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Facts

Atchafalaya is a Native American word, named in the Choctaw tongue, “hacha” for river and “falaia” for long.  Meaning = Long River.

The Atchafalaya Basin is the nation’s largest river swamp, containing almost one million acres of America’s most significant bottomland hardwoods, swamps, bayous, and backwater lakes.

The basin begins near Simmesport and stretches some 140 miles southward to the Gulf of Mexico. Currently, the Atchafalaya Basin is bound by natural ridges formed by levee building along active and abandoned courses of the Mississippi River.

Some 60 species of reptiles and amphibians, along with over 250 species of birds, including the American Bald Eagle, Ivory-billed Woodpecker and the Peregrine Flacon can be found in this productive region. Many types of animal life and nearly 100 different species of fish and aquatic life can also be found in the basin.

Estimates show that close to 22 million pounds of crawfish is commercially harvested annually from the basin.

In 1996, La. Gov. Mike Foster directed the state Department of Natural Resources to be the lead agency in the development of the basin along with the federal, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In 1999, Act 920 of the Louisiana Legislature authorizes the State Master Plan for the Atchafalaya Basin Program with a budget of $85 million over fifteen years and specifically addresses access, easements, water management, and recreation.

In 2004, Gov. Kathleen B. Blanco opened the Atchafalaya Welcome Center. Located in St. Martin Parish at Butte LaRose, the facility allows for a true feeling of the Atchafalaya experience with thousands of visitors each year stopping to see and tour as they travel U.S. Interstate 10.

State Master Plan for the Atchafalaya Basin

In 1998, the State Master Plan was completed and presented to the state legislature. Act 3 was created as a result of legislative approval of the plan. In 1999, Act 920 authorized the State Master Plan with a budget of $85 million for a fifteen year period.

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Profiles of Projects

Basin projects include water management, boat landings, trails and parks, and recreation. Several ABP projects already completed include Welcome Center at Butte LaRose, Belle River Boat Landing, Henderson Walking Trail, and the Baldwin Recreation Park Enhancements.

A listing of past and future projects will be presented here.