Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-03-22

running into Bayou BlenVenue, Delo"
the citys This wouldgive abundance OF
water into Lake Borgne and be the near
est and most practicable water route to
Mobile. Either of the above rontes
would possess every advantage over
that of Manchac and not be attended
with one third of the cost. But, say those
who 60 in for depicting the Mississippi,
why have any locks upon the Bayou,
and let us have crevasse which can be
kept from OVERLOOKING the country by
continuous levees on through to the
Amite Does any sensible person sup
pose this can be done without stopping
I'D the streams which drain all the allu-
vial lands in East Baton Rouge, lber-
vile and Ascension on the east side 7
This loss of drainage, even surprising
the water did not 60 over these levees on
the banks of the Bayou in high water,
would render the country as valueless
as before closing the Bayou, as the
mouth of the Bayou would be about loO
feet wide by II or Is deep, does any one
suppose it could be of any value as de-
pleting outlet, when, besides, the di-
mansions of the Bayou 8 miles down is
about half that at the month! So levee
it as they may, it'would inevitably over
flow it's banks and drown out the ada
cent country.
Connecting the Mississippi with the
Lakes, this geographical Importance is
well calculated to delude the friends OF
the canal idea, especially when sustain
ed by those who expect to handle the
appropriations, that the United States
should be called upon to make this
ordnd outlet of the Mississippi ma
tjonal work and available for naviga-
ton. The folly of this scheme will be
demonstrated as soon as investigated
Should the West desire a more direct
communication with our Alabama
friends than by New Orleans, let
me suggest a rail road from here to Mo
bile. which would not be half as long az
by the water route, it would intersect the
New Orleans and Jackson route ant
thus open direct communication with
the South, East and lake shore, develop
asfne! country, bring our great tim
Der country into practical working, con
tributing in the course Of time to make
Baton Rouge what it was designed tt
be great, commercial, high land city.
REvERDY,
MOBILE, Ala, Dec. II, 1912.
COLoNEL-I have the honor to submi
the following report Of my examination
Of Bayou Manchac: The resolution o
the Senate of the United State requirin!
the examination appears to hav'
reference Onl to the obstruction at tn,
head of Bayou Manchac, on the Mississ
ippi, about fourteen miles below Batol
Rouge. 1t consists of dam of eartl
in continuation of the levee on the banl
. of the river, wide enough for carriag
way for which purpose it is used. Tn
bed of the bayou between the dam ant
the river, distance of about one hund
red yards, has been filled up to within
FIVE or six feet Of the banks by deposit
made during high water il the Miss
issippi.
The Legislature of Louisiana passe,
an act in March, 1926, authorizing the in
habitants of the adjacent parishes tt
close the bayou. The funds for the pur
pose were raised by subscription. Tb
sole object contemplated by the Legisla
ture in granting the authority was, if
am correctly informed, toprotect agains
: overflow valuable lands on the bayou
and the back lands of river plantations
which were inundated when the Miss
issippi reached a high stage Of water
,Ehe cost of removing the obstruction il
question would not exceed fifty dollars
A narrow trench cut through the de
9 post outside of the dam, and an open
; ing at high water in the dam itself
b would be sufficient to cause its remOva
effectually.
$ The resolution of the Senate conclude
/ with the following words, viz: San
: reopening said bayou for navigation,
T from which it might be inferred that
c had been customary to pass through
t to and from the Mississippi river.
5 cannot learn that this has been the cas-
e except in a few instances during tn
= occupation of Louisiana by Spain. an
: during the embargo, when small boat
: assembled to the river. twill be pc
: ceived, from d brief description, tina
4 the dam at the head Of the bayou is nc
70 +bn npl ~ nl,a+Yr,r ion tn .rpyi uotin an