This is the part of the great Atchafalaya Basin that most passing through Louisiana see. This view is from I-10 from Butte LaRose to Henderson

The Atchafalaya is the largest river swamp in America. It is the result of 10000 years of meandering of the Mississippi River which wound as far west as Bayou Teche to is's present location of New Orleans. If the US Corps of Engineers would not have built the Old River Control structure as a result of major floods in the 1940's, the Mississippi would most probably have left New Orleans high and dry by now.

The Basin is the home of a diverse population of wildlife. Many species of birds and animals including large populations of alligators and the elusive Louisiana Black Bear.



For more information about the Atchafalaya see the following
http://www.atchafalaya.org/
http://www.basinbuddies.org/news/?page_id=611