WSP06673

• File Number: 8112.600
• Description: Arkansas White Red Basins Interagency Committee - AWRBIAC
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 8/1/1976
• Title: Technical Memorandum - State Regional Futures and Problem Lists -- Activity 2 Phase II -- 1975 National Assessment --- part 2 of 3 -- Page 135 - 312
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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OFFIGE OF THE MAYOR

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SHREVEPORT,LOUISLaNA

"L.CALHOUN ALLEN. JR.
MAYOR

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May 20, 1976

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Mr. Roy Aquillard
Dept. of Public Works
P.O. Box 44155, Capitol
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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BAlliN ROUGE. lA..

Station
70804

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Dear Mr. Aquillard:

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Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the end product of the 1975
National Water Assessment. I have referred your letter and the report to the
Shreve Area Council of Governments for their review. Staff comments indicate
that the information is a reasonably accurate and complete presentation of
the water situation in northwest Louisiana. However, there are several items
which we feel merit further consideration, and which we hope would be of in-
terest to those working over the larger area.

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First of all, we would like to place more emphasis on the high sediment
load problem of many northwest Louisiana waterbodies. This was mentioned in
the report; but we feel it is a primary water quality problem because this
condition alone is enough to render the water unsuitable for most purposes,
in addition to causing severe environmental damage to wildlife habitats and
recreational areas. We have recently acquired NASA's Earth Resources infrared
imagry which can be used to depicit sedimentation patterns and levels. The
condition is at its worst on Red River, but it is also a serious problem on
many of the larger tributaries and nearby lakes, specifically Lake Bistineau,
Wallace Lake, Bodceau Bayou, Flat River, and Black Bayou. Because the problem
is extensive and multi-sourced", we do not feel there is one easy solution
(Red River bank stabilization) which will adequately solve the problem. How-
ever, since the banks of the Red River are prime erosion spots, Red River bank
stabilization work will be an important step in the right direction and should
significantly lower the Red River sedimentation load contributed from direct
runoff.

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Another area of continuing concern, but which was not mentioned in the
Assessment Report, is the limited information concerning flood plains and
ground water recharge areas. Many built-up lands have drainage problems,
often severe; which appear to be due to complex factors such as flood plain
development, high water tables, impermeable soils and increased urban runoff
from nearby areas, as well as merely inadequate drainage structures. In other
areas, ground water pollution is threatened when septic systems and landfills
are located without regard to highwater tables or too permeable soil mantles.

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