CPRA has coordinated with several parish governments in South-Central Louisiana to enhance flood protection and supplement parish-led drainage efforts. These efforts are part of the greater, long-term flood protection efforts in the region that will protect vulnerable communities in Vermilion, Iberia, and St. Mary parishes from storm surge in Vermilion Bay and West Cote Blanche Bay.

LITTLE VALLEY BAYOU (TV-0092), RUTTEN RILL ROAD CANAL (TV0094), & STUMPY BAYOU (TV-0095)

High tides driven by sustained southerly winds often back water into these drainage canals, reducing their ability to carry rainfall away from nearby neighborhoods. To restore reliable drainage and improve storage capacity, CPRA and Iberia Parish are advancing new water control structures across Little Valley Bayou, Rutten Rill Road Canal, and Stumpy Bayou.

Designs include precast concrete box culverts or corrugated metal pipes, flap gates, and trash racks to block high-tide inflow and protect canal banks.

IBERIA/ST. MARY UPLAND LEVEE SYSTEM (TV-0102)

The Iberia/St. Mary Upland Levee is one of the parish’s largest coastal protection investments, with ongoing modeling, engineering, and design for the proposed system. New features within Commercial Canal and Delcambre Canal, including barge gates and pump stations, will help move water out faster during storms. Modeling is underway, and design is expected to begin in 2026.

ABBEVILLE AND FRANKLIN AND VICINITY (N/A)

Looking ahead, CPRA continues coordination on additional protection initiatives in the region, including the proposed Abbeville and Franklin and Vicinity project, which would provide further flood risk reduction for surrounding communities.