Rising rivers cause concern for low-lying areas

With the Black River expected to crest at 47.5 feet in mid-March, those living on the unprotected side of the levees along Red River and those with camps in low-lying areas of Avoyelles Parish should expect some high water on their properties, retired DOTD engineer Jessie Lachney said.

The National Weather Service issued a possible flood warning on Feb. 25 that the Red River could reach the same level it did on Jan. 20, 2016.

“The Atchafalaya River is also rising,” Lachney said. “The Atchafalaya is our relief. The Red River empties into it. If it is too high, the water has no place to go. The Black River empties into the Red at Acme.”

Lachney has spent his life watching the rivers that effect Avoyelles Parish and is considered to be a “go to guy” with questions about the possible effects of river stages.

The flood stage at that junction is 48 feet.

If all three rivers are at or near flood stage at the same time, it will cause backwater flooding as the rivers overflow their banks.

“People living between the levee and the river need to be concerned,” Lachney said. “Those with camps in the Grand Lake, Grassy Lake, Big Bend areas should also be concerned.”

At this time, those living on the protected side of the levees should not expect any flooding “unless the Atchafalaya reaches flood stage. Then there could be some backwater flooding.”

As of Feb. 25, the stage at Acme was 42.5 feet.

Lachney said the Atchafalaya recently rose nine inches in one day.

What raises a bit of concern for Lachney is the crest coming on March 18. He said the Mississippi River is already high and will be getting a large influx of water from the April snowmelt in the northern states.

“I hope this water recedes before we get the spring break on the Mississippi,” he said.