The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1878-06-15

and SD below the surface Of Lake Field.
Now if the low water level of Bayou
Laf0urche were constant the direct drain
q of this basin into the Bayou would
be simple and complete. This coulo be CT
fected by a dam acsoss the head OF the
Bayou. to which there Is the fatal objec
ton of the entire destruction OF u vaiua
BILE line of navigation, but it must be re
membered that the navigation OF Bayou
Lafonrche is being certainly steadily and
rapidly destroyed by natural causes. All
agree in anticipating this result although
assigning for it different causes
1t is not however impossible that the
result of careful calculations and surveys
might prove possible which would com
bine the benefits OF both navigation and
drainage. No such careful study has yet
been made, but the following sugges-
lions are submitted as the outline OF the
plan.
If the head of the Bayou is damned,
the water level therein viii be from y
to $50 above mean low tide. II beyond
this. at a point in the Bayou where cult
walton ceases, say twenty or twenty tive
miles below Lockport, a low water dam
he built. of a height or level about halt
way between low water at Lockport
and the surface of Lake Fields, aud il the
communication between Lake Fields and
Bayou Lafonrche be completed. the wa
ter in Lake Fields and Bayou Lafonrche
will assume a level. any surplus escaping
over the dam below Lockport.
AS We have seen the present difference
of level between these two bodies of Wa
ter Bayou LafoUlche at low water and
Lake Eields) is S.l2, this common level
will add about four feet permanently tc
the depth Of water in Bayou Lafourche
making from five to six feet. and the
drainage level of the Lafonrehe and
the Terrebonne valley will be lowered
about four teet. To render this drainage
available. canals or bitches would have
to be opened frorl different parts of the
valley into the Lake or directly into The
valley, this would of course be necessary
with any system.
Iconsider this plan of drainage as of
fering more certain and economical re
suits than any other to the region under
consideration. while its benefits woult
be extended also to the east bank Of TIL,
Bayou. The necessity for levees woult
also be Immediately abolished.
1 1t seems to me that the merits AID d;
b merits of the plan herein outlined ma.
be stated as follows, BY it are secured
LIST. A certain and economical lower
ING of the drainage level. of four feet.
n Ind. Relief from the necessity of bail,
ing levees and The danger of crevasses
3rG. A permanent slack water cana
navigation Of five feet throughout ia
e entire year.
To be compared with these aiyanta
ges is the r~ehandling of all freight Il
the he,d of the Bayou. | think it. howe
) er, probably tlat IL company could b
formed, which for the franchise OF nayi
CATION of the canal, would construc
sucil derricHs, ways or tracks as migts
t he found most advantageous, and pei
Z foru: the Labor oE rehanliing freight a
4 rates regulated by the charter. wlic
woull not b, oppressive to the produce
or the merchant,
1t should be stated that the dam i
the head OF the Bayou slloaid he bui
with a iif.e and valve which would a
low the CANAL III case Of drought ta lie I
plenisled from the river whenever
was four feet or more above low waite
mark.
Il This could also be supplemented by
n pump "a a provision would only have t
\ i,e made to replace the evaporation frol
:, the canal. the periods of extreme lo'
:. water and of extreme droughis are nc
likely to coincide.
S Iencloso a diagram oflevels involve
II in this project ifyou will inform IN
of the Eeyt meeting OF your Board. / wi
endeavor to be present, if.yon desire i
) Very Respectfully
L Il. M. HARROD Chief State Enginee