Atchafalaya River

The Atchafalaya River is a vital distributary in south central Louisiana. A distributary is a branch that flows away from a larger river. In this case, it branches off from the Mississippi River and the Red River.

The name Atchafalaya comes from the Choctaw language. It means "long river," using the words "atcha" for long and "falaya" for river. This waterway is the fifth largest river in North America when measured by discharge. Discharge is the volume of water that flows through the river.

Water enters the Atchafalaya through a specific process at its source. The river forms near Simmesport at a confluence. A confluence is the place where two or more rivers meet. Here, the Red River meets the Mississippi River. The Atchafalaya receives 30% of the combined flow from both of these rivers. The remaining 70% of the water continues down the main Mississippi River path.

Engineers use a complex system to manage this massive amount of water. This system is called the Old River Control Structure. It is located near Red River Landing, Louisiana. The structure consists of several different parts working together. These include a low-sill structure and an auxiliary structure. There is also an overbank structure and a navigation lock. A power plant is also part of this control system.

During times of extreme flooding, workers use the Morganza Spillway further downstream to regulate the volume.

History shows how the river's path changed over time. Between 1839 and 1849, the Atchafalaya became a main distributary. This change happened after locals removed a massive log jam. This log jam was known as the Great Raft. For more than a century, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has managed the river. They maintain the channel for flood control and navigation. Their work has helped isolate the river channel from the surrounding swamp. This maintenance keeps the river navigable for industrial shipping.

There are significant geological consequences to the river's path. The Atchafalaya is shorter and steeper than the Mississippi River. If the Mississippi were allowed to flow freely, it might capture the main flow. This would cause the Mississippi to bypass its current path. Such a change would affect important ports like Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Some researchers believe the likelihood of this event increases every year. They point to the natural forces found in river deltas.

Despite these risks, the river is creating something new. Since the late 20th century, the river has been forming a new delta in Atchafalaya Bay. This bay is located south of Morgan City. This delta is unique on the Louisiana coastline. It is the only place that is actually gaining ground. Most other parts of the coastline are currently experiencing erosion.

In 1942, part of the flow was even diverted through Wax Lake to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Atchafalaya region is also a place of great cultural and natural value. The river valley is the cultural heart of Cajun Country. It is also home to the Atchafalaya Basin and the Atchafalaya Swamp.

In 2006, the river valley was designated as the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. This status recognizes the importance of the land and its history. The river continues to meander south through extensive levees and floodways toward the Gulf of Mexico.