East Baton Rouge Flood Risk Reduction Project

The authorized project is intended to reduce flooding along 5 sub-basins throughout the parish, including Jones Creek, Ward Creek, Bayou Fountain, Blackwater Bayou, and Beaver Bayou . The Feasibility Study was initiated in 1992, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) completed in 1995, and the Chief’s report was approved Dec 1996.  The Project was first authorized for construction in WRDA 1999 at a total cost of $113M, increased in 2003 by the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution (CAR) to $150M, and increased again in WRDA 2007 to $187M ($255M in current dollars). 

The current plan consists of improvements to 50 miles of channels, including clearing and snagging, channel enlargement, and placement of riprap to reduce the risk of flood damages during heavy rainfall events.  The planned improvements for each of the sub-basins are listed below:

Bayou Fountain:  The proposed plan consists of clearing and snagging approximately 4.6 miles of channel.  The proposed improvements would begin at the mouth of Bayou Manchac and continue upstream to Burbank Drive.  The proposed improvements are designed to reduce the risk of flood damages caused by out of bank flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Jones Creek and Tributaries Lively Bayou and Weiner Creek:  The proposed plan consists of clearing and snagging approximately 15.2 miles of channel and placement of rip rap for 4.3 miles.  The proposed clearing and snagging work extends from mouth of the Amite River and continues upstream to O’Neal, from the mouth of Weiner Creek to Cedarcrest  Avenue, from Sherwood Forest Blvd to Wooddale Blvd, from Old Hammond Hwy to the Railroad crossing at N. Flannery Road, and from the mouth of Lively Bayou's tributary to Tams Road.  The proposed placement of rip rap would extend from O'Neal Lane to Sherwood Forest Blvd and Old Hammond Highway.  The proposed improvements are designed to reduce the risk of flood damages caused by out of bank flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Ward Creek:  The proposed plan consists of clearing and snagging approximately 3.3 miles of channel.  Proposed modifications begin 4,000 feet upstream of the mouth of Bayou Manchac and continue to 1,200 feet upstream of Pecue Lane.  The proposed improvements are designed to reduce the risk of flood damages caused by out of bank flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Beaver Bayou:  The proposed plan consists of 1.6 miles earthen enlargement and 6.4 miles of clearing and snagging.  The planned enlargement work extends from Frenchtown road upstream to Central Throughway.  The proposed clearing and snagging work extends from Central Throughway upstream to Hubbs Road.  The proposed improvements are designed to reduce the risk of flood damages caused by out of bank flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Blackwater Bayou and its Tributary:  The proposed plan consists of 4.1 miles earthen enlargement and 10.5 miles of clearing and snagging.  The planned enlargement work extends from Hooper road upstream to Blackwater Road and Gurney Road.  The proposed clearing and snagging work extends from the mouth of Blackwater Bayou upstream to Hooper Road, Blackwater Road upstream to Greenwell Springs Road, and Gurney Road upstream to McCullough Road.  The proposed improvements are designed to reduce the risk of flood damages caused by out of bank flooding during heavy rainfall events.

 

Project Status

Lower Jones Creek (3.3 miles):  Clearing and Snagging from the confluence of Jones creek and the Amite River upstream to O’Neal Lane - Construction is complete.

Ward Creek (3.3 miles):  Clearing and snagging work from Southern Hills Ave upstream to Pecue Lane.  Construction is underway with anticipated completion in March 2024.

Bayou Fountain (4.6 miles):  Clearing and snagging from the confluence of Bayou Fountain and Bayou Manchac upstream to Burbank Drive.  Construction is complete.

 

Ongoing activities for the remainder of project:

- Identify all utilities within the project footprint and determine any relocation requirements

- Continue acquiring lands for construction

- Development of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)

- Acquire remaining mitigation

- Incorporate utility data and required relocations plans into final design

- When right-of-way for construction is available, award construction contracts for all subsequent project features