Feel the power. The Bonnet Carre Spillway stands before you a testament to human ingenuity and nature’s relentless force. It’s more than just a flood control structure. It’s a story etched in concrete and water.
The Bonnet Carre Spillway was born from tragedy. The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 devastated the region. Hundreds perished. The devastation spurred the creation of this engineering marvel. Construction lasted from 1929 to 1931. It’s a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. It protects New Orleans from catastrophic flooding. This wasn’t the first flood in this area. The Bonnet Carre Crevasse in 1871 caused significant damage. Local drainage couldn’t handle the floodwaters. Strong winds pushed the water into Lake Pontchartrain and nearby towns.
The Bonnet Carre Spillway isn’t just about flood control. It’s a complex system. A concrete weir stretches over a mile and a half. It diverts floodwaters into Lake Pontchartrain. The lake’s connection to the Gulf of Mexico easily dissipates the water. This reduces the stress on New Orleans levees. The floodway extends nearly six miles to the lake. It’s designed to handle a massive 250000 cubic feet of water per second. U S 61 and Interstate 10 cross this impressive structure.
Beyond its engineering prowess the Bonnet Carre Spillway offers recreation. It’s a popular spot for off-road vehicles biking boating hiking hunting and fishing. It’s also a protected wildlife management area. The clay extraction pits are now filled with water. They’re stocked with fish enhancing the fishing experience.
But the Bonnet Carre Spillway also has a darker side. Two cemeteries Kugler and Kenner lie beneath the spillway’s floodwaters. They hold the remains of enslaved people and free African-Americans. These cemeteries were flooded when the spillway opened. Their location was a mystery until 1975 when a tombstone and casket were unearthed. The discovery led to further investigations. The cemeteries were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
The Bonnet Carre Spillway is more than flood control. It’s a complex story of engineering human impact and nature’s power. It’s a place of both protection and sorrow recreation and reflection. It’s a reminder of the Mississippi’s power and our attempts to control it. A remarkable site you won’t soon forget.