Atchafalaya, Henderson Swamp, I-10 Welcome Center
The above kayak route map in the Henderson Swamp area of the Atchafalaya Basin starts at the Public Boat Launch on Interstate 10 just next to the Atchafalaya Welcome Center. This was the third time I had tried to launch here. The first time the water in Henderson Swamp was low, making it a mud flat, and the launch was closed. The second time the parking lot was packed with trucks and trailers because it was the first day of waterfowl season. Not such a good time to be paddling around and, although the hunting day ends at 2 p.m, I left rather than wait till afternoon. This time, a late winter trip, I drove in from Dallas in the morning (yeah it’s like six hours) and launched about 1 o’clock or so. As the pictures show, the day was overcast and chilly. And the water was high, the gages for ‘Atchafalaya at Butte La Rose’, and ‘Lake Pelba at I-10’, were both at about 14.7. I think those are the relevant gages. As a result most everything was flooded pretty good. A lower level makes things a bit more maze-like, at this level you can pretty much go anywhere unimpeded. The route goes up to the canal that comes off the West Dixie Indian Bayou Launch, then goes down and around the west side of the swamp before returning to the launch. This is a big area with lots to paddle and can change character depending on the season and the water level. Lake Fausse Pointe State Park is about 30 minutes away, to the south along Levee Road.
Above: The Interstate 10 launch site near the Atchafalaya Welcome Center. The two bridges are the east and west lanes of Interstate 10. Note the yellow sign, BEWARE OF SNAKES. It’s good advice, but what is it about this place, how many snakes are we talking about?
Above: Overcast day on Henderson Swamp.
Above: Looks cold, but come summer you want it back.
Above: The sun peeked out for a bit, brightening things up.
