New weir complete, closed on Cross Bayou; Larto-Saline refill begins

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said construction of the new Cross Bayou Weir, located in the Larto-Saline Complex south of here, is complete.
The water control structure is now closed, allowing the lake to refill and return to pool stage with adequate rainfall.
Repeated blowouts of the original weir during flooding events, followed by emergency repairs made it necessary to move forward with the construction of a much more substantial structure.
The weir was originally constructed in 1987 as a measure to restore water flow from the Black River.
It was advocated by the Lake Larto Game and Fish Commission, formed in the early 1980's, and guided through the Dept. of Public Works and the Legislature by then-Sen. Joe McPherson.
The hydrology of the vast Larto-Saline Complex was seriously impaired by a series of Army Corps of Engineers projects.
Installation of the weir was instrumental in the restoration of the complex, and as a result, one of the most productive crappie fisheries in Louisiana was returned to recreational anglers.
Also leading to the demise was uninhibited run-off from agricultural operations which developed in former hardwood bottomlands along the banks of its bayous and lakes.
That influenced changed after efforts by the Rapides Wildlife Association resulted in court orders prohibiting it.