ARBC approves historic Bayou Manchac Partnership

10/15/2025 by Pelican Post

Amite River Basin Commission (ARBC) unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the historic partnership among Ascension, East Baton Rouge and Iberville Parishes, and the City of St. George, to implement major flood control measures on Bayou Manchac.

“The importance of this partnership can’t be overstated,” said ARBC President & Iberville Commissioner John Clark. “Bayou Manchac Restoration is a top priority in the Capital Region, and the Amite River Basin Commission is where parishes and municipalities come to collaborate on our most important flood challenges.”

“Clearly, a team effort will help make Bayou Manchac Restoration a success,” said Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment. This project, the LA-22 Gapping Project, our New River Pump project, and countless other drainage improvements in Ascension Parish will significantly improve flood protection in the Lower Amite Basin.”

“The parishes came together a few years ago to clear out Bayou Manchac debris, and now we welcome St. George to the team,” said East Baton Rouge City-Parish Transportation & Drainage Director Fred Raiford. The Comite Diversion Canal plus the Five Bayous project, and the numerous improvements in the Thrive Plan amount to nearly $1.3 billion in flood protection just in East Baton Rouge Parish.

The ARBC authorized Resolution 1194 to add the City of St. George to the three-parish $30,000,000 Bayou Manchac Restoration and Ward Creek Realignment Project Intergovernmental Agreement. The project will restore natural channel features and realign the confluence of Ward Creek into Bayou Manchac to improve drainage in this major urban watershed in the Amite River Basin.

18 miles of Bayou Manchac indicated in dotted blue line

Bayou Manchac establishes the entire southern St. George border from the Mississippi River to the Amite River. The City will assist with crucial project monitoring. East Baton Rouge Parish will continue to lead the overall project effort. Modeling is essential to designing the most effective protection features.

Bayou Manchac Project Background

The Bayou Manchac Watershed consists of Bayou Fountain and Ward Creek in East Baton Rouge; Bayou Braud, Bayou Paul, Spanish Lake, and Alligator Bayou in Iberville Parish; and Bluff Swamp, Frog Bayou, Welsh Gully, and Cotton Bayou in Ascension Parish.

The Bayou Manchac Restoration and Ward Creek Realignment Project is a top ARBC priority:

• Resolution 1168 – Submitting the Bayou Manchac Flood Reduction Project to the Louisiana Watershed Initiative for funding.

• Resolution 1177 – Committing the ARBC to the completion of the Bayou Manchac Project.

• Resolution 1180 – ARBC allocating $30,000,000 for Bayou Manchac and various amounts for other projects.

• Resolution 1185 – Endorsing state legislation to facilitate more efficient Bayou Manchac restoration work.

• Bayou Manchac prominently featured in ARBC Master Plan.

Also at today’s meeting, the federally funded Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program updated the ARBC on their comprehensive management plan. The Program is designed to restore the ecological health of the Basin by developing and funding restoration projects and related scientific and public education projects to reduce the risk of pollution.

Clark said, “The Amite River Basin is about one third of the entire Lake Pontchartrain Basin, so their management plan affects our communities, which includes the two fastest growing parishes, the most populated parish, and the strongest regional economy in the state. As we grow, so does our place in the Pontchartrain Basin, so we look forward to working with the Program on our mutual interests.”

Read Pelican Post news story here: https://pelicanpostonline.com/arbc-approves-historic-bayou-manchac-partnership/