Old River Control Structure

Old River is located 50 miles northwest of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  It connects theAtchafalaya and Mississippi rivers.  If man had not intervened the Old River would cease to exist today. Today Old River functions as a navigation canal.

South of Baton Rouge the Mississippi River began to develop about 5,000 to 6,000 years ago as sea level rose to its present height.  The Mississippi has migrated back and forth across Louisiana at least seven times, each time forming a new delta by depositing vast amounts of sands, silts and clays.
 

The Old River Control structure was built to prevent the Mississippi from diverting from its present day position.
The Auxilliary (left) and the Low Sill control the channels from the Mississippi River.  To the west of the structures the channels merge and flow into the Atchafalaya River.

The Old River Control structures help control flooding, navigation and provide fresh water to the Atchafalaya Basin.  Fresh water is needed by the extensive amount of plant and animal life in the basin and swamp.