As a result of the Mississippi River flood of 2011, the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City crested on May 30, 2011. The Atchafalaya River flood waters were a result of Mississippi River floodwaters being diverted into the Atchafalaya River at the Old River Control Complex north east of Simmesport, Louisiana and into the Atchafalaya Basin by the Morganza Spillway east of Melville, Louisiana. Please read on for images and the full report
Update and Ground Patrol for Louisiana Environmental Action Network and Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper
by Wilma Subra
May 15, 2011
The Atchafalaya River receives 30% of the flow from the Mississippi River via the Old River Control Complex northeast of Simmesport, Louisiana. Due to the flooding conditions along the Mississippi River due to excessive rainfall in the middle Mississippi River valley, the Atchafalaya River has received an increase in flow from the Mississippi River. The Atchafalaya River has been in excess of flood stage and experiencing flooding conditions from the Old River Control Complex southward to Morgan City, Louisiana.
On Monday May 9, 2011 Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper went on a patrol of the Mississippi River in light of the rising flood waters. We drove the river areas in East Baton Rouge Parish, West Feliciana and Point Coupee Parishes and conducted an on-the-water patrol from the New Roads Ferry Landing to Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge and back. The area around the Mississippi River in Point Coupee and West Feliciana parishes is by far the largest area in Louisiana that is still part of the historic Mississippi River flood plane and is subject to regular flooding by the Mississippi River. The city of St. Francisville is already experiencing flooding in it's lowest areas and the ferry connecting it to New Roads has been shut down. In fact most Mississippi River access has been closed off and law enforcement is keeping everyone away from the levees. We did manage to launch at the New Roads ferry landing but that may not be open much longer. As we were pulling the boat out two humvees with National Guard troops showed up with a Point Coupee Sheriff SUV and looked like they were getting ready to set up camp. Once you get on the river up where there are no levees it is clear that this is her natural state. The forests is a lush green and the fish and birds are loving it. We saw countless birds and heard many times more and the fish were churning the waters in the flooded forests. The crawfishermen will be happy next season. However, while nature revels in the fresh life-giving waters we must face the reality that there are serious potential dangers for the human communities that live along the Mississippi River. We hope for the best but prepare for the worst. We have collected the following information and about the flood event for your consideration:
