 10 20 MILES

0 10 20 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

Av-329

A A'

07355601

07355500

Approximate altitude of base of fresh groundwater,

in feet below National Geodetic Vertical Datum

of 1929 (NGVD 29) (modified from Smoot, 1988)—

Deepest freshwater contained within the alluvial

aquifer, except where noted

50 to 99

100 to 149

150 to 199

200 to 299

300 to 399

400 to 499

500 to 599

600 to 699

700 to 799

800 to 899

900 to 999

1,000 and deeper 

Approximate area where little to no fresh

groundwater is available

Approximate boundary of area showing deepest 

freshwater contained within the underlying 

Evangeline aquifer, Evangeline equivalent 

aquifer system, Jasper aquifer system 

(Williamson Creek aquifer), Jasper aquifer

system (Carnahan Bayou aquifer), and Jasper 

equivalent aquifer system

River subbasin boundary

Line of section (see fig. 3) (modified from Smoot, 1989)

Well for which hydrograph is shown (see fig. 4)

U.S. Geological Survey surface-water streamflow 

site and number

U.S. Geological Survey surface-water-quality site

and number (see table 4)

GULF OF MEXICO

AVOYELLES

PARISH

Mississippi River

TEXAS

MISSISSIPPI

ARKANSAS

LOUISIANA
Figure 2. Water withdrawals in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, 

1960–2014 (U.S. Geological Survey, 2017a; Collier, 2018).

Figure 3. Idealized west-to-east hydrogeologic section through 

Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, showing aquifer and confining unit 

intervals (individual sand and clay layers not shown). Trace of 

section shown on figure 1.

Alluvial and Terrace Aquifers

The alluvial aquifers are composed of the Mississippi River 

alluvial and Red River alluvial aquifers, and the terrace aquifers 

are composed of the Upland and Prairie terrace aquifers. The 

terrace aquifers are present in the upland areas of the parish, and 

the alluvial aquifers are present in the lowlands. The alluvial and 

terrace aquifers are composed of the lower part of riverine and 

deltaic deposits (Fisk, 1940) that generally grade from clay and 

silt at the surface to sand and gravel at the base. The aquifers are 

composed of the sand and gravel layers. Although referred to 

by different names, because of the differences in deposition and 

erosion, the Mississippi River alluvial, Red River alluvial, and 

Prairie and Upland terrace aquifers act as a system because of the 

hydraulic connection of the sand and gravel layers. The system 

ranges from 50 to 150 ft thick within the parish. The upper part of 

the alluvial deposits, composed of silt and clay, forms a confining 

layer that ranges from less than 5 to 50 ft thick and is absent in 

some locales. The altitude of the base of the system of aquifers 

ranges from less than 100 to greater than 150 ft below NGVD 29 

(Marie, 1971). 

The primary source of recharge for the alluvial and terrace 

aquifers is the infiltration of precipitation, with secondary sources 

of recharge from streams and rivers and from underlying aquifers 

when hydraulic pressure in underlying aquifers is high enough 

to result in upward groundwater flow. In the 1960s, groundwater 

in the alluvial aquifer moved towards the Red River in the north 

and northeastern parts of the parish, the Atchafalaya River in the 

southeast, and Evangeline Parish in the southwest (Marie, 1971). 

Table 1. Water withdrawals, in million gallons per day, by 

source in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, 2014 (Collier, 2018).

Aquifer or 

surface-water body Groundwater Surfacewater

Alluvial aquifers 47.45

Terrace aquifers 7.50

Evangeline aquifer 4.32

Jasper aquifer system 0.01

Miscellaneous surface waters 10.95

Total 59.27 10.95

Table 2. Water withdrawals, in million gallons per day, by use 

category in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, 2014 (Collier, 2018).

Use category Groundwater Surface water Total

Aquaculture 18.43 6.14 24.58

Public supply 4.45 0.00 4.45

Rural domestic 0.18 0.00 0.18

Livestock 0.15 0.00 0.15

Rice irrigation 21.35 1.12 22.47

General irrigation 14.72 3.68 18.39

Total 59.27 10.95 70.22

Groundwater

Surface water

EXPLANATION

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2014

Year

Annual withdrawal, in million gallons per day

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

0 5 10 MILES

0 5 10 KILOMETERS

VERTICAL SCALE GREATLY EXAGGERATED

Bayou Boeuf-Cocodrie Diversion Channel

Bayou Boeuf

Bayou Rouge

Coco Canal

Bayou Des Glaises Diversion Channel

Atchafalaya River

BEND INSECTION

BEND INSECTION

BEND INSECTION

BEND INSECTION

BEND INSECTION

BEND INSECTION

500

NGVD 29

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

FEET

500

NGVD 29

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

FEET

Evangeline

aquifer

Jasper equivalent

aquiferr system

Jasper equivalent

aquifer system

Evangeline equivalent aquifer system

Alluvial aquifer

Dough Hills confining unit

Castor Creek confining unit

Jasper

aquifer

system

(Williamson

Creek

aquifer)

Evangeline

aquifer

Jasper equivalent

aquifer system

Jasper equivalent

aquifer system

Evangeline equivalent

aquifer system

Alluvial aquifer

Dough Hills confining unit

Castor Creek confining unit

Jasper

aquifer

system

(Carnahan

Bayou

aquifer)

Hydrogeologic unit (modified from Smoot, 1988, 1989)

Aquifer containing freshwater—Freshwater contains

a chloride concentration of 250 milligrams per

liter or less

Aquifer containing saltwater

Confining unit

Hydrogeologic contact (modified from Smoot, 1989)—

Separates hydrogeologic units. Dashed where 

approximately located

Approximate freshwater/saltwater interface

(modified from Smoot, 1988, 1989) 

EXPLANATION 

NGVD 29, National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929

WEST EAST

A A'
Groundwater withdrawals in Avoyelles Parish have increased from 

3.99 Mgal/d in 1960 to 59.27 Mgal/d in 2014 (fig. 2), and the 

direction of flow may have changed since the 1960s. Groundwater 

may flow from one aquifer into another and discharges by way of 

flow into streams and rivers, evapotranspiration, and well withdrawals 

(Marie, 1971).

Water levels at well Av-329 (U.S. Geological Survey [USGS] 

site number 311708092073701), located in the northern part of the 

parish and north of the Red River (fig. 1), fluctuated annually with 

a period of lower water levels during approximately 1980–2002, 

but overall have remained stable during 1968–2012 (fig. 4). Water 

levels at well Av-164 (USGS site number 310453092022901), located 

south of Marksville and screened in the Upland terrace aquifer, have 

fluctuated seasonally and declined by less than 5 ft during 1966–2017 

(fig. 4).

State well-registration records listed 468 active water wells 

screened in the alluvial aquifers in Avoyelles Parish in 2017: 

334 irrigation wells, 119 domestic wells, 7 industrial wells, and 

8 public-supply wells. Well depths ranged from 15 to 205 ft below 

land surface, and reported yields ranged from 10 to 7,500 gallons 

per minute (gal/min) (Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 

2017). In 2014, about 47.45 Mgal/d were withdrawn from the alluvial 

aquifers, with use categories including 0.59 Mgal/d for public 

supply, 0.07 Mgal/d for rural domestic, 0.08 Mgal/d for livestock, 

19.64 Mgal/d for rice irrigation, 13.24 Mgal/d for general irrigation, 

and 13.82 Mgal/d for aquaculture (Collier, 2018).

 State well-registration records listed 115 active water wells 

screened in the terrace aquifers in Avoyelles Parish in 2017: 

44 irrigation wells, 50 domestic wells, 3 industrial wells, and 

18 public-supply wells. Well depths ranged from 39 to 200 ft below 

land surface, and reported yields ranged from 6 to 4,000 gal/min 

(Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 2017). In 2014, about 

7.50 Mgal/d were withdrawn from the terrace aquifers, with use 

categories including 0.83 Mgal/d for public supply, 0.03 Mgal/d 

for rural domestic, 0.02 Mgal/d for livestock, 1.28 Mgal/d for rice 

irrigation, 0.74 Mgal/d for general irrigation, and 4.61 Mgal/d for 

aquaculture (Collier, 2018).

