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1971 Map of South Pass

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of South Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Port Eads stands at the tip of the Mississippi River delta, marking a critical transition between the river's South Pass and the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This 1971 orthophotomap reveals the intensive industrialization of the marshlands, where an extensive Oil and Gas Field and the Block 27 Oil Field are integrated into the fragile coastal ecosystem. A network of steam pipes, gas wells, and a large Fresh Water Reservoir enclosed by a Levee demonstrate the infrastructure required for extraction in this aquatic environment.

While industry dominates the central marshes, conservation efforts are evidenced by the State Waterfowl Management Area. Navigational features such as the East Jetty, a Heliport, and various lights guide vessels through a complex labyrinth of waterways, including Pass a Loutre, Cadro Pass, and Dennis Pass. Family-named landmarks like Valentiers Pond, Loomis Pond, and Francois Bend hint at the local history of those who lived and worked in this remote delta landscape.