The Blackwater Conservation Area was dedicated and opened to the public on March 26, 2002 (see the News Release). Blackwater was dedicated by the sponsors to the thousands lost on 9/11. Of those lost on 9/11, four called Louisiana their home: Navy Lt. Michael Scott "Scottie" Lamana, Ret. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Hymel, Navy Intelligence Officer Kevin Wayne Yokum, and Phyllis Gail Rozas Talbot. See photos from the dedication ceremony and the most recent panoramic view of the Blackwater area.

Project Development

The Blackwater Conservation Area was developed through the cooperation between the Army Corps of Engineers - New Orleans District, the City of Baton Rouge/East Baton Rouge Parish, and the Parks and Recreation Commission for East Baton Rouge Parish (BREC). In 1998, the City/Parish had located this site as a mitigation area for drainage projects. The Corps suggested that the City/Parish consider the rest of the site as an ecosystem restoration under the authority of Section 206 of the 1996 Water Resources Development Act. BREC agreed to operate and maintain this area as a natural conservation area.

Site Conditions

Originally this sight had baldcypress sloughs and other aquatic habitat. The area had abundant populations of wood ducks and woodcock. About half of the 62.5-acre site had about 8-15 feet of soil removed and the rest of the site had fairly mature forested system. In the southwest corner there is a stand of baldcypress trees. Riverbirch and sycamore trees occur along the river. There is a narrow strip of bottomland hardwoods along the northern border. These naturally forested areas will remain in their natural state. See how the site has changed from pre-mining to present.

Restoration Plan

The mined area was low in fertility and had an average pH of 5.4. The area was vegetated by briar, Chinese tallow, and some pines, with cattails in the depressions. This restoration project will create two lakes. The southern lake will be eight acres, six acres of water and a two-acre island. The northern lake will be 2.5 acres. Dolomitic lime will be added to correct the pH of the mined lands and the lake bottoms. Mulch and fertilizer will be added to the areas to be reforested. Trees to be planted during the upcoming winter include: loblolly pine, spruce pine, wax myrtle, bald cypress, tupelo gum, cherrybark oak, native sweet pecan, blackgum, willow oak, riverbirch, cottonwood, red mulberry, common persimmon, water oak, cow oak, live oak, and eastern red cedar. View a complete site detail drawing (278 kb, gif format) of the Blackwater Restoration Area Project.

Recreational Features

There will be over 1.5 miles of walking trails and many interpretive areas. Access will be provided to a point bar on the Comite River. There will be 8.5 acres of lakes for fishing and aquatic wildlife. Additionally there will be a parking lot with an information shelter and restrooms.

Time Line

The earthwork was completed and the site was dedicated on March 26, 2002. Additional tree plantings are scheduled for this winter to replace some of the trees than did not survive the early year drought. The lakes have been stocked and there have been of 4- to 5-inch bream being taken, the fisheries should continue to improve with time. It is expected that the construction phase will be completed by March 2003 when the second tree plantings have been completed.