Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-03-14
Presidents Report.

TALLULAH, La, March 18th, 1913
To the President and Members OF the
Board of Commissioners for the Fifth
Louisiana Levee District, Tallulah,
louisiana:
GENTLEMEN-There has been rapid
fall in the river since the date OF last
meeting and river is now in its banks.
The duration of extreme height of water
was short and the step was inconsiderable, !
but there were several localities which
even with short water, showed that they
should have attention as soon as possible,
notably
Elten Slough Just above Lake Provi- /
dence, Salem new levee and Kempe.
White Oak Lake is under contract for
sheet piling; with all engagements
finished which are under contract, de-
mands for raising and enlargement will
be materially reduced. Some of the
forces have begun work, enlarging, and
if there is another rise, all existing con-
tracts should be finished in 1913. The
River Commission will have funds avail
able earlier this year and will probably
make allotments during April. This will
allow work to be begun several months
earlier than usual and much more can
be accomplished.
From my experience and intimate
knowledge of the levees in the District,
ask the indulgence Of the Board to sub
NIT the following views and suggestions.
The work to be cared for in their order
OF importance are:
First: The closing of openings and
threatened openings, whether by crevass-
ing or caving.
Second: The remedying of defects
which are developed by high water (the
best detector of them whether in the
levee itself or in the foundation. There
is more danger IN sloughs and under
mining than in overlapping.
Third: The section and grade all sand
levees fifteen (15) feet high and over
should have four and four to one slopes.
Fourth: Gazing banks should be pro-
tected, every move back necessitates
larger and higher levee. The location Is
on lower ground, and every change in
alignment of the bank, causes some
J change in the channel. Besides, new
, levees cause loss of property.
The ideal levee and one which the
, United States, State and levee authorities
: : should adopt is:
. Absolutely permanent foundation, t.
be determined by borings and four and
= four to one slopes, twelve foot crown anC
q five feet above the record high water.
: Needs Of Levees.
e EAST CARROLL PARISH.
Station 256 to ISL. Pitchers Point +
g Postum Point has sufficient height unde
> present levee grade but is very defcien
o in section.
/. Short stretch at Cottonwood, just be
1t low Convict's Loop is very close to bank
e but has probable life to justify enlarge
Ia ment. From Cottonwood new loop {
le Donna Vista should be enlarged an
re raised.
Longwood to Elton's station, 1l9O
u 1884, should be raised and enlarged.
l. Elton Slough, just above Lake Prov
le dence, should be thoroughly examine
1, and remedied.
8: Stations 1886 to 1885, Otter Bayou
y, Point Lookout, has sufficient grade 81
is deficient in section. Other levees
ne East Carroll are either under contra'
at for enlargement or have been enlarge
OF recently.
The whole stretch from Holly Brook
" Henderson should have extra attention
~ remedying defects of foundation, san
~ boils, leaks and steps.
Holly Brook and Alsstia to lower en-
~ of Willow Point Loop should have a sy
Ill tenn of drainage inaugurated.
The new Salem Loop should have
81 four to one slope ON river side and fall
he bernie or banquette on land side its fu
of length and pits should be filed. Tn
Is loop should have extraordinary preca'
" tionary measures taken with it. The vi
he ter comes against it at stage 26.4at Wick
es burg, consequently it has water again
n it for a very much longer time than ar
- other levee in the District and 30 mar
he crevasses have occurred in this localit,
he foundation is deposit Of sand.
sh All the crevasses in the District for
years except one in 1897 at Bigg, and
a. was an overlapping from abnormal
-. high water caused by return from Il
Yazoo Delta, have occurred between Lal
Providence and Henderson.
Therefore il behooves the levee autho
- tiles to put this stretch in best possih
H condition and to give it closest care at I
= times.
ls, MADISON PARISH
= Villa Vista-Mascot Stations, 2S60
: 1856, should be drained. Milliken's Ben
=. upper bend, to Cabin Teele Loop shou
- be raised and enlarged A new levee W
be needed, continuing Cabin Teele Loo
. South, too soon to justify enlarging
this deficient stretch.
- Duckport To Killearney should be 81