2012 Map of Lake Salve

About this map

Lake Salve lies at the heart of this intricate network of waterways in the Louisiana wetlands during the early 21st century. The terrain is a complex maze of tidal flow and deltaic sedimentation, where the Lower Atchafalaya River meets a dense web of smaller channels like Big Wax Bayou and Little Wax Bayou. This landscape is defined by its subtle variations in elevation, marked by features such as Live Oak Hammock and the Wetfoot Hammocks, which represent slightly higher ground amidst the prevailing marsh. Industrial activity is concentrated at the Bateman Lake Gas and Oil Field in the northeast, showing the continued importance of energy extraction in the Atchafalaya Basin. Navigation and local geography are dictated by natural passages such as Willow Pass and the shifting contours of Shell Island Point, providing a detailed look at the hydrology of the region before further coastal changes.