1893 Map of East Delta

About this map

The dynamic Mississippi River delta reaches into the Gulf of Mexico on this survey based on late nineteenth-century field work. The settlement of Balize sits deep within the marshy network of distributaries, while Port Eads guards the mouth of South Pass at the very edge of the continent. Navigational infrastructure is prominent throughout the delta, including the Pass A Loutre Light, the South Pass Light, and a Revenue Station. Unique geomorphological features like the North Pass Mud Lumps and South Mud Lumps indicate the constant shift of silt and sediment at the river's mouth. Cultural remnants like the Old Spanish Magazine suggest the deeper colonial history of the Plaquemines region. Maritime activity is further evidenced by a system of jetties, including the East Jetty and West Jetty, designed to maintain deep channels through the evolving passes for international shipping.