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2015 Map of Belle Chasse

Name: 2015 Topographic Map of Belle Chasse
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2015
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2015

About this map

The Mississippi River carves a sharp horseshoe bend through this portion of the delta, anchoring the settlements of Belle Chasse and Braithwaite at its banks. The landscape is defined by an intricate network of drainage and transport infrastructure, including the Braithwaite Canal, Forty Arpent Canal, and Scarsdale Canal, which segment the low-lying terrain. These artificial waterways highlight the engineering required to maintain coastal communities like Saint Clair, Stella, and Dalcour.

Evidence of the region's long history and the precarious nature of its geography is found in features like the Poydras Crevasse and Caernarvon Crevasse, marking sites where the river has previously breached its banks. Genealogists and local historians can locate specific landmarks such as English Turn Cem and Scarsdale Cem, alongside industrial markers like Port Nickel. The transition from developed riverfront to the wetlands of Big Mar and Le Blanc Bayou illustrates the delicate balance of land use in Plaquemines Parish.