The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-11-03
Bayou LafOurche.
Assumption Pioneer.l

We think it would be advisable to
memOrialiZe the next Legislature,
asking assistance for the improvement
of the navigation of our beautiful
stream. An appropriation of twenty
thousand dollars was made at the last
session to keep open the Red river
where it empties into the Mississippi,
so as to secure navigatiorduring low
water. The expenditure has been
productive of untold benefits to that
section, as well as to the city of New
Orleans, which receives the cotton,
sugar and molasses from that portion
of the State, and in return furnishes
the supplies Of provisions and mer-
chandise. s4 -
We are now seriously incommoded
by low water and sand bars ; hauling
freight from fifteen to twenty miles
during busy season of the year is
no small drawback to those who have
heretofore received it at their land
ings. This state of things must con-
tinue until o rise of sufficient magni-
tude takes place to enable flatboats
of light draft to pass.
We should have dredgeboat to
operate during low water, not only to
improve the channel in this parish,
but to remove the bars and debris
found in the lower Lafourche, which
effectually dam the water in winter
and spring, and force US to add an
nually to the height of our levees.
The upper portion of the Lafourche
is gradually widening and the lower
portion is contracting its capacity to
carry off the water in the same ratio.
This is going on to such an extent
that we shall find ourselves serious
sufferers whenever the artificial out
let's of the river are closed. Since
a large portion of the river has found
it's way to the gulf through these
openings the water has not reached
the tops of our leyees; but this con-
ditIon of affairs can not continue, the
city. of New Orleans will certainly
insist on the stoppage of the Bonnet
Care crevasse as soon as the means
are. at hand. Col. Hardee says the
waters are a great injury to the rear
of the city, and at each period of high
water seriously threaten an overflow.
This improvement properly belongs
to the Federal government, but we
have been seeking redress from that
quarter for so many years with such
little encouragement that it is about
time to try our own Legislature.
There is no use in putting off the evil
day, it is bound to come sooner Or
later, and we may as we'll take time
by the forelock and make a common
and united effort for relief.
The work being done at present
towards cutting through the bars,
must necessarily prove of a temporary
natufe; it will probably suffice for
this low water, but the same work
will have to be repeated each year of
low water, and probably with an in
creased number of shoal places.
There are some persons who wish
the bayou locked or closed at its head,
and our supineness in this matter will
furnish them with tine strongest pos
sible argument in favor of closing it,
and force US to resort to a railroad for
relief. Our section is great pro-
Queer and pays large amount of
taxes into the State treasury this
should be potent argument in behalf
of our application, and it is the
bounden duty of the Legislature to
take care of its constituents in emer-
gencies in which they can not help
themselves.