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Every year about this time, when the Mississippi begins to fill with snowmelt and rainwater from the north, talk begins again about the possibility of the Atchafalaya grabbing almost all of the water from the big river — with dire consequences on both of the streams.
All that keeps it from happening are control structures near Simmesport that regulate how much water can flow from the Mississippi into the Atchafalaya. Some people think it is inevitable that the Atchafalaya will scour a new path beneath the structures and they will be ruined. It’s almost happened during several big floods.
It’s not a new fear; the Atchafalaya’s scour power was causing concern at least as early as the 1880s, maybe before that.
In March 1883, the New Orleans Times-Democrat, reported, “The Atchafalaya has been growing year after year, until it now promises to become the main outlet of the Mississippi … A large portion of the Mississippi now goes down that stream … [and] the growth during the past few years has been at [an] extraordinary rate.”
The newspaper said the river was 40 feet deep when the New Orleans & Pacific Railroad first designed a bridge to cross the Atchafalaya at Churchville in St. Landry Parish.
“When, however, the actual work began, another sounding showed that the river had doubled its depth and was 80 feet deep,” the report continued. “All of the plans of the company had to be changed, [and] another sounding, taken in the meanwhile, showed that the stream had scoured out its channel to 120 feet — increasing three-fold in a few months.”
The newspaper warned that “the increase has been so extraordinary as to threaten to carry the whole river down the Atchafalaya.”
Something had to be done, and quickly, “otherwise the lower Mississippi will be closed to navigation and New Orleans left a dead city on a small and tributary stream.”
That was a dire outlook for the busiest port city in the South and for other communities on the lower Mississippi, but folks living on the lower Atchafalaya feared even worse.
The newspaper printed parts of a letter from Charenton in St. Mary Parish, dated Feb. 19, 1883, strongly suggesting “that the question which should agitate the minds of our engineers at present is, ‘How shall we prevent the Mississippi and Red rivers cutting their channels through the Atchafalaya river?’”
People living up and down the Atchafalaya back then still remembered how the river had swollen from a trickle to a torrent after a huge pile of logs that acted as a dam was dynamited in the name of navigation, and had also noticed that it had been growing steadily ever since.
That was bad news for planters, who were seeing their fields flooded more often and to new depths. Letting the Atchafalaya have its way, the Charenton letter said, would bring nothing but ruin,
“The inhabitants of this now beautiful region and rich land will be forced to abandon [their homes] with reluctance [and] seek safety in higher but poorer lands” the writer argued.
An unchecked Atchafalaya would “convert this beautiful garden spot of Louisiana into a waste of waters, to become the home of frogs, alligators, [and] snakes, … not fit to be habitable by humans.”
You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

LAFAYETTE PARISH – On May 10, shortly after 4:30 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop I was notified of a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 343 near Moon Court Road in Lafayette Parish.
The crash ultimately claimed the life of 59-year-old Lenh C. Vong of Kaplan.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed Vong was traveling north on LA 343 in a 2022 Honda Accord. As Vong slowed to make a right turn into a private driveway, she was struck from behind by a 2018 Dodge Durango being driven by 33-year-old Jessica Rodriguez of Rayne. After striking the Accord, both vehicles ran off the roadway.
Despite being restrained, Vong was critically injured. She was transported to a local hospital where she died as a result of her injuries. Rodriguez was not restrained but suffered only minor injuries. She was transported to a local hospital and treated before being released.
Standard toxicology results are pending for Vong. Rodriguez submitted a breath sample which indicated no alcohol present and she displayed no signs of impairment. She was cited for LA RS 32:58 Careless Operation and LA RS 32:295.1 No Seat Belt. This crash remained under investigation.
Louisiana State Troopers remind motorists that, while not all crashes are survivable, statistics show the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, not driving impaired, and not being distracted behind the wheel can often mean the difference between life and death.
Troop I has investigated 9 fatal crashes resulting in 11 deaths in 2022.

August 10, 1925 ~ May 8, 2022

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Olita Bourque Frederick, 96, who died Sunday, May 8, 2022 at Pelican Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery with Reverend Louis J. Richard officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Joseph Roy Frederick, Jr., Ryan Frederick, Dane Cessac, Matt Faulk, Kevin Manceaux, and Jacques LaViolette. Honorary pallbearers will be Elwood Dupuy, Justin Manceaux, and Parker LaViolette.
Maw was an extremely strong woman. She demonstrated how to love courageously through her actions and words. Whether it was a Sunday family lunch or coffee hour with her friends, she was known for her loyalty and good spirits. She was a kind, gentle soul with a firm grasp on life and family. She was a moral compass and a guide to life for many. The wisdom she engrained in many of us will be passed down as we experience this world. While she would sit under the oak tree snapping peas or shucking corn in her pink bucket, she was a listening ear to those who may need. She was a faithful woman, wife, and friend. Between her daily rosary and prayers, she always found the time to make sure everyone had what they needed. She will forever be a monumental memory for all who have encountered her. Beautiful and brilliant until the end, you will always be remembered. We love you.
She is survived by her two daughters, Janette F. Trahan of Maurice, and Maxine F. Dupuy and her husband, Elwood of Lafayette; son, Joseph Roy Frederick, Jr. of Abbeville; four grandchildren, Tricia T. Manceaux and her husband, Kevin of Maurice, Ryan J. Frederick and his wife, Trina of Abbeville, Jill Doucet of Abbeville, and Andrea D. Faulk and her husband, Matt of Maurice; and great grandchildren, Taylor LaViolette and her husband, Jacques, Justin Manceaux, Claire Frederick, Emily Frederick, Ava Grace Faulk, Dane Cessac, and Madison Cessac; and one great-great grandchild, Parker LaViolette.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Roy Frederick, Sr.; parents, Amar James Bourque and the former Lucette Duplantis; son, John David Frederick; and seven sisters.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 from 9:00 AM until time of services. A rosary will be prayed at 11:30 AM.
The Frederick family would like to thank the entire staff of Pelican Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation, where she had been under the loving care and support for 10 years. Also, a special thank you to her friends, Corona Romero and Patsy Richard.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

Bliss Romero LeBlanc has a full-time job as a nurse at Abbeville General Hospital and is the mother of three young children, all under five.
And if that isn’t enough to keep the 32-year-old Erath native busy, she also finds time to balance another role in her life, being the coach’s wife. LeBlanc’s husband Eric is the head football coach at their alma mater, Erath High School.
“It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it,” she said. “We take every day as they come and live by our schedules and calendar. Of course, our family always takes precedence, but when you love what you do, our family blends right on in.”
And she loves all aspects of her life, from work to being a mother to being a coach’s wife. She and Eric dated for 12 years, through high school and college at McNeese State University, before marrying on Jan. 16, 2015. They’ve since become the parents of Millie, 5 years old; Maggie, 3; and Elliott, one month old.
“I’d have to say it is very challenging being a working mother and wife with young children, but somehow as a mother, you find what’s necessary for yourself to ‘just do it,’” LeBlanc said. “The job is never done, there’s always something that needs tending to, but as a wife and mother, you make a way to get it done.”
Motherhood has its rewards, of course.
“Becoming a mother has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” she said. “Being entrusted and blessed to carry, nurture and love our children as their mother is ultimately one of the greatest gifts I could ever imagine.”
Nursing was her first choice for a career. She finished her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in four years at McNeese and became a registered nurse because she wanted to take care of people and help them heal in their most vulnerable times.
“I became a nurse to help impact the health and lives of others,” LeBlanc said. “Getting to work every day knowing that I will impact someone’s life and health is one of my favorite things about being a nurse.”
For the past three years, LeBlanc has worked five days a week, Monday through Friday, as a pre-operative nurse in the Outpatient Surgery Department at Abbeville General. It’s been challenging at times.
“Coming out of college with a nursing degree compared to now, I have grown in knowledge and realize that there is much more to nursing than I ever could have thought possible,” she said. “The world of nursing is constantly evolving and growing, and there is always something to learn as a nurse.
“Nursing, as a career, will always have its ups and downs. But, in general, I would have to say that the Coronavirus Pandemic since March of 2020 has been one of the toughest, most straining parts in my career as a nurse thus far.”
She said that having a husband who shares in the chores helps her maintain that balance between personal and professional obligations.
“He is a great teammate when helping around the house,” LeBlanc said. “We do share in the duties of household chores.”
The couple also gets support from both of their families.
“Our families are both blessings, each side contributing in their own ways” she said. “My mother has been one of our greatest supporters since having our children, whether it is pick-up from school, going to doctors’ appointments, being a chauffeur, getting the girls to dance, etc. You name it, and she’s there.”
Life becomes even more of a challenge during football season.
“Days are longer for Eric during the season, but we make it all work,” she said. “We adjust our schedules accordingly to him technically working 7 days out the week. It’s definitely hard to plan anything during football season, hence our wedding in January!”
The kids are still young but already enjoy football season.
“The LeBlanc family bleeds Bobcat Blue! Our girls definitely enjoy going to the Bobcat football games!” LeBlanc said. “They always light up seeing their Daddy on the game field, and some of our favorite memories have been made in those bleachers. Our little girls understand that Daddy is a coach and have been around the game since birth. We can’t wait for our baby boy to experience his first Bobcat football game this season!”