Low Sill Structure
One of the dams used to control the Mississippi River and prevent
it from changing its course to the Atchafalaya distributary. The
dam was finished in 1963, and sits on a manmade outflow channel that runs
between the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya. It is 170m wide with 11 gates
so that flow rate may be controlled. Ideally, 70% of the flow is directed
to the Mississippi, and 30% is allowed down the Atchafalaya. In 1973, the
river was very high and caused part of the Low Sill Structure to collapse.
It was rebuilt, although with some modifications. At the present time,
it is still controlling the flow with the help of the Auxiliary structure
further south.
http://users.stlcc.edu/jangert/oldriver/oldriver.html
