Avoyelles and the Old River Control Project

Today we explored Avoyelles Parish and on to the Old River Control Project where the Mississippi River and Red River come dangerously close to each other.
We visited the towns of Marksville, Simmesport, Mansura, and numerous others.  I now understand why those who live in Avoyelles Parish sometimes refer to it as the "great state of Avoyelles".

I have much passion about the Old River Control Project, as I have a concern that it may someday fail and the Mississippi River will change course and join the Atchafalaya River.  This would result in the Mississippi no longer being navigable and Baton Rouge and New Orleans and all the chemical plants between that rely on the river would lose much of their source of water.

When we arrived at the Old River Control Project, we met two fisherman, Larry Fontenot and Jacob Chelette, at the Old River Control Auxiliary Structure.  Larry shared numerous stories and history about the area and about the Louisiana Purchase relative to this area. It was a great introduction to this special place.

Watch Larry's stories:

• Old River Control
• Louisiana

Jacob and Larry at Old River

Link to topo map