Evangeline Aquifer

In Avoyelles Parish, freshwater is present in the Evangeline 

aquifer in the southwestern and southeastern parts of the parish 

(where it is also called the Evangeline equivalent aquifer system), 

but not in the south-central part of the parish. The aquifer subcrops 

in southern Avoyelles Parish and dips and thickens to the south. 

Altitudes of the top of the aquifer range from about NGVD 29 to 

less than 200 ft below NGVD 29 (Whitfield, 1975). The aquifer is 

composed of individual sand layers that are separated by clay layers 

(Whitfield, 1975). Total aquifer thickness ranges from greater than 

500 ft to greater than 1,000 ft, whereas the aggregate thickness of 

freshwater-bearing sands ranges from less than 200 ft to greater than 

600 ft (Whitfield, 1975). Generally, individual sand layers within the 

aquifer are less than 50 ft thick, but some are 100 ft thick or greater. 

The aquifer is recharged by indirect infiltration of precipitation 

through overlying terrace aquifers in Avoyelles Parish (Whitfield, 

1975). The Evangeline aquifer is separated from the underlying 

Jasper aquifer system by the Castor Creek confining unit (fig. 3), 

which is composed primarily of clay (Whitfield, 1975). Water levels 

at well Av-406 (USGS site number 310305092101202), screened in 

the Evangeline aquifer in Avoyelles Parish west of Hessmer, have 

declined since the first measurement of about 30 ft above NGVD 

29 in 1979 to about 16 ft above NGVD 29 in 2016; the water-level 

decline is partially due to seasonal variation (fig. 4). 

State well-registration records listed 135 active water wells 

screened in the Evangeline aquifer in Avoyelles Parish in 2017: 

104 domestic wells, 2 industrial wells, 5 irrigation wells, and 

24 public-supply wells. Depths of these wells ranged from 210 to 

925 ft below land surface, and reported yields ranged from 1 to 

690 gal/min (Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 2017). 

In 2014, about 4.32 Mgal/d were withdrawn from the Evangeline 

Figure 4. Water levels in well Av-329 screened in the Red River alluvial aquifer, well Av-164 screened in the Upland terrace aquifer, and 

well Av-406 screened in the Evangeline aquifer in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana (see fig. 1 for well locations; U.S. Geological Survey, 2017b). 

Well: Av-406

Aquifer: Evangeline aquifer

Well depth: 399 ft below land surface

Altitude of land surface: 75.00 ft above NGVD 29

Well: Av-329

Aquifer: Red River alluvial aquifer

Well depth: 45.0 ft below land surface

Altitude of land surface: 45.60 ft above NGVD 29

Well: Av-164

Aquifer: Upland terrace aquifer

Well depth: 192 ft below land surface

Altitude of land surface: 80.00 ft above NGVD 29

Note: Blank where no data

Dots indicate a single measurement

Water level, in feet (ft) above the National Geodetic

Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29)

 10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Year

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
aquifer in Avoyelles Parish with use categories including 

3.04 Mgal/d for public supply, 0.07 Mgal/d for rural domestic, 

0.04 Mgal/d for livestock, 0.43 Mgal/d for rice irrigation, and 

0.74 Mgal/d for general irrigation (Collier, 2018).

Groundwater Quality

Groundwater samples were collected during 1937–2014 from 

137 wells screened in the alluvial aquifers, during 1938–87 from 

74 wells screened in the terrace aquifers, and during 1938–2013 

from 64 wells screened in the Evangeline aquifer as part of an 

ongoing program to monitor the State’s groundwater resources 

(table 3) (USGS, 2017b). Median values for hardness were within 

the very hard2 range for the alluvial and terrace aquifers and within 

the soft range for the Evangeline aquifer. Chloride and sulfate 

concentrations were below the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency’s Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels3 (SMCLs) for 

2

Hardness ranges, expressed as milligrams per liter of calcium carbonate, are 

as follows: 0–60, soft; 61–120, moderately hard; 121–180, hard; greater than 

180, very hard (Hem, 1985). 3

The SMCLs are Federal guidelines regarding cosmetic effects (such as 

tooth or skin discoloration), aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color), or 

technical effects (such as damage to water equipment or reduced effectiveness 

of treatment for other contaminants) of potential constituents of drinking water. 

SMCLs were established as guidelines by the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (2016).

Table 3. Summary of selected water-quality characteristics for 137 freshwater wells screened in the alluvial aquifers, 74 freshwater wells 

screened in the terrace aquifers, and 64 freshwater wells screened in the Evangeline aquifer in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana (U.S. Geological 

Survey, 2017b).

[Values are in milligrams per liter, except as noted. °C, degrees Celsius; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; SU, standard unit; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; μg/L, 

micrograms per liter; <, less than; SMCL, Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2016); NA, not 

applicable]

Temperature 

(°C)

Color 

(platinum 

cobalt 

units)

Specific 

conductance, field 

(μS/cm at

25 °C) 

pH, 

field 

(SU)

Hardness 

(as 

CaCO3)

Calcium, 

filtered 

(as Ca)

Magnesium, 

filtered 

(as Mg)

Sodium, 

filtered 

(as Na)

Chloride, 

filtered 

(as Cl)

Sulfate, 

filtered 

(as 

SO4)

Iron, 

filtered 

(μg/L 

as Fe)

Manganese, 

filtered 

(μg/L as 

Mn)

Dissolved 

solids, 

filtered

Alluvial aquifers (1937–2014)

Median 20.5 5 979 6.9 410 99 37 39 36 6.4 11,000 600 568

10th percentile 20 0 699 6.5 270 60 23 17 8 <0.4 850 155 406

90th percentile 22 20 1,470 7.2 757 190 65 110 88 89.4 19,000 1,850 906

Number of 

samples

189 127 233 307 454 200 201 125 481 359 287 286 119

Percentage of 

samples that 

do not exceed 

SMCLs

NA 87 NA 92 NA NA NA NA 100 98 6 2 30

Terrace aquifers (1938–87)

Median 21 5 786 6.8 220 54 19 63.5 74 18 200 125 416

10th percentile 20.3 0 141 6.2 55 13.4 4.8 20 12 0.6 <8 <20 156

90th percentile 22.9 30 1,110 7.6 409 89.6 32.5 128.8 140 156 13,000 1,140 597

Number of 

samples

27 49 47 58 82 35 36 34 91 41 31 20 36

Percentage of 

samples that 

do not exceed 

SMCLs

NA 76 NA 74 NA NA NA NA 100 95 52 40 67

Evangeline aquifer (1938–2013)

Median 22 17 989 8.1 17 5.5 0.95 193 113 1 100 30 584

10th percentile 21 5 683 7.4 5 1.8 0.31 140 38 0 43 10 371

90th percentile 24 47 1,550 8.5 50 14.1 1.84 352 200 3.4 206 104 892

Number of 

samples

34 44 50 46 80 44 44 43 82 52 35 25 42

Percentage of 

samples that 

do not exceed 

SMCLs

NA 50 NA 91 NA NA NA NA 100 100 97 64 38

SMCLs NA 15 NA 6.5–8.5 NA NA NA NA 250 250 300 50 500
at least 95 percent of samples in each aquifer. Iron and manganese 

concentrations exceeded SMCLs in the alluvial aquifers for more 

than 90 percent of samples. Median values for dissolved-solids 

concentration exceeded the SMCL (500 mg/L) for the alluvial 

aquifers and the Evangeline aquifer. 

