The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-09-09
THE ATCHAFALAYA AND THE MIS-.
SlSSlPPl.

The Democrats article on the threat
cncd danger of the Mississippi river
ultimately going down the Atchafalaya
bayou to the gulf unless the processes
now at work ut the mouth of Red river
were checked have attracted atten-
tention, both in the borders of this
State and elsewhere, and, as was to
have been expected, have elected warm
discussion and the expression of very
conflicting views.
Let it be understood ut the outset
that the Democrat has no pct theory to
advance, and has only one object in
view-to ascertain and publish the
exact truth in regard to this most i'm
portant matter in tho interest of tho
people of tho Red and Ouachita valleys
and of this city.
If minute and thorough investigation
of the subject in all its bearings cstab-
lishcs tho fact that there is really no
danger to be apprchendcd, and that
old channel, then certainly no. harm
will have been done, and we may be
content to witness with complaccncy
the annual efforts of the engineers to
maintain navigable channel at the
mouth of Red river, in the face of
serious and increasing complications.
But if, ON the CONTRARY, it be clearly
proved that there is danger of the Mis-
sissippi being wholly or in large part
DETECTED into the Atchafalaya, then it
must be conceded that it was wise to
mako tho investigation, in order that
steps to avert the disaster that would
inevitably follow might be taken in
time. We will not stop here to discuss
the fanciful theory advanced by tho
Times of this city that even if tho Mis-
sissippi should go down the Atcha-
falaya it would make but little differe-
ncc to Now Orleans, rs the gulf water
would take tho place of the river water
and We would still have deep and safe
navigation; for while it is true that
under those conditions there would be
Il depth of about 15 feet of salt water at
the mouth of Red river, it is also true
that the very conditions that the
jetties Wcrc built to overcome would
then be transferred to the mouth of
Red river, and tho result would be
either more and pcrpetually extend
ing jettics, or looks, which would
hardly be equal to the accommodation
of the commerce Of the entire Mis-
sissippi valley.
No, it is plain that if there be really
danger of any such catastrophe it must
be met and counteracted as soon as
pCSSlOAS3 AOC bO l'SAAI1llSA tSA
ment year after year nntil much time
and great expenditure will be required
to avert it. 10 close our eyes and fold
our arms listlcssly until the danger
eliminates into disaster would be
criminal folly.
Capt. Boardnan, of the steamer
Alexandria, in q letter to the Demo-
crat printed yesterday, says hc has
been 4 pilot and captain on Red river
for 80 years and does not believe there
is any danger of the Mississippi going
down the Atchafalaya, but on the con-
trary thinks that if no artificial means
were used the mouth of Red river
would be closed up by the natural
action of the river. The bar that an
nually forms ut the mouth of the Red
convinccs him there is no danger to bc
apprchcndcd.
"My experience" hc says, "is that
whenever the Mississippi river seeks a
now channel man cannot stop it, and
in my Judgment tho Mississippi is
showing no inclination to go by the
way of the Atchafalaya, but on the
contrary, intends to close that river,
and will, if let alone"
Capt. Dick Sinnott, of tho steamer
Jesse X. Belle, in 4 letter to Picayunc
yesterday, replying to Major Benyaurd's
statement made to Gen. Wright,
says:
The whole country knew the threat
cncd danger to Red river and the Mis-
sissippi. Major Benyaurd knows the
danger. lilo knows that the Red river
is now practically absorbed by the
Atchafalaya. lie knows that there is
now the utmost danger that the Mis-
sissippi river will change its bed, and
passing into the present mouth OF Red
river will pour its volume of water
into the Atchafalaya and leave New
Orleans on tho banks of a dead lako,
and make for itself q new union with
the gulf through the bay of Atcha-
falaya, 100 miles west of Now Orleans.
He knows that there is speedy and
alarming danger Of this tremendous
calamity. lie knows that that dircful
event all the labor and money cNpcnd-
cd on the jct:ics would be lost; that tho
500 900, 900 of rcalc state in Now Orleans
would become of no value that the
vast commerce of the West and Sonth
would receive Il fatal blow, and yet
knowing this, with the danger before
him and the whole subject SPECIALLY
committed to his care he has done
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