Leon Theriot Lock System opens

Four years after work began, the South Lafourche Levee and Conservation District dedicated the new Leon Theriot Lock System near Golden Meadow.

“It takes a community to raise a child and, evidently, it takes a community to build a lock sytem,” levee district general manager Windell Curole told onlookers at Thursday’s ceremony.

Terrebonne Parish Levee Director Reggie Dupre, who as a former state senator helped secure funding for the lock system, said the project is a testament to the world in which coastal Louisiana resides. He called the project “a cat that has survived many lives.”

Parish President Charlotte Randolph said constructing a lock system is not a normal duty for levee and conservation district. She said Curole and the South Lafourche Levee Board recognized the inefficiencies of the Leon Theriot Floodgate and opted to change the scope of the project.

“Due to the increased need to close the floodgate to avoid flooding and, at the same time, increase the need to provide navigation from the Gulf’s Intracoastal Waterway to Port Fourchon, the need for the lock was painfully obvious,” Curole explained. “Now, we can help prevent the situation of exposing fishing fleet and marine traffic to hurricane storm surges.”

Garrett Graves, director of Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, said the lock system is vital to the maritime industry.

“Now, the structure can stop the flow of flood water and saltwater intrusion and allow the maritime boats to reach a safe harbor and continue helping the parish thrive,” Graves said.

Sen. Norby Chabert (D-Houma) was on hand to give thanks to the South Lafourche Levee District and all those who contributed to existence of the Leon Theriot Lock System.

“No disrespect to (Terrebonne) Parish President Michel Claudet or to the Terrebonne Levee Board, but the South Lafourche Levee District is a fine example how to get a job done,” he said. “The Leon Theriot Lock is a testament to the levee board and the community. ‘Cajun ingenuity’ going a long way.”

The lock system is a metamorphism of the Golden Meadow Floodgate that was erected back in 1982. The levee district completed the project three years later.

The floodgate was renamed the Leon Theriot Floodgate in 2000 after longtime Levee District Board President Leon J. Theriot.

According to Curole, Theriot served as president of from 1980 until his death in 1999.

Curole said Theriot was relentless in his effort helping to control flooding in the lower Lafourche.

History states that about 10 percent of the South Lafourche ring levee system was complete when he took office. The system was completed and encompassed five to six modern pump stations.

His wife, Laura Theriot, was present at the dedication. She said having the floodgate and the lock system bear her husband’s name is a great honor.

“When he chose the levee district leaders he got great employees,” she said. “Mr. Curole and Mr. (Ronald) Callais (board president) are doing a wonderful job in leading the levee district into the future.”

Windell Curole, South Lafourche Levee and Conservation District executive director, and Robert Callais, levee district board president, address the public during the dedication of the Leon Theriot Lock System in Golden Meadow. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER