October is Atchafalaya month, Celebrate the Atchafalaya

ATCHAFALAYA MONTH

Whereas, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is one of 49 nationally distinctive heritage areas designated by the United States Congress;

Whereas, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area contains the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest river swamp in America;

Whereas, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area encompasses 14 parishes reflecting the unique culture evolving from life in the Atchafalaya Basin;

Whereas, the Atchafalaya Basin is considered the most productive swamp in the world and contributes substantially to the economy of Louisiana;

Whereas, the Atchafalaya Basin houses important wetlands that serve as buffers during storm surges;

Whereas, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area offers exceptional opportunities for education and recreation;

Whereas the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area encourages and promote recreational and educational activities during October to raise awareness of the valuable resources located within the Area;

Therefore, we do hereby proclaim October 2017,  Celebrate the Atchafalaya month.

Know  Atchafalaya  Heritage

The Atchafalaya Basin is Part of the Mississippi River Geomorphology

The Atchafalaya River Basin lies at the very bottom of the Mississippi Watershed. The Atchafalaya River Basin is a sub component of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley

(MAV) ecosystem

Geomorphology is the study of landforms, their processes, form, and sediments at the surface of the Earth.  River basin s have a particularly geomorphology, Tributaries, Alluvial Valley, Deltaic plain and a receiving basin.  Just remember, water runs downhill and you will be alright.

The Mississippi River, with its sand and silt, has created most of Louisiana. The Mississippi floodplain is more than 100 miles wide. The Atchafalaya Basin lies at the very bottom of the Mississippi Watershed. It is part of the Mississippi’s lower river deltaic plain.

Located in south-central Louisiana, the Atchafalaya River Basin extends from the confluence of the Mississippi, Red and Atchafalaya rivers, near Simmesport, to the Gulf of Mexico near Morgan City. Situated in the heart of this natural basin is the 833,000-acre Atchafalaya Basin Floodway. The floodway is about 15 miles wide and confined by the East and West Atchafalaya Basin Protection levees.

Location Of  Atchafalaya  Basin

Limits of Geomorphic Atchafalaya Basin

Natural Atchafalaya Basin to the Atchafalaya Natural Heritage Area

- Atchafalaya Floodway to Natural Atchafalaya Basin

Atchafalaya National Heritage Area to Atchafalaya Floodway

The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest contiguous wetland and swamp in the United States. Located in south-central Louisiana, it is a combination of wetlands and river delta area where the Atchafalaya River and the Gulf of Mexico converge.

Pronunciations

Officially, the State of Louisiana pronounces Atchafalaya – (ah-chafa-laya) It is the English version of a Choctaw Indian word “hacha falaia,” which means long river.

The pronunciation of Atchafalaya is somewhat troublesome because it is the French spelling of an Indian word. In French "ch" is pronounced as "sh" is in English. Thus "tch" is used in French to denote the English "ch" sound. Therefore, some linguist say correct pronunciation of Atchafalaya is as though it were spelled "acha falaya.“


The Atchafalaya Basin is one of the nation’s last great river swamps. It is also a principle floodway of the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project. The New Orleans District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, maintains 449 miles of federal levees, 14 pumping stations, 15 drainage structures and four navigation locks.  Their job is overseeing the basin and ensure it is able to remove flood waters and keep basin channels open for commercial barges and small boats.

Know the Heritage …

The Atchafalaya Basin is a term that is used in multiple contexts, a Natural Wetland Basin, a Floodway, and a Cultural Heritage Area.