Surface-Water Resources 

Numerous surface-water resources in Avoyelles Parish are 

present in three regional drainage subbasins. The Atchafalaya 

subbasin (Hydrologic Unit Code [HUC] 08080101) covers the 

southeastern part of the parish, the Lower Red subbasin (HUC 

08040301) covers the northern part of the parish, and the Bayou 

Teche subbasin (HUC 08080102) covers the southwestern part of 

the parish (USGS, 2017b). In 2014, 10.95 Mgal/d were withdrawn 

from miscellaneous surface waters in Avoyelles Parish (table 1): 

6.14 Mgal/d for aquaculture, 3.68 Mgal/d for general irrigation, and 

1.12 Mgal/d for rice irrigation (Collier, 2018). 

Lower Red and Atchafalaya Subbasins

The Red River flows into Avoyelles Parish from Rapides 

Parish and eventually follows the northeastern and eastern borders 

of Avoyelles Parish. The Red River ends along the eastern border of 

the parish where it merges with Mississippi River water to form the 

Atchafalaya River. This merge point is also a transition point into 

the Atchafalaya subbasin. The Old River Control Structure, located 

in neighboring Concordia Parish (fig. 1), directs approximately 

30 percent of the combined flow of the Mississippi River and Red 

River above the structure to the Atchafalaya River (U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers, 2009). The average streamflow, upstream 

from Avoyelles Parish, for the Red River at Alexandria (USGS site 

number 07355500; fig. 1) was 30,770 cubic feet per second (ft3/s) 

during 1928–82 (Carlson and others, 1983). The annual average 

streamflow for the Atchafalaya River at Simmesport (USGS site 

number 07381490) was 218,400 ft3/s during 2009–2015. During 

this period, the highest monthly average streamflow at Simmesport 

occurred during May (354,300 ft3/s) and the lowest during 

November (105,600 ft3/s) (USGS, 2017b). 

Table 4. Summary of selected water-quality characteristics for samples from the Red River near Simmesport and the Atchafalaya 

River at Simmesport, Louisiana (U.S. Geological Survey, 2017b).

[Values are in milligrams per liter, except as noted. μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; °C, degrees Celsius; SU, standard unit; CaCO3, calcium carbonate; 

μg/L, micrograms per liter; SMCL, Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2016); NA, not 

applicable; <, less than]

Specific 

conductance, 

field

(μS/cm at 

25 °C)

Dissolved 

oxygen

pH,

field

(SU)

Hardness 

(as CaCO3)

Calcium, 

filtered 

(as Ca)

Magnesium, 

filtered

(as Mg)

Sodium, 

filtered 

(as Na)

Chloride, 

filtered 

(as Cl)

Sulfate, 

filtered 

(as SO4)

Iron, 

filtered 

(μg/L

as Fe)

Dissolved 

solids, 

filtered

Red River near Simmesport, La. (1977–86)1

Median 328 7.5 7.1 74 21 6 33 50 28 80 187

10th percentile 158 5.5 6.6 42 12 3 12 18 13 20 98

90th percentile 867 10.4 7.7 172 49 14 87 136 70 246 488

Number of 

samples

79 78 79 76 76 76 76 78 78 35 77

Percentage 

of samples 

that do not 

exceed 

SMCLs

NA NA 92 NA NA NA NA 100 100 94 90

Atchafalaya River at Simmesport, La. (1952–77)2

Median 325 8 7.6 110 32 9.3 19.5 23.5 36 30 197

10th percentile 258 6.5 6.9 93 25.7 6.8 12 14.1 28 <10 161

90th percentile 471 10.4 8.1 160 42.3 13 33.3 42 59 75 279

Number of 

samples

60 55 62 61 58 59 58 62 62 16 61

Percentage 

of samples 

that do not 

exceed 

SMCLs

NA NA 98 NA NA NA NA 100 100 100 100

SMCLs NA NA 6.5–8.5 NA NA NA NA 250 250 300 500

1

U.S. Geological Survey site number 07355601 (see fig. 1).

