1112 miles 152° true (SE. % S. mag.) from Sabine Pass entrance. The light is flashing white, 72 feet (22 m) above the water, and visible 14 miles. To the southward of Sabine Bank, and about 6 miles inside of the 10-fathom (18 m) curve, the bottom is somewhat irregular and broken, and several spots with depths of 35 feet (10.6 m) or less are found with surrounding depths 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 m) greater. A 26-foot (7.9 m) spot lies 12.2 miles 143° true from Sabine Bank Lighthouse. This is the least depth found on a ridge extending out from Sabine Bank. There are two shoal spots of 31 feet (9.5 m) each about 1,000 yards 106° true and 1,800 yards 287° true, respectively, from the 26-foot shoal with deeper water between the three shoals. A 31- foot (9.4 m) spot lies about 7.3 miles 105° true from the 26-foot spot. These shoals lie in the direct track of vessels making the passage through Sabine Bank from the southeastward. Northward of Sabine Bank the general depths are from 36 to 40 feet (11 to 12.2 m). 28. INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY, NEW ORLEANS TO PORT ARTHUR For information pertaining to the Intracoastal Waterway eastward of New Orleans see page 211, and westward of Port Arthur see page 285. In southern Louisiana west of the Mississippi River there is an extensive network of shallow inland waters, which lie within the region of alluvial deposit by the river and consist of vast stretches of marsh, containing numerous areas of cypress swamps varying in size from small patches to tracts several miles in extent, and also many lakes, some up to 30 miles in length. These inland waters are intersected by navigable waterways, termed bayous, having a general north and south direction, with a well-defined current toward the Gulf of Mexico after a heavy rainfall, but for the greater part of the time with only a very sluggish current, which may often be reversed by a change in direction of the wind. The highest land is found immediately adjacent to the bayous in the form of natural levees; as a rule, the larger the bayou the higher its levee. In the western part of the section narrow "islands" or "ridges" rise to heights of 4 to 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4 m) above the surrounding marsh; some of these ridges are 6 to 7 miles in length. The extraordinary high "islands" ranging in elevation from 70 to 200 feet (21.3 to 61.0 m), near the central part of the Louisiana coast, have been described on page 2. The depth of water in the bayous is nearly always sufficient for navigation by river craft and not infrequently is as great as 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 m) for miles in succession. The lakes, on the contrary, are generally shallow, having depths of possibly 4 to 10 feet (1.2 to 3.0 m), with soft mud or ooze bottom. The shores are marshy, being a few inches above the surface of the lakes at low water and subject to overflow during high water. The land high enough to admit of cultivation, as well as that which lies within the limits of some project of artificial drainage, is extremely fertile and intensively cultivated; sugar, rice, and vegetables being the principal crops. The waters of the lower portion of this section in the vicinity of the (28) NEW ORLEANS TO LOCKPORT 259 Gulf abound with oysters, shrimp, and fish. For the most part the towns and villages are located on the high ground along the bayous, but small settlements are to be found in other advantageous locations. There is a large traffic on these waterways in fish, oysters, logs, lumber, rice, sugarcane, fertilizer, vegetables, and general merchandise. The Intracoastal Waterway forms a connecting link between these bayous and affords an outlet for their products to the markets in New Orleans and other cities. There is now a continuous inside route of 9 feet (2.7 m) controlling depth between New Orleans and Port Arthur. Between the Mississippi River and Morgan City (Atchafalaya River), there are two routes; one is known as the lower route via the Harvey Canal near New Orleans and the other is the alternate route via the Plaquemine Waterway. The route via the Harvey Canal to Morgan City and thence to Port Arthur has a controlling depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) and a general bottom width of channel of 100 feet. There are no fixed bridges. The limiting horizontal clearance for drawbridges is 68 feet. The lock at Harvey is 425 feet long by 75 feet wide and the Vermilion lock is 1,182 feet long by 56 feet wide. This route is marked by beacons and sign boards, indicating directions at bayou intersections, names of cross bayous, approach to locks, bridges, etc. Mile posts (statute miles) are placed at 5-mile intervals, mile 0 being at Harvey lock. The Plaquemine route also has a controlling depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) and a general bottom width of 100 feet. There is one fixed highway bridge crossing the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City having a vertical clearance of 50 feet (15.2 m). The limiting horizontal clearance for drawbridges is 108 feet. The Plaquemine lock is 260 feet long by 55 feet wide. The entire waterway is under the control of the Federal Government and is free of tolls. Regular freight service is maintained between New Orleans and Barataria Bay and Bayou Teche