It’s a big lake with lots of water most of the year.
Most of the year water flows over the spillway.
Water flowing over the Caddo Lake spillway helps flush the lake of siltation and Salvina detritus which builds up on the lakebed, which results in the lake becoming shallower. The overflow is a critical factor in maintaining the lake’s fragile ecosystem.
The water level of Caddo Lake is dependent on the water supply from Lake of the Pines, rainfall, evaporation, and withdrawal from the lake by residents and businesses along the lake and by the Blanchard water system.
Large amounts of water withdrawn from the lake can, during certain times of the year, adversely affect the amount of water in the lake and the resultant spillage overflow as well as the lake’s ecosystem.
The Town of Blanchard has a water allotment from the state of Louisiana to pull 5 million gallons of water per day (MGD). During hot summer months Blanchard usually withdraws 3.5 MGD.
It is reported that the proposed data center near Caddo Lake will initially need 1.5 MGD from the Blanchard water system. Ultimately the data center will need 5 MG, which will require Blanchard to get an increased water allotment.
There is no doubt that the water withdrawn per day from the lake has a direct impact on the amount of water flowing over the lake’s spillway, and the lake’s ecosystem.
There is no doubt that the amount of water withdrawn from the lake has a direct impact on the buildup of siltation and Salvina detritus.
There is no doubt that the amount of water withdrawn from the lake has a direct impact on the water level of the lake.
There is no doubt that excessive withdrawal of water from Caddo Lake will have an adverse effect on the water levels in the lake, the water flowing over the lake’s spillway and the lake’s ecosystem.
The $64 thousand dollar question is how much water can Blanchard withdraw from Caddo Lake for its regular customers and a proposed data center without stopping the waterflow over the lake?
Put another way, what impact will there be on the lake’s ecosystem with more MGD withdrawal from the lake?
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.