Consultants recommend upstream ponds and Far Canal cleaning in Iberia Parish T Bayou study
June 25, 2026 | Iberia Parish, Louisiana
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Consultants presented a planning-level drainage study for the T Bayou watershed on June 25 in Iberia Parish and recommended a combined approach of upstream detention ponds and cleaning Far Canal to reduce flooding in more frequent storms.
Brooke, a presenter with Finstermaker, said the team updated an earlier 2012 model with new topographic survey, 2017 LIDAR and 2025 land-cover data, and newer rainfall statistics (Atlas 14). Using the revised model the team tested more than 10 scenarios — channel widening, a diversion to Bayou Teche, and detention ponds — and concluded that a combination of storage ponds upstream of T Bayou together with clearing Far Canal produced the best trade-off of benefit and feasibility. "The maximum reduction that was seen is 14 inches," Brooke said, describing the largest modeled lowering of the 10-year water-surface elevation between the hospital and Millervitt.
The consultant estimated the proposed system of upstream ponds would provide just over 200 acre-feet of temporary storage across roughly 25 surface acres and that implementing the ponds with Far Canal cleaning would remove inundation across about 500 acres in the model's 10-year storm simulation.
Dax, who identified himself as working with Fence2Maker and who participated in an earlier cleaning effort, said detention ponds have reduced flooding in nearby parishes and emphasized practical limits: "This is not foolproof. Houses are not gonna flood — that's why there's flood insurance," he said, adding that subdivision-level drainage condition and local ditches or undersized culverts can still cause localized flooding even when the larger system improves.
Consultants and residents discussed alternatives. Widening T Bayou in places produced larger modeled reductions (upward of 19 inches in some upstream reaches) but was constrained by right-of-way limits, nearby built structures and utility lines; widening would also likely trigger bridge replacements or major property acquisition, the team said. The team reported that sensitivity testing of downstream boundary conditions showed the lake's influence does not reach far upstream in most modeled events, so dredging Lake Dautrie (or Lake Fawcett Point) would have limited benefit for the neighborhoods already identified as at risk.
The consultant outlined next steps: secure funding, perform a feasibility-level analysis to refine pond sizing and control structures, address land-acquisition and servitude issues for pond siting, produce design documents, and then proceed to permitting and construction. Brooke said the study outputs could support an update to FEMA base flood elevations for portions of the watershed, which affects building elevations and flood-insurance premiums.
The parish president (introduced at the meeting) said the parish will pursue state funds and GOMESA dollars and urged rapid updates to local drainage ordinances and a parish drainage master plan so future development holds stormwater on site at higher design standards.
Cost was discussed at a high level. The consultants gave a preliminary ballpark for the recommended ponds plus Far Canal cleaning of about $12.5 million, excluding any large-scale lake or Corps of Engineers dredging work. The team cautioned that feasibility-level study and benefit-cost analysis would be required to refine costs and to target funding sources such as the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), GOMESA-derived funding, or federal programs.
Residents asked for more granular numbers — how many houses would benefit, exact pond locations, and how the plan would interact with ongoing subdivision construction. Consultants said those questions will be addressed in the feasibility phase and reiterated that acquiring suitable land for ponds is likely to be one of the project's larger hurdles. The meeting closed with an invitation for further one-on-one conversations with the project team.
Next steps: the parish and consultants will pursue funding and a feasibility-level analysis; no formal vote or commitment to construction was made at the meeting.
Brooke, a presenter with Finstermaker, said the team updated an earlier 2012 model with new topographic survey, 2017 LIDAR and 2025 land-cover data, and newer rainfall statistics (Atlas 14). Using the revised model the team tested more than 10 scenarios — channel widening, a diversion to Bayou Teche, and detention ponds — and concluded that a combination of storage ponds upstream of T Bayou together with clearing Far Canal produced the best trade-off of benefit and feasibility. "The maximum reduction that was seen is 14 inches," Brooke said, describing the largest modeled lowering of the 10-year water-surface elevation between the hospital and Millervitt.
The consultant estimated the proposed system of upstream ponds would provide just over 200 acre-feet of temporary storage across roughly 25 surface acres and that implementing the ponds with Far Canal cleaning would remove inundation across about 500 acres in the model's 10-year storm simulation.
Dax, who identified himself as working with Fence2Maker and who participated in an earlier cleaning effort, said detention ponds have reduced flooding in nearby parishes and emphasized practical limits: "This is not foolproof. Houses are not gonna flood — that's why there's flood insurance," he said, adding that subdivision-level drainage condition and local ditches or undersized culverts can still cause localized flooding even when the larger system improves.
Consultants and residents discussed alternatives. Widening T Bayou in places produced larger modeled reductions (upward of 19 inches in some upstream reaches) but was constrained by right-of-way limits, nearby built structures and utility lines; widening would also likely trigger bridge replacements or major property acquisition, the team said. The team reported that sensitivity testing of downstream boundary conditions showed the lake's influence does not reach far upstream in most modeled events, so dredging Lake Dautrie (or Lake Fawcett Point) would have limited benefit for the neighborhoods already identified as at risk.
The consultant outlined next steps: secure funding, perform a feasibility-level analysis to refine pond sizing and control structures, address land-acquisition and servitude issues for pond siting, produce design documents, and then proceed to permitting and construction. Brooke said the study outputs could support an update to FEMA base flood elevations for portions of the watershed, which affects building elevations and flood-insurance premiums.
The parish president (introduced at the meeting) said the parish will pursue state funds and GOMESA dollars and urged rapid updates to local drainage ordinances and a parish drainage master plan so future development holds stormwater on site at higher design standards.
Cost was discussed at a high level. The consultants gave a preliminary ballpark for the recommended ponds plus Far Canal cleaning of about $12.5 million, excluding any large-scale lake or Corps of Engineers dredging work. The team cautioned that feasibility-level study and benefit-cost analysis would be required to refine costs and to target funding sources such as the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), GOMESA-derived funding, or federal programs.
Residents asked for more granular numbers — how many houses would benefit, exact pond locations, and how the plan would interact with ongoing subdivision construction. Consultants said those questions will be addressed in the feasibility phase and reiterated that acquiring suitable land for ponds is likely to be one of the project's larger hurdles. The meeting closed with an invitation for further one-on-one conversations with the project team.
Next steps: the parish and consultants will pursue funding and a feasibility-level analysis; no formal vote or commitment to construction was made at the meeting.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
