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1893 Map of West Delta

Name: 1893 Topographic Map of West Delta
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1904
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1904

About this map

South West Pass and the intricate bird-foot delta of the Mississippi River dominate this late-nineteenth-century survey of Plaquemines Parish. The map documents the critical navigational infrastructure at the mouth of the river, highlighting the maritime importance of the Custom House and Pilot Lookout situated along the narrow strips of land. Several navigational aids are precisely located, including the South West Pass Light, Old Light Tower, and the Head of Passes Light.

Beyond the primary shipping channels, the map details a complex network of smaller waterways and drainage features like Mercantile Bayou, Tiger Pass, and the Scott Canal. These features illustrate the early hydrography of the region before significant twentieth-century modifications. The vast tidal areas of West Bay and East Bay flank the primary channel, providing a clear picture of the land-water interface at the turn of the century.