Funding for the project is from the district’s reserves for major replacement and repair, which the district has accumulated over many years, according to the executive director of the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District.
The St. Martin Parish Public Works Committee were previously notified of the plans for the upgrades at a parish council meeting on April 15.
The 80-year-old structure, built in 1945, and located south of Breaux Bridge, is known for mitigating the flow of water from the Bayou Teche to the Vermilion River. It is also known for holding up the water level in the Bayou Teche for navigation, recreation and tourism.
News 10 spoke with the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District on the upcoming plans for the Canal. The executive director of the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District, Donald Sagrera, says after 40 years, upgrades are needed.
“This existing structure is 80 years old,” said Sagrera. “This flow of fresh water is very critical because whenever it has not been raining, this could lead to a lack of sufficient flow in the Vermilion River.”
Sagrera says the structure has been closed off due to its aging infrastructure. To re-open the structure, he says crews will have to install a new bypass channel before removing the current one.
“We need to build a bypass channel around the current structure so that water flow and water management will not be disturbed while the new structure is being replaced,” said Sagrera. “Then we will dam off the old structure on each side and de-water it and replace it.””
In addition to allowing water mitigation for low flood stages, Sagrera says the Ruth Canal will also be able to prevent excess water from heavy rain from pushing into the Vermilion River, raising flood stages.
“Not only is it important from the standpoint of supplying a freshwater flow, but it’s also important for us to have a dependable structure that can control the excess water that we might have on the Teche side, and not letting it go to the Vermilion,” said Sagrera.
The project is expected to be completed in four years.
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