Louisiana Canals and Their Influence on Wetland Development
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Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 1973 Louisiana Canals and Their nflueI nce on Wetland Development. Donald Wayne Davis Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Davis, Donald Wayne, "Louisiana Canals and Their nflueI nce on Wetland Development." (1973). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 2386. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/2386 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This material was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. 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Xerox University Microfilms 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 7 3 - 2 7 , 8 2 8 DAVIS, Donald Wayne, 194-3- LOÜISIANA CANALS AND THEIR INFLUENCE'ON WETLAND DEVELOPMENT. The Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, Ph.D., 1973 Geography University Microfilms, A XEROX Company, Ann Arbor, Michigan ; S . I THIS DISSERTATION HAS BEEN MICROFIIMED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LOUISIANA CANALS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON WETLAND DEVELOPMENT A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Geography and Anthropology by Donald Wayne Davis B.A., California State University, Hayward, 1967 M.A., Louisiana State University, 1969 May, 1973 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The writer takes this opportunity to thank all of the people in the study area who took the time to discuss the history of canals with me. Over one-hundred interviews were conducted, each represents a memorable experience and made my field work an enjoyable undertaking. Special mention must be made of Edward Simmons, Moise Sturlese, Mrs. A. 0. Williams and Marshall Vignes who provided free accommodations and a special thanks to LaTerre Land Company for lodging, food and field assistance. I would also like to thank Dr. Raphael G. Kazman.» and the Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute for a one-hundred dollar research stipend. My deepest appreciation and sincere gratitude are extended to Dr. Randall A. Detro, Francis T. Nicholls State University, for his constant aid and assistance in helping me with this essay. Dr. Detro provided lodging, as well as an introduction to many of the informants I interviewed in Jefferson, Lafourche, St. Charles and Terrebonne Parishes. For this help, I am very grateful. ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Additional help and advice of the professional nature has been obtained from Dr. H, J. Walker, chairman of the writer's committee. Dr. Walker's guidance, wisdom, patience, suggestions and initial trust are sincerely appreciated. Appreciation is also extended to the members of the writer's committee who have made numerous suggestions in the compilation of this text. Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Karen Sue Davis and my parents Mr. and Mrs. Don L. Davis. During my seven months of field work my wife worked to provide the necessary funds for this study and it is through her patience, understanding and assistance that this manuscript is a reality. I owe considerable to my parents, in that they provided aid and guidance when they were needed. To all of these people I express my sincere thanks. iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................ ii TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................... iv LIST OF FIGURES ....................................... ix LIST OF TABLES . ................................... xvii ABSTRACT .................................. xviii INTRODUCTION ........................................... 1 Ditches and Canals ................................... 5 Marsh and Swamp Environments ........................ 8 The Total Canal System .............................. 10 Chapter I. LOUISIANA'S DRAINAGE DITCHES: A METHOD OF AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT..........................................12 Swamp Land Acts Encourages Drainage Improvements ................................. 16 State-Supported Projects ...................... 18 Lafourche Valley ............................ 18 West of Bayou Lafourche........................ 22 Land Reclamation . .............................24 iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Chapter Page Equipment used in Reclamation Programs.......... 28 Steam Bucket Dredges ......................... 28 D r a g l i n e s .................................... 30 Reclamation Techniques 31 Drainage Projects: Successes and Failures. • . 35 Drainage Canals - A Summary ................... 3 9 II. TRANSPORTATION. CANALS ..............................41 The Evolution of Louisiana's Transportation Canals ................................ 43 Attakapas Canal................................ 46 Harvey Canal ................................ 47 Other Canals...................................... 50 Bayou Teche Canals ............... ..... 55 Barataria Waterway .......................... 56 Robinson Canal .............................. 60 Shipping Canals through New Orleans.......... 60 Canal Construction After the War Between the States...........................................61 Terrebonne Canal ....................... 61 Grays Canal.................................... 62 Panama Canal ................................ 63 V Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Chapter Page Jean Plaisance Canal, .....................63 Mississippi River Toll Canals . ........... 64 The First Delta Canals .................... 66 The Mississippi by-pass. Lake Borgne C a n a l ...................................... 67 Expansion of the Transportation Canal Network. 69 Later Developxnents............................. 70 III. TRAPPING CANALS; A TRAPPER'S ACCESS TO THE MARSH ...............................................72 Construction Techniques......................... 76 Pirogue Paddles ............................. 77 Shovels, Rakes and Sweepers ................ 78 M u d b o a t s .................................... 82 Ditch Diggers ................................84 Marsh Buggies ........................... 85 Trapping Areas, Marsh Leases and Their Influence on Canalization..................... 89 Trapping Land Leases .............. 90 Trapping Canals - A Summary..................... 93 Chenier Plain ................... ..... 95 Deltaic Plain .............................. 101 IV. LOGGING CANALS: A DISTINCT PATTERN ON THE SWAMP LANDSCAPE ................................... 110 Large-Scale Logging .......................... Ill vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Chapter Page Construction Techniques........................ 115 Logging Canals - A Summary .................... 118 V. PETROLEUM CANALS: LOUISIANA'S