Department of Natural Resources
Atchafalaya Basin Bulletin

Hello from the Department of Natural Resources Atchafalaya Basin Program!

"Atchafalaya Geocache Series" - Outdoor Exploring from DNR Atchafalaya Basin Program

Friday, June 30, 2017
DNR ABP Geocache Coin

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Atchafalaya Basin Program has added a new attraction to draw in and educate visitors to the Basin through the creation of the Atchafalaya Geocache Series - a geocaching scavenger hunt that highlights important historical, natural and man-made features of the Basin tied to the water flow that sustains it.

The region is defined by water and the Atchafalaya Basin Program developed this cost-effective approach to bring awareness and attention to the story of how that water has historically shaped the Basin and how that water is managed to maintain the crown jewel of Louisiana's natural resources.

Atchafalaya Basin Program staff identified 24 locations in and around the Atchafalaya Basin that are integral to the water story, and then placed geocaches at each of these locations. Geocaching is basically a real-world treasure hunt in which people use GPS-enabled devices to navigate to specific locations. The Atchafalaya Geocache Series is an opportunity for people of all ages to explore the Atchafalaya Basin - designed so that all locations are publically accessible and can be reached without needing a boat. Locations range from near the Old River Control Structure in the North to Morgan City in the South, highlighting such things as access point to the Basin and water control structures such as flood gates. Additionally, the first 200 people to complete the series are eligible to receive a limited edition Atchafalaya Basin Coin.

The Atchafalaya Geocache Series is open to the public now and is intended to be a permanent feature for the enjoyment of visitors to the Basin. It was conceived and implemented as a means of outreach and raising awareness as part of Atchafalaya Basin Program's efforts responsibility to conserve, restore, enhance and promote the Basin.

Visit our website to learn more: http://www.dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=1435

News:

KATC: Atchafalaya Basin opens geocache series
The Advocate: Sac-a-lait catch comes after big storm and in high waters
LDWF: LDWF Agents Participating in Operation Dry Water This Weekend
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Events:
Dutch Oven Cooking, July 1 at 10 am at the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site in St. Martinville
Krotz Springs Quilt Show & Sale, July 8 at the Gary Soileau Community Center in Krotz Springs
Les Mains Guidées: Boudin, July 8 at Vermilionville in Lafayette
Atchafalaya Trace Commission Meeting, July 12 at 10 am at the Capitol Park Welcome Center in Baton Rouge
Boats of the Basin: Design, Function and Form for the Life Aquatic, July 18 at the West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen
Teachers Institute 2017: "THE ACADEMICS OF THE ATCHAFALAYA" - JULY 18TH, 19TH, AND 20TH at the West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen
4th Annual Southwest Louisiana Attakapas Opelousas Prairie Tribe Festival, July 29 at the Farmer's Market Pavilion in Opelousas
The River Rises: Historical Floods, June 3 - Aug 27 at the West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen
Water Trails of the Atchafalaya, June 17 - Oct 29 at the West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen
La Table Francaise, last Saturday of every month at NUNU Arts and Culture Collective in Arnaudville
Les Courdre Pointes Quilting Circle, every Thursday from 1:30 - 3:30 pm at NUNU Arts and Culture Collective in Arnaudville

Send in your Basin Pics!

Let us know if you have an upcoming event to promote the Basin!

Checking the water:
The information below is obtained from the USGS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and has been compiled by DNR into this format to allow a quick look at information pertinent to the Atchafalaya Basin. Current Atchafalaya Basin water levels from NOAA.

Data is for 6/30/2017

ALL STAGE FORECASTS INCLUDE 24 HOURS OF FUTURE RAINFALL.

Ohio River at Cairo

Location: Southernmost gauge on the Ohio River in Illinois Reading significance - used to forecast rises on the Mississippi. Lag time, 4 to 6 days.

Flood Stage: 40'

Stage: 32.4'

24 hour change: +0.1'

Forecast: expect to FALL to 27.63' by 7/5

Mississippi River, just south of ORCS, at Red River Landing

Reading: Mississippi River south of ORCS, after the diversion into the Atchafalaya

Flood Stage: 48'

Stage: 42.9'

24 hour change: -0.1'

Forecast: expect to FALL to 42.9' by 7/5

Mississippi River at Baton Rouge

Flood Stage: 35'

Stage: 27.2'

24 hour change: -0.2'

Forecast: expect to FALL to 27.1' by 7/5

Mississippi River at New Orleans

Flood Stage: 17'

Stage: 9.6'

24 hour change: -0.1'

Forecast: expect to FALL to 9.6' by 7/5

Atchafalaya River at Simmesport

Flood Stage: 47'

Stage: 21.5'

Forecast: expect to RISE to 21.6' by 7/5

Atchafalaya River at Melville

Flood Stage: 34'

Stage: 16.3'

Forecast: expect to HOLD at 16.3' through 7/5

Atchafalaya River at Krotz Springs

Flood Stage: 29'

Stage: 14.9'

Forecast: expect to FALL to 14.7' by 7/5

Atchafalaya River above Butte La Rose

Flood Stage: 20'

Stage: 12.1'

Forecast: expect to FALL to 12.0' by 7/5

Atchafalaya River at Bayou Sorrell Locks on the GIWW

Flood Stage: 12'

Stage: 8.3'

Forecast: expect to FALL to 8.2' by 7/5

Atchafalaya at Millet (Myette) Point

Flood Stage: 15'

Stage: 7.3'

Forecast: expect to FALL to 7.1' by 7/5

Atchafalaya River at Morgan City

Flood Stage: 6'

Stage: 4.9'

Forecast: expect to FALL to 4.7' by 7/5

Murphy Lake near Bayou Sorrel

Stage: 13.46'

Lower Grand River at Bayou Sorrel

Stage: 8.87'

Bayou Courtableau (inside the floodway)

Stage: 21.45'

Middle Fork, Bayou Long

Stage: 6.77'

Arm of Grand Lake near Crook Chene Cove

Stage: 11.25'

Pontoon Bridge at Butte Larose

Stage: 12.28'

Lake Pelba at I-10, Henderson

Stage: 16.34'

Little Alabama Bayou at Sherbourne

Stage: 19.73'

Work Canal near I-10

Stage: 11.71'

Bayou La Rompe at Lake Long

Stage: 12.06

Keelboat Pass below Lake Chicot

Stage: 7.22'

   
  Department of Natural Resources
617 North Third Street | LaSalle Building
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 342-0556
www.dnr.louisiana.gov
 
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