1953 Map of Cow Bayou

About this map

The Atchafalaya Floodway dominates this mid-century landscape, illustrating the complex hydraulic engineering required to manage the basin. The eastern edge is defined by the East Protection Levee, a massive earthwork designed to channel floodwaters and protect the surrounding parishes. This drainage system is woven through with an intricate network of waterways including the Grand River, Billy Little Lake, and the engineered Whisky Bay Pilot Channel. Industrial activity is evident along the Indefinite Boundary between St. Martin and Iberville Parish, where several Gas Wells and an Oil Well are located near Bristow Bayou. This survey reveals the transition between natural wetlands and the managed flow of the Atchafalaya River, featuring landforms like Cow Island and the Spoil Bank that resulted from dredging operations.