Bayou Lafourche navigation to be altered

Navigating Bayou Lafourche just south of Golden Meadow is expected to change for several months to allow workers to construct a lock structure north of the Leon Theriot floodgates.

According to the South Lafourche Levee District, the entity overseeing the lock placement, a bypass channel will be erected some 400 feet north of the floodgate. The channel will allow vessels to pass while construction work is under way.

The bypass channel is expected to be in place for the next six to 12 months.

Levee district officials said the bypass channel has been designed to handle large vessels, but it is likely that larger tows with multiple barges will have to be broken up or have the help of an aid vessel to safely navigate the temporary passage.

Once construction begins in the coming weeks, levee district officials said most navigation of the bayou in the construction zone will be permitted only at night.

According to a press release issued by the levee district, there will be instances when closures of Bayou Lafourche will be required for periods up to 48 hours. On the occasions where a closure of the bayou is necessary, public notice will be given 72 hours before the waterway is closed.

For more information on an expected schedule of closures, citizens can monitor the South Lafourche Levee District Web site at www.slld.net or call the office at (985) 632-7554 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Once work is completed near the end of the year, the lock will provide marine vessels safe passage into the levee protection system during high water and flood events.

Without the lock system, mariners risked being locked out of the protection system once the floodgates were closed.