Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1922-04-28
THE CREVASSE

in the Fifth Levee District of Louis
lana occurred on Thursday evening,
about 4:30 o'clock, at "Weecama"
plantation, in Concordia parish, near
ly four miles north of Ferriday. The
levee went out suddenly, and when
least expected, guards having gone
over it scarcely an hour before, when
to all appearance it seemed sound
and strong The break rapidly widen
ed and torrent, said to be twelve
feet deep, poured through the open
ing with a roar Of artillery. Cabins
and small buildings in the path of
the break were swept from their
foundations and what poultry and
live stock that had not been removed
from the threatened area before the
crevasse occurred were probably lost.
Happily no life was lost.
This break came as an awful dis
appointment to our people, as we
had hoped to maintain an unbroken
line Of levee along the entire Fifth
District. But the fact that this is the
only break thus far obtained, in face
OF the highest water on record, after
weeks of battle, speaks volumes for
+ the levee system. The Concordia
break, however, will mean the inun-
dation of practically that entire par
ish and may cause some of the low
lands Of Tensas to 60 under. Just
how much water We will get from
this crevasse is entirely speculative.
Some fear it may enter Waterproof
and overflow the back country; 9TH
ers, more optimistic, believe only tAe
sloughs and bayous and very low
places Will be reached. The break is
probably mile wide and the river is
pouring through with velocity i'm
possible to check. The question to
our mind is: Can the streams below
hold the water from this break and
carry it back into the river, further
down, as fast as the crevasse lets
1t in? AS we understand those streams
were already swollen and can accom-
modate but little of this excess
which looks like a big territory will
necessarily be covered. How far that
territory will extend is only problem
atical. We still hope that but little
OF Tensas will be effected.
Almost Immediately after occur
ence OF the break its effect was felt
Tor some miles above and by next
day a slight decline as far up as
lone Ievee, was noted, increasing
proportionately as the crevasse was
approached. The fall has continued
until it has reached respectable pro-
portions despite the rise that has been
our due. The highest stage reached
at Vicksburg, when the break &C.
CURED, was 54.8. The reading there
would now be several inches higher
II this drop had not occurred, caused
by this break. Some rise has been
noted, as the gauge is now IS feet.
highest ever attained.
Work is being pushed on Botany
Bay and lone, the two most vulner-
able points along the Tensas front.
The former has been greatly
strengthened, and while no levee is
safe until the water goes down, we
feel very much encouraged about
holding this levee. lone has been the
weak link in the chain and no ef-
fort has been spared to hold that
embankment. 1t is not a large levee
and was built away back in the SOS,
when such a water as we had this
year was undreamt Of, and conse-
quently not anticipated. The fact
that it has been held has truly been
phenomenal and reflects magnifi-
Gently upon the men behind the
breastworks. If it can be held until
the water goes down those who did
1t will have done something to be
proud Of. Kempe has given maybe
couple Of scares, but the Kempe
OF to-day is not the Kempe of long
ago. The embankment we have down
there new is built for present day
needs, and with Lake st. Peter Drain
age canal at its base, to take care
OF all seepage water, we have moth
ing to fear, careful guarding is all
needed, and that is what every foot
OF levee is now getting. The beats
have been shortened and the guards
increased along the entire line. Every
thing humanity possible is being done
to avert the impending disaster, and,
as stated last week, if the Lord will
only give us good weather we. will
win the fight. Let US pray for it.
At last reports from Waterproof
water had entered the bitches and low
lands about the depot and was cross
ing Texas road and the belief was
entertained by even the most opti-
mistic that the town will be over
flowed, possibly deeper than in 1913,
while all the back country will be
covered, all hope for a cotton crop
in the afflicted section being aban-
doned, as the lands will hardly be
sufficiently dry for planting before
June. A feeling of gloom naturally
pervades the atmosphere.
Ferriday it is understood has about