News
Launch Information, Career Opportunities, and Website Updates
2024 Economic Impact Study for Red River Waterway
The findings from the 2024 Economic Impact Study of the Red River Waterway by Dr. Loren Scott & Associates illustrate the importance of the Red River Waterway Project on the local and regional economy. See the link below for a summary of the study. 2024 Economic Impact Study for Red River Waterway
Red River Waterway Commission and Other Groups Study Depth of J Bennett Johnston Waterway
https://www.ksla.com/2024/06/18/ladotd-other-groups-study-depth-j-bennett-johnston-waterway/
Red River Waterway Commission Completes Construction of New Amenities at Grand Ecore Recreation Area and RV Park
The Red River Waterway Commission is excited to announce new improvements to the Grand Ecore Recreation Area and RV Park located in Natchitoches, LA. The recreation area is located off LA Hwy-6, at 1071 Tauzin Island Road. The Grand Ecore Recreation area was first developed in 2001 and consists of a 3-lane boat launch with 100 paved parking spaces, restrooms, and a 300-foot floating dock with 8...
Red River Waterway Commission at 2024 Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo in Tulsa
Red River Waterway Commission
The Red River Waterway Commission (RRWC) works to foster economic growth and recreational development
GOOD NEWS ! We now have 3.8 miles of continuous single-track cross-country trails open for mountain bike riding and running. Vanguard Trailworks, LLC worked really hard over the past few weeks to get a fun and scenic continuous trail loop open just in time for the group ride organized by Flugers Bossier City; Bicycle & Outdoors this Sunday at 5:30 PM. As you can see on the map, the 3.8 miles is a combination of green and blue trails. If you don’t want to ride the blue trails, you can ride the 2.25 mile green loop and use Winding Ridge Road as a connector. At least for now, the trails will be one direction for bikers and runners, that being clockwise. As also shown on the map, you currently have to use the lake levee as a connector for the trail loop. The trails are open to mountain bikers and runners. We are asking mountain bikers and runners to be courteous and respectful to one another. We have posted temporary signage for the trails. Vanguard will continue working on the remaining 2.2 miles of trail to complete the total 6 miles included in this phase. We are currently in the bidding process for the construction of the remaining 8.5 miles of single-track planned for the park. If that project is awarded, construction will begin this Fall.
We also have 10 miles of existing wider multi-use trails for hiking, running and bike riding. These are just the more narrow bike-optimized singletrack trails.
ENJOY !!
Trail Design by Rogue Trails and KSA Engineers. 1North Adventure Trails is a wildlife habitat and recreation area brought to you by the vision and commitment of the Commissioners of the Red River Waterway District. Local Commissioners Ronald Lattier, Commissioner representing Caddo Parish, and Versa Clark, Commissioner at Large
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About Us
The work of the Red River Waterway Commission represents the seven-parish Red River Waterway District that encompasses Caddo, Bossier, Red River, Natchitoches, Grant, Rapides, and Avoyelles Parishes. Commissioners are appointed from each of those parishes, plus four at-large commissioners also serve.
OUR HISTORY
After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, settlers flooded the Red River Valley. River transportation at that time was primarily keelboats, flatboats, pirogues, rafts and bateaus. Navigating the river was complicated by log jams, or “raft.” The most famous of these was “The Great Raft” extending from Natchitoches to Shreveport. It wasimpassable even to the Indians.
Recognizing the growth potential for the river, a well-known inventor and engineer, Captain Henry Miller Shreve, offered the U.S. government a plan to clear the river in 1824. With a steam snag boat of his own design, Shreve eliminated the raft at a cost of $300,000, less than 10% of previous estimates. Thus, the Red River became navigable from its mouth north for several hundred miles. But despite the success, efforts to keep the river clear ended with the outbreak of the Civil War.
It wasn’t until the River and Harbors Act of 1968, that the 90th Congress authorized construction of the Red River Waterway project. Since completion of the 5 locks & dams in 1994, it has served as a year-round waterway connecting ports north and south for businesses the world over.
Contact
P.O. Box 776
5941 Hwy 1 Bypass
Natchitoches, LA 71458
Report River Hazards
To report a hazard or any other dangerous situation or issue on the Red River, please contact the United States Coast Guard, the Red River Waterway Commission, and the local Sheriff’s office where the incident has occurred.
USCG Sector Lower Mississippi River (SLMR)
2 Auction Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105
Voice: 901-521-4824
Fax: 901-544-3886
For complete information on the river, visit the following River Guage links:
Shreveport River Gauge
Coushatta River Gauge
Grand Ecore River Gauge
Alexandria River Gauge
Red River Waterway Commission
Office: (800) 874-9431
Email: marcuslong@redriverwaterway.com
Hazard Reports
Pool 5 (Shreveport gauge)
When river levels reach 21 with a predicted continual rise, the public boat ramps at Stoner Avenue and Teague Parkway Recreation Areas will close. When river levels reach 26 with a predicted continual rise, the public boat ramps at North Caddo and Bishop Point Recreation areas will close
Pool 4 (Coushatta gauge)
When river levels reach 29 with a predicted continual rise, the public boat ramp at Coushatta Recreation Area will close. When river levels reach 30.5 with a predicted continual rise, the public boat ramp at Red Oak Recreation Area will close.
Pools 3 (Grand Ecore gauge)
When river levels reach 32 with a predicted continual rise, the public boat ramps at Grand Ecore, Natchitoches, St. Maurice, Montgomery, Red Bayou & Colfax Recreation Areas will close.
Pools 1 & 2 (Alexandria gauge)
When river levels reach 25 with a predicted continual rise, the public boat ramps at Alexandria Levee Park, Ft. Buhlow & Ben Routh Recreation Areas will close. When river levels reach 28 with a predicted continual rise, the public boat ramps at Boyce, Lock & Dam No.2, Poland & Brouillette will close.