Amite River Basin proposal a costly plan of old and new ideas
- ARBC
- May 26
- 2 min read
The Amite River Basin Commission recently outlined 13 major projects in its first master plan. Of the costs estimated, the plan could reach more than $3.8 billion.
Top priority projects
Bayou Manchac improvements: Cost $29.9 million, funded, dredging of Alligator Bayou and Bayou Manchac, realignment of Ward Creek, replacing Perkins Road bridge.
Lower Amite sediment removal: $80 million, only lower portion funded from La. 22 to Lake Maurepas. Counteracts impact of diversion canal weir repairs (below).
New river pumps: $109 million, first $61 million phase funded, pump system to send high water in Spanish Lake to Mississippi River.
West Shore Levee connector: $104 million, partially funded, extension of big federal hurricane protection levee system now under construction into St. James Parish.
Long-term regional project
Upper Amite River reservoir: $500 million to $2 billion, unfunded. A big dam with a lake somewhere in East Feliciana and St. Helena parishes or partially in Mississippi. Earlier version proposed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was a dry reservoir.
Additional projects
Amite River Diversion Canal Weir rehabilitation: $69 million, funded. Reconstruction and improvement of weir that partially diverts Amite River into Diversion Canal in Livingston and Ascension parishes.
Upper Amite River Flood Risk Reduction: $500 million to $1 billion, about $67 million funded. Proposal to restore curves in upper Amite River through St. Helena and East Feliciana and northern East Baton Rouge parishes to slow flow of floodwater south, reduce sediment flow.
Sorrento storm surge: $150 million, mostly unfunded except for design. A new levee-and-pump system on the fringes of Sorrento area in Ascension Parish to block storm-driven high water from Lake Maurepas.
Bayou Manchac Floodgates at Kendalwood Conservation Area: $80 million, unfunded, conceptual. A new floodwall with a gate the bayou to block backwater from the Amite River.
Bayou Manchac Floodplain Preservation: $43 million, unfunded. Purchase of development rights on 4,265 acres of swamp east of Burbank soccer fields between Bayou Fountain and Bayou Manchac.
La. 22 Gapping Project: Nearly $49 million, funded. Construction of channels under La. 22 in southeastern Ascension Parish to allow floodwater from the Amite River to more quickly pass into Lake Maurepas. Counterbalances flooding impact on Livingston Parish of Ascension levee extension.
Marvin J. Braud Pumping Station and levee upgrades: $57 million, funded. Protection of critical Ascension Parish pump station from flooding, raising of levees that protect the lower areas in station's drainage zone.
Willow Glen Pump Station: $50 million, unfunded. Repurposing of decommissioned cooling water pump station for old Willow Glen power plant near St. Gabriel into pump station to send floodwater from Bayou Manchac and Spanish Lake to the Mississippi River.
David J. Mitchell can be reached at dmitchell@theadvocate.com.
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