Q: Thanks for taking questions for Times Talk. I would really be interested in the paper giving us an update on the $7 million project that will pump water from Hampton Lake into Cane River Lake during low water periods. The last I read was the pipe was in place to move the water into the bayou and into the Cane River and the Cane River Commission was waiting on permits to begin construction on the actual pumping station. This was shared several months ago.
Thanks, Robert
A: By Carolyn Roy
carolyn@natchitochestimes.com
Cane River Waterway Commission Chairman Jim Rhodes said Tuesday morning that the project to install pumps on Cane River is on schedule with a projected completion by the end of the year, weather permitting. Rhoades said contractors are now waiting on equipment to arrive from the manufacturer. Access is difficult because of recent rains. “We’ve been very fortunate because there have been no low levels in the river,” Rhoades said. The project will facilitate pumping water from Red River into Cane River during low levels. Land acquisition and pipeline installation are complete with pump installation remaining. The project will cost from $6-$7 million. The money was in reserve and has been generated from a 6 mill tax levied by the Cane River Waterway Commission. Once the construction is complete, the commission will oversee the maintenance and upkeep of the pump structure.