and to the westward as far as Port Arthur and Houston. Pilots for the eastern part of this section may be had at Harvey, La. For other sections they may be found at the larger towns and settlements. Small-scale maps giving the general location and other information regarding the Intracoastal Waterway may be obtained from the United States Engineer Office, First New Orleans District, 604 Union Building, New Orleans, La. The price is 25 cents each. A pamphlet giving the status of the waterway as far as the Sabine River may also be obtained here. A pamphlet giving the status of that section of the waterway in Texas may be obtained from the United States Engineer Office, Trust Co. Building, Galveston, Texas. NEW ORLEANS TO LOCKPORT The Harvey Canal route of the Intracoastal Waterway commences at Harvey, on the southwest bank of the Mississippi River opposite New Orleans with which it has regular ferry connections. The entrance is through Harvey Canal No. 1 extending southward for 5 miles to Bayou Barataria. The Harvey lock at the Mississippi River end of the canal is 425 feet long, 75 feet wide and 12 feet (3.7 m) deep at low water. A railroad and a highway bridge cross the canal just inside of the lock. Both are bascule type with a horizontal clearance of 75 feet and a vertical clearance of 11 feet (3.4 m). Just south of the locks, there are a number of wharves and good facilities for securing motor fuels and fresh water. Provisions and supplies can be secured at Harvey or from New Orleans. About a mile inside the lock and on the west bank of the canal, there is a shipyard, capable of hauling and repairing vessels of 200 tons or under up to 140 feet long and 6 foot (1.8 m) draft. South of Harvey Canal No. 1, the waterway follows Bayou Barataria for 9 miles and its branch Bayou Villars for about 1 mile into a 13mile land cut leading to Harvey Canal No. 2. This cut passes about the south side of Lake Salvador and joins Harvey Canal No. 2, 5 miles from Larose on Bayou Lafourche. From Larose to Lockport, the waterway follows Bayou Lafourche. Bayou Barataria is not navigable above its junction with Harvey Canal No. 1 where it is obstructed by a pumping station. Southward, a depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) can be carried to Bayou Villars and 5 feet (1.5 m) thence through Little Bayou Barataria and Bayou Dupont into Dupre Cut leading to Barataria Bay. See page 240, for Barataria Bay. At Lafitte, 14 miles below the Harvey Canal, the bayou divides and forms Bayou Rigolettes and Bayou Dupont. Bayou Rigolettes was a former route to Barataria Bay but is now shallow. Two miles below Lafitte, Dupre Cut branches to the southward from Bayou Dupont. Beyond this point, Bayou Dupont is shallow. Supplies can be secured and small boats (up to about 50 feet) hauled and repaired at Crown Point, 5 miles below Harvey Canal, at Barataria at the junction of Bayou Barataria and Bayou Villars and also at Lafitte. There is a shrimp cannery, an ice factory, and a large general store at Lafitte and gasoline can be secured here. An improved highway extends from Harvey to Lafitte. There are post offices at Barataria and Lafitte. Lake Salvador has depths of 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2.1 m). A depth of about 5 feet (1.5 m) can be carried into the lake from either Bayou Villars or Harvey Canal No. 2, or from Bayou Segnette, the former Company Canal from Westwego on the Mississippi River. This same depth can be carried from the lake into Bayou Des Allemands and thence across Lake Des Allemands and up Bayou Chevreuil and Grand Bayou. This area is given over to the growth of sugarcane. The lake entrances are marked by lights. Four miles west of Bayou Villars, the Intracoastal Waterway crosses Bayou Pero connecting Lake Salvador and Little Lake. Depth and connecting routes from Bayou Lafourche have been described on page 243. The banks of the bayou are thickly settled throughout the greater part of its length. Golden Meadow, 16 miles below Larose, is the principal fishing settlement. There are several shrimp canneries and ice houses here, also numerous stores and a hotel. Gasoline and water can be secured at the landings. Larose, Lockport, and Thibodaux, 19 miles above Lockport, are principally agricultural towns; provisions and some supplies including gasoline and water can be secured. The usual fishing boats can be hauled and minor repairs made at Golden Meadow and at several ways along the bayou. The principal repair yard is at Lockport where most craft navi (28) LOCKPORT TO HOUMA 261 gating the waterway can be hauled and repaired. Lockport has railroad connection to New Orleans. There are numerous drawbridges of ample clearance across the bayou. Directions. Coming from the Mississippi River, pass through the lock and drawbridges at Harvey and continue through the canal for 5 miles. At the south end of the canal, turn westward into Bayou Barataria and follow mid-channel courses through this bayou for 9 miles. There are several cut-offs to straighten the channel; these are easily recognized. A highway swing bridge with 75 feet horizontal clearance and 10 feet (3.0 m) vertical clearance crosses the bayou between Crown Point and Barataria and there is an automobile ferry (cable) at Barataria. At Barataria village, turn westward into Bayou Villars and a short distance beyond turn south into a 13-mile