Dredging work at Dog Leg Canal in the Atchafalaya Basin has been completed, announced officials with the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) yesterday. The project was a water maintenance project included in the department’s Atchafalaya Basin Program.
Dog Leg Canal is located within the Attakapas Island Wildlife Management Area in St. Mary Parish. DNR Secretary Stephen Chustz said he was pleased to see the work completed within six weeks and according to construction specifications.
Comeaux Engineering and Consulting Co. of Broussard completed the work which now helps move freshwater from the Atchafalaya River into the swamp. One of several water quality projects that are in the plans to be constructed by DNR’s Atchafalaya Basin Program, this project restores Dog Leg’s sediment trap functionality at the cut, and will improve water quality off the east bank of the river in the area near Grand Lake.
This project was approved by the Atchafalaya Basin Technical Advisory Group, which consists of scientist from several state and federal resource agencies and LSU, who are required to certify that any water quality and water management project nominated will result in water management or water quality improvements that will enhance the wildlife, fisheries, or forest resources of the Atchafalaya Basin.
Chairman of the Atchafalaya Research and Promotion Board Gerald Alexander said, “ It’s good to move from conception to completion, every project is important as we work with our partners to improve conditions in the Basin.”
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries manages the Attakapas Wildlife Management Area, a natural forested swampland teeming with a variety of animal and game habitat and fisheries. The Attakapas WMA is comprised of some 27,962 acres.
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Press Release, December 27, 2012