2

U.S. Geological Survey site number 07381490 (see fig. 1).
Bayou Teche Subbasin

The Bayou Teche subbasin covers the southwestern part of 

Avoyelles Parish. Compared to the streams in the Lower Red and 

Atchafalaya subbasins, the streams in the Bayou Teche subbasin 

are relatively small. Multiple streams and diversions are present in 

the Bayou Teche subbasin, including Bayou Rouge, Coco Canal, 

Bayou des Glaises, Bayou Boeuf, and the Bayou des Glaises 

Diversion Channel. USGS streamflow data for this area are limited, 

however, the annual average streamflow for Bayou des Glaises 

Diversion Channel at Moreauville (USGS site number 07383500) 

was 426.9 ft3/s during 1943–2015 from a drainage area of 

270 square miles. During this period, the highest monthly average 

streamflow occurred during February (797 ft3/s) and the lowest 

during August (137 ft3/s) (USGS, 2017b). 

Surface-Water Quality

Water samples were collected from the Red River near 

Simmesport (USGS site number 07355601) during 1977–86 and 

from the Atchafalaya River at Simmesport (USGS site number 

07381490) during 1952–77 (fig. 1) as part of an ongoing program 

to monitor the State’s surface-water resources (table 4). Samples 

from both sites had median values for hardness that were within the 

moderately hard range. Chloride, sulfate, iron, and dissolved-solids 

concentrations and pH were below SMCLs for at least 90 percent 

of samples. Median values for dissolved-oxygen concentrations 

were greater than 7.0 mg/L; generally 5 mg/L is considered the 

minimum value for a diverse population of fresh, warmwater biota, 

including sport fish (Louisiana Department of Environmental 

Quality, 2008). 

References Cited 

Carlson, D.D., Stallworth, G.R., Dantin, L.J., and Stuart, C.L., 1983, 

Water resources data, Louisiana, water year 1983, v. 1: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Data Report LA–83–1.

Collier, A.L., 2018, Water withdrawals by source and category in 

Louisiana Parishes, 2014–2015: U.S. Geological Survey data 

release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F78051VM.

Fisk, H.N., 1940, Geology of Avoyelles and Rapides Parishes: 

Louisiana Department of Conservation Bulletin No. 18, 240 p.

Hem, J.D., 1985, Study and interpretation of the chemical 

characteristics of natural water (3d ed.): U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 2254, 264 p., accessed February 20, 2013, at 

http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/wsp2254.

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, 2008, Environmental 

Regulatory Code, Title 33, Part IX, Subpart 1: Baton Rouge, 

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, accessed June 9, 

2009, at https://www.deq.louisiana.gov/resources/category/

regulations-lac-title-33.

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 2017, Strategic Online 

Natural Resources Information System (SONRIS): Louisiana 

Department of Natural Resources database, accessed June 12, 2017, 

at http://sonris.com/.

Marie, J.R., 1971, Ground-water resources of Avoyelles Parish, 

Louisiana: Department of Conservation Louisiana Geological 

Survey and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water Resources 

Bulletin No. 15, 70 p.

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By Vincent E. White

For additional information, contact: 

Director, USGS Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

3535 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite 120

Baton Rouge, LA 70816

E-mail: gs-w-lmg_center_director@usgs.gov

Fax: (225) 298–5490

Telephone: (225) 298–5481

Home Page: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/lmg-water/

This fact sheet has been prepared by the U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with 

the Louisiana Department of Transportation and 

Development (DOTD), as part of a program to 

document water use, availability, and quality in the 

parishes of Louisiana. Information on the availability, 

past and current water use, use trends, and water 

quality from groundwater and surface-water sources 

in the parish is presented here. Previously published 

reports (see References Cited section) and data 

stored in the USGS National Water Information 

System (USGS, 2017) are the primary sources of the 

information presented here. Special thanks are given 

to Doug Taylor, Director, and Zahir “Bo” Bolourchi 

(retired), DOTD Cooperative Program with the USGS.

ISSN 2327-6916 (print) ISSN 2327-6932 (online) https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20203011