Red River Facts

• The continuing mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is bank stabilization, dikes, dragging, and revetments on the Red River.
• The navigation channel is maintained at 9 feet deep and 200 feet wide.
• The amount of river silt that passes the visitor center every second in the river is 27,154 cubic inches.
• Retuning to commercial navigation on the Red River requires ports on the Red River.  There are ports at: Alexandria, Natchitoches, Coushatta, and Shreveport.
• Two years ago the Port of Shreveport-Bossier handled over 2 million tons of goods.  The relative energy efficiency of barge versus train or truck is important in this time of high gas prices.
• Recreation on the Red River consists of bass tournaments, fishing, and boating with parks and campgrounds developed along the river by the Corps and the Red River Water Commission.
• Located on a major tributary of the Red River is Bayou Bodcau Dam & Reservoir, 34,000 acre wildlife management and forestry area open to the public for camping, fishing, hiking, horse riding, and hunting