Lost Lake Dam

ATCHAFALAYA BASINKEEPER

February 6, 2023

Another victory on our long fight to protect the Lost Lake ecosystem. A permit application to build a dam across a waterway connecting Lost Lake to the rest of the Basin was withdrawn by the Army Corps of Engineering (USACE).

Dams are extremely damaging to the ecosystems and the fishermen, they alter waterflows, stop fish migration and block public access to lakes and wetlands.

The battle to protect this lake has been long and hard:

First illegal dam. In 2006 a dam was built across the waterway. Basinkeeper and LCPA-West complained to  the USACE, who in turn issued a Cease and Desist Order t in 2007. After learning that the illegal developer applied and was waiting for an after-the-fact-permit, Basinkeeper and LCPA-West filed suit in 2008. The case was resolved when the illegal developer agreed to remove the illegal dam, illegal pumps and illegal boathouse in 2009, charges dismissed in 2010.

Second illegal dam. In 2015 another unpermitted illegal dam was built across the same waterway. The illegal dam was partially destroyed by fishermen during the spring in 2016. Represented by Tulane, Basinkeeper and LCPA-West sent a Notice of Intent to Sue to the illegal developer in an attempt to stop the reconstruction of the dam. The dam was never rebuilt.

Third attempt to build the dam. In 2021, a permit application to build the dam went for public notice. Atchafalaya Basinkeeper and our allies sent strong legal comments against the issuing of this permit during the Christmas holidays in 2021. The USACE just withdrew the permit application in 2023. This decision by the Corps is greatly welcome by all of us.

Let’s hope this third time is the last. We won’t be holding our breath.