Sunday, 8 April 2018

ATCHAFALAYA BASIN


One of my favorite drives is the 18 mile bridge on US 10 that crosses the Henderson Swamp on the west end of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. 


The Henderson Swamp is approximately 7,000 square acres and is the best known area of the Atchafalaya Swamp. The Interstate 10 bisects it and gives you a great view of the Henderson Swamp from the I-10 Bridge.
vast swamp is from the bridge.
Atchafalaya is an American Indian word meaning long river. The Basin is about 20 miles wide (east to west) and 150 miles in length.



The Atchafalaya Basin is the nation's largest river swamp, containing one million acres of bottom land hardwoods, swamps, bayous and backwater lakes. 


The Basin is the largest existing wetland in the country, even larger than the Florida Everglades. It is considered the most culturally rich and ecologically varied regions in the US.  

It is home to the Florida panther, black bear, bobcat, nutria, mink, ox, muskrat, beaver, otter and raccoon. There are more than 100 different species of fish and aquatic life in the Basin. It is estimated the average annual commercial harvest if 22 million pounds of crawfish. Over 250 known species of birds fly in the Basin and there are 65 species of reptiles and amphibians that inhabit the Basin.







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