The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-05-06
crown of the levee. All Of these breaches
have been closed.

crown of the levee. All Of these breaches
have been closed.
With the exception Of about three
stretches, aggregating about miles in
length, the location of the line appears
fairly good, sufficiently so to justify its
improvement in grade and section.
Along one OF these stretches, in Sley's
Bend, the river bank has already caved
to within 80 feet of the base of the levee,
the latter practically crossing the head
OF chain of lakes extending generally
down stream for quite distance.
The life OF the controlling levee at this
point is OF very short duration. In fact,
a breach through the levee there may
occur at almost any time.
That part of the line of leyee con-
structed before the high water of 1908
appears generally to have had fairly
good cross-section, but the grade was at
no time such as it should properly have
been.
The grade OF the new work across the
breaches that occurred during the high
water of 1908, above Postum Bayou, ap-
pears somewhat higher than that pre-
scribed for the original work, but in the
light OF the experience of last year, is
still materially deficient, while the cross
section is nowhere sufficient to insure
safety.
At and below Postum Bayou the new
work, across the washouts, is fully foot
lower than the water-marks observable
on the trees along the line, while the
extension of this year, down to the State
line, as it approaches the latter point
n ir1in nj in, -
much as 211s feet below the water-marks
observable on the trees. The cross
section OF all of this is also too scant for
safety. In connection with the question
OF grade, however, it is but just to state
that the high water of 1908, at the upper
end of the district, was probably as much
as 3 feet higher than any of previous
date, and at the lower end as much as
~ feet higher.
Among other things to which excep-
ton must properly be made is the fact
that earth has generally been taken from
both the river and land sides of the
levee, with very narrow bermes, further
impairing, on account of the pits on the
land side of the line, the character OF
the work, to a greater or less extent,
dependent upon their proximity, and in
creasing the cost of raising and enlarg-
ing the line on account of their prox-
unity on the river side.
1t is understood by US that the district
| is without immediate means to in any
way improve this line of levee.
This appears to us unfortunate, for, all
things considered, we regard the work
so far performed by the district as a
good foundation for system promising
with the proper improvement, the pro-
| lection from overflow of a considerable
area of valuable property.
AS matters now stand, however, we
cannot advise you that the situation is
yet ripe for your district to proceed with
the construction of the line of levee con-
templated by it. On the contrary, we
believe your proper policy is to still
await further developments.
We cannot we'll conclude this report
without expressing our appreciation OF
the courtesy shown us by Mr.. Alec
Stewart, President of the Board of Com
missioners of the Long Prairie Levee
District, who kindly extended to us the
!, hospitality of his home, furnished us
with horses, accompanied us on our trip
over the line of levee, and supplied us
with much valuable information.
Respectfully,
FRANK M. KERR,
Chief State Engineer.
GERvAIS LOMBARD,
Assistant State Engineer.
New Orleans, La, April 8, 1909.
| On motion, the report was received
with thanks, and the suggestion Of Mr.
Sentell that we follow the advice of the
Board of Engineers and "await further
. Developments"
On motion, we adjourn until our July
meeting. N. w. SENTELI, President.
E. D. BURGESS, Secretary.