Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-03-26

the river water into La-Espegnol, over
flowing lands almost to New River.
The same lands are now drained by
it into Manchac. About q mile below
Bayou Crocodile enters Bayou Fontaine
from the north. After receiving the
latter, Bayou Manchac becomes thirty
yards wide, and from seven to ten feet
deep. From Bayou Fontaine to the con-
flnence Of Manchac and the Amite River
q distance Of ten or twelve miles, there
is much fallen timber in the stream, and
many hanging trees on the banks. This
is the only navigable part of the Bayou
Manchac. 1t may be cleaned out and
made practicable for schooners at q cost
of six thousand dollars In this esti
mate is included the removal of timber
from the banks tor space of forty feet
in breadth.
In February, 1885, the Legislature of
Louisiana passed an act to inquire into
the expediency deepening at the former
mouth or any other point an outlet from
the Mississippi into Bayou Manchac. l
have not been able to procure the report
on the subject, but it may be supposed
that it was found to be inexpedient, as
the bayou remained closed. While it
continues so it serves, with Bayou Fon-
tame and Crocodile, to drain extensive
tracts of sugar land, which can be
brought under cultivation without the
necessity of making leyees.
If the Mississippi water were admitted
freely into Bayou Manchac, the lands on
those bayous would greatly depreclate in
value, and the most serious injury to the
plantations Oh the river south of Manchac
would ensue. The navigation would be
of no public utility if all the trees, logs,
and slumps were cleared ont. No boat
of any description now used on the Mis-
sissippi could pass through the upper
portion of it, fit possessed the requi-
site breadth, the impetuosity of the cur
rent would present sufficient objection.
That it would be vastly more rapid than
the current of theriver as will be seen on
inspection of the distances to tide water
by the river and the bayou. The bed of
the bayou at it's head being fifteen feet
above low water mark in the river, no
water would enter it during several
months Of the year.
TO reopen the bayou would inhict Sc
rious injury upon the inhabitants resi-
ding near it, perhaps occasion contro-
versy between the General Government
and the State Of Louisiana and yet be
productive of no advantage to the pub
lie that ! can perceive. would, there
fore, respectfully recommend that tue
obstruction at the former entrance from
the Mississippi into Bayou Manchac ID
not removed.
The cost of re-opening and cleaning
out the bayou from the Mississippi to
the Amite river would amount to thir-
teen thousand dollars.
I have the honor to be, sir, very re-
spcctfully, your obedient servant.
T.B. LINNARD,
Captain Typographical Engineers.
COLONEL j. J. ALBERT,
Corps Typographical Engineers,
Washington City.
Of the Rayou Man.
chac Project.
Mr.. r. Z. McMath communicates the
following to the st. Lonis Democrat Of
the goth ult:
As. in the discussion of the project of
opening Bayou Manchac, no considera-
tons bearing on the engineering branch
of the subject have been presented that
seem to be based upon reliable informa-
ton, | suppose that few facts and fig
ures will not be amiss.
Great as may be the commercial adj
vantages which may be expected from
the project, it's actual accomplishment
depends upon the result of surveys and
Investigations; if We may anticipate
a favorable result to such surveys, they
should be made; but if we have infor-
nation within our reach that shows the
scheme to be impracticable to survey
would be waste of time and money.
As local interests are deeply involved
in this project, statements coming from
sources likely to be influenced by such
considerations are not to be received
without question. Fortunately, that
which / offer comes from witnesses who
cannot be impeached, and as | name my
authority, any one interested may de-
termine for himself the faithfnlness of