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1966 Map of Belle Isle

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Belle Isle
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

Belle Isle rises above the surrounding marshlands of St. Mary Parish, serving as a prominent landmark in a landscape dominated by the Atchafalaya Bay. This region is defined by its intricate network of waterways, where the New Wax Lake Outlet and Little Wax Bayou channel water toward the Gulf. The map reveals the heavy industrial footprint of the mid-20th century energy sector, notably the Belle Isle Gas and Oil Field and the Bayou Sale Oil and Gas Field, marked by numerous pipelines and offshore platforms.

Named features like Negro Hammock and Hammock indicate slightly higher ground used for navigation or settlement amidst the wetlands. The hydrography is exceptionally detailed, tracing the winding paths of Bear Fork Bayou, Doctors Bayou, and Fivemile Oaks Bayou. Coastal features such as Coalboat Pass and Goat Island Bayou reflect the maritime history of the area, providing insight into how these marshes were navigated before modern modifications.