New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-02

Improvement of the Atchafalaya River.
Some TWO years ago, through our member me-
passed by that body providing that survey
should be made by Major Howell, United
States engineer in charge Of works OF I'M
prOvenent in this State, of the Atchafalaya
river. from its junction with the Red river
to this place. This survey has been made,
and We find the full report OF the same IN
the Secretary of Wars last report to Con-
gress. This report is very full and COM
pIete, and from it we learn that - the whole
length of the river, from its head to this
Mace. a distance Of 237 miles, there are
only tour pointr, and these for only total
distance Of nine miles, in which the depth
OF the river is less than from twenty TO
sixty feet. These points are-the first, COM
mencing from above at Lake Monsoulls
two miles, where the depth is only seven
feet: next at Lake ChicOt and Chicot Pass,
two and q quarter miles, where 1t is from
six to nine feet; next. Boutte bay, for ono
mile. where it is nine feet; and last Sunken
Island, for four miles, where the depth is
only six feet.
Major Howell recommends in his report
the ol edgiDg of these shadows, and the re-
moving Of snags, logs, and other obstruc-
tions. He also describes the Atchafalaya
as the largest waste river or outlet of the
| Mississippi and Red rivers in time of high
va er or over flow; at such times carrying
off all the waters of the Red river and q
large portion of that Of the Mississippi.
| We o.ice that in accordance with this
recommended on Of Major Howell, MIR.
Darrail has introduced q bill in Congress
during the last week to make an apprOpria-
| ton for this work. We have no doubt but
that it will be passed at the present ees-
! sion, and we will soon see the work under
| way, and we hope, before another year,
| completed.
The great importance of this improvement
| to the Courtabieau and Teche countries as
an outlet for their productions can not be
over-estimated. Not only that, but with a
sufficient depth Of water there is no reason
why steamboats from the West, instead of
go,ng to New Orleane, will come into the
Atchafalaya and Teche with their supplies
tor our stores and plantations, and take di.
rect from those plantations to the cities Of
the West the rice, sugar and molasses. Ihle
is what we want. Our people have been
too long at the mercy OF the merchants o.
New Orleans, and subject to the fearful
port and other expenses OF tnat city. Al
must equally important is the other reason
for this work, that is that it will double OF
more than double the carrying capacity IL
| time of high water of that river, which
Major Howell justly calls the largest waste
river OF the Mississippi and Red rivers.
Deepen the nine miles OF shallows z
| twenty feet or more by dredging, and th'
carrying capacity Of the channel will b
doubled. Then, instead of the water being
damned up and overlooking all the rear o
the pia MIA lions on the Teche and smalle
bayous OF this region, it will pass of freel!
} to the gulf without doing any. harm
, Levees alone, in our opinion, will neve
protect this country: The plan ls TO com
bine the policy OF building levees with al
: opening Of the natural outlets; and Q
these outlets, the Atchafalaya is the mos
Observation-Disclosures Register.