land cut. At the end of this land cut, turn south into Harvey Canal No. 2. All these turns are marked by beacons. Five miles further, at Larose, the waterway turns north into Bayou Lafourche for 10 miles and at Lockport turns west into an improved section of the old Company Canal. These turns are also marked by beacons. Two highway pontoon bridges cross the Intracoastal Waterway at Larose, one just before entering Bayou Lafourche and another immediately after entering. A third bridge of this type crosses Bayou Lafourche between Larose and Lockport. The minimum horizontal clearance is 75 feet. There is a highway swing bridge across the bayou at Lockport with a horizontal clearance of 88 feet and a vertical clearance of 20 feet (6.1 m) above high water. LOCKPORT TO HOUMA From Lockport to Houma, the Intracoastal Waterway follows through canal cuts for the entire distance of 12 miles. For 6 miles beyond Lockport, the waterway is an improved section of the old Company Canal. Beyond this point, it turns northwestward into a new cut, the turn being marked by beacons. The old Company Canal continues for about 1 mile to Bourg on Bayou Terrebonne; it is good for about 5 feet (1.5 m). The waterway crosses Bayou Terrebonne just east of Houma. On the north side of the bayou there is a bascule highway bridge crossing the waterway and on the south side a highway pontoon bridge. There is also a highway pontoon bridge crossing the waterway at Lockport just west of Bayou Lafourche. All these bridges have a horizontal clearance of 75 feet. Directions. No further directions are necessary than the above. Houma (population 6,531 by the 1930 census) is the center for the fishing industry about the bayous, lakes, and bays adjacent to Bayou Terrebonne; it is also an agricultural center. It is on the main State highway between New Orleans and Lake Charles and a railroad runs to Schriever on the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad. There are numerous stores, shrimp and oyster canneries, a sugar mill, an ice and cold storage plant, and several hotels. Provisions and general supplies are available. Motor fuels, oil, and water can be secured in town and there is a marine service station on the Intracoastal Waterway just beyond the railroad bridge on the west side of the town. HOUMA TO MORGAN CITY Westward from Houma, the Intracoastal Waterway follows canal cuts for 171⁄2 miles into Lake Wallace, thence through Lake Wallace 312 miles, Cocodrie Bayou 2 miles, Black Bayou 111⁄2 miles, Bayou Chene 2 miles, and Bayou Boeuf 711⁄2 miles to Morgan City. Directions. The waterway crosses Bayou Terrebonne just southeast of Houma. The two bridges at this crossing have been described. One mile beyond Bayou Terrebonne, a railroad bridge crosses the waterway with 91 feet horizontal clearance. This bridge is generally open. Just west of this bridge, Bayou Black branches to the northward and Bayou Lacarpe (see p. 248) leads off the southward. One mile west of the railroad bridge, there is a pontoon highway bridge with 75 feet horizontal clearance. Six miles west of the railroad bridge, the Minor Canal leads to the southward. (See p. 249.) Ten and a half (102) miles farther, the canal cut leads into Lake Wallace. Through Lake Wallace, the channel is marked by lights and beacons along the north side. The lights are flashing red on red triangular structures 25 feet high and the beacons are spaced approximately 1,000 feet apart. The turns into and out of the lake as well as at the successive bayou junctions to the westward are all marked by beacons. From Lake Wallace, the waterway leads through short sections of Bayous Cocodrie (2 miles), Black (11⁄2 miles), Chene (2 miles), and Boeuf (71⁄2 miles) to Morgan City. On Bayou Chene, just east of Bayou Boeuf, the center pier of an old highway bridge is still in place; there is a horizontal clearance of 70 feet. A highway swing bridge with a horizontal clearance of 68 feet crosses the Bayou Boeuf, just east of Bayou Shaffer about one mile east of Morgan City. Morgan City and the Atchafalaya River below Morgan City are described on page 251. Bayou Chene connects the Atchafalaya River at Sweetbay Lake; the southern end of the channel follows short sections of first Bayou Penchant and then Bayou Shaffer before reaching the river. The upper end of Bayou Shaffer leaves the Intracoastal Waterway about 1 mile east of Morgan City. Both of these routes have depths in excess of 9 feet (2.7 m). Bayou Penchant provides a passage for shallow draft boats from Bayou Chene into Lake Decade. Bayou Black was formerly the route of the Intracoastal Waterway westward from Houma. It is little used at present, but a draft of about 5 feet (1.5 m) can be taken through. There are a number of swing bridges with a minimum horizontal clearance of 35 feet. MORGAN CITY TO PLAQUEMINE An alternate route of the Intracoastal Waterway, with an available depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) and bottom width of 100 feet extends northward from Morgan City to the Mississippi River at Plaquemine, a distance of 56 miles. This route follows the Atchafalaya River 2 miles, Flat Lake 3 miles, Bayou Long 7 miles, Belle River 8 miles, Bayou Godelle 5 miles, Bay Natchez 5 miles, Grand River 17 miles, and Bayou Plaquemine 9 miles. The channel through Flat Lake is between timber dykes and marked by three lights. There is little |