Since most of the southern Louisiana areas are a flat plain, after several major flood events along the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Basin the Corps of Engineers has added these concrete retaining walls to the existing levees along the river.

SInce there are businesses along the river, access was needed to them, so these gates were built to allow that access, but in time of high water, the gates could be closed to prevent flooding of the rest of the area. As you can see, the gates are not only closed at the time this photo was taken, but sandbags are placed at the bottoms to assist in keeping the river out.