9/15/2023 Courtableau La
We are happy to report the spoil bank gapping project on the Enterprise Dixie P/L in both St Landry and St Martin Parish is now completed as per the State of Louisiana Coastal Restoration Authority (CPRA) Atchafalaya Basin Program staff. This project is a regional flood mitigation project that will also significantly improve water quality in Henderson Lake and areas south in the basin. DTV assisted both St Landry and St Martin Parishes and CPRA in defining and developing a conceptual project plan as well as played a leading role in securing permits and funding for the project. While much more is needed to be done in this area, this project is a major first step in realizing regional flood mitigation in our watershed.
Here is a link to several videos of the project posted by Jody Meche of Henderson. Jody Meche – The Dixie pipeline spoil bank gapping project…
Other news
8/15/2023 Abbeville, La
Several DTV board members and Councilman Harold Taylor St. Landry Parish met with Mayor Roslyn White of Abbeville regarding regional flood management and proposed operational procedures changes for the Bayou Courtableau Pool Stage management in the central part of the watershed in St. Landry Parish.
9/5/2023 Lafayette La
DTV President Dave Dixon spoke to the LCG Parish Council in support of a resolution put forth by Councilman Bayan Tabor regarding proposed operational procedures changes for the Bayou Courtableau Pool Stage management in the central part of the watershed in St. Landry Parish. The Resolution passed 5-0.
9/12/2023 Courtableau La
A number of DTV board members attended a meeting on the levee at the Bayou Courtableau Flood gates this morning. About 35+ people in attendance including USACE, LA DOTD, LWFD, CPRA, TVFD, Nature Conservancy(NC), State Rep for St Landry and St Martin, and Parish Council Members, and other interested parties. The agenda for the meeting was a review of the the Sustainable Rivers program between NC and USACE. Then DTV got our opportunity to address the next major project regarding flood mitigation involving the Bayou Courtableau as well as arguing for our proposed operational procedures changes for the Bayou Courtableau Pool Stage management . Using the below poster we had 60-70% of the total conservation time talking about drainage and water quality. St martin Parish Councilman Chris Tauzin did a great job explaining how uncontrolled flow over the Courtableau weirs has damaged the people downstream in Henderson and Catahoula and how current low water management gives them not nearly enough freshwater leasing to fish kills. We hammered in the point about the Grimmet canal problems downstream of the gates. Much discussion took place on lowering water in Courtableau when a storm threatens. USACE said they have to go by the book and cannot do modify procedures because the banks on Courtableau may cave in. DTV made the point how can you compare a bank cave in to someone’s house flooding? All in all we made our argument that this has to be addressed and fixed. Analysis and data was sent to USACE engineering staff that attended the meeting for their review.
9/14/2023 Lafayette LA
Open letter to Congressman Higgins regarding recommended pool stage operational procedures for Bayou Courtableau when a storm threatens the watershed,
Sept 11 2023 along Bayou Teche in St Martin Parish
Legal advisor to DTV Gordon Schoeffler reported a major drainage problem in the Bayou Teche south of St Martinville and the Keystone dam. Below are notes form the conservation. This issue was reported to St Martin Parish.
“This is what happens when Gov’t takes no action at all levels(was reported months ago to USACE, State, and Parish). The tree that fell across the Teche just below Keystone, has now created a new, organic Keystone.
Pictures don’t do justice. Have to see this in person. Flow very slow. Now completely blocked. Don’t see any relief. Thank you for any help.
Yes, it’s bayou Teche, just below Keystone. I think clearing of Joe Daigre Canal, which empties into the Teche just upstream of this location, had contributed to more lilies and debris being caught against the fallen trees.”
𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐨n
Dredge the Vermilion (DTV) is a non-profit 501(C)(3) setup to inform the public about the need to identify and to perform regional drainage projects in the Teche-Vermilion watershed.
The board and advisors of DTV are all citizen volunteers with varying backgrounds from engineering, business owners, business management, medical, banking, and legal.
If you wish to help with our efforts please like and share our posts on Facebook(search “Dredge the Vermilion”)
Website
Please see our website at www.dredgethevermilion.org if you would like to make a donation. All donations help fund our website, Facebook and other marketing efforts, public outreach, and research.
Thank You,
Dave Dixon
President Dredge the Vermilion