Morganza Spillway emergency use to divert additional water from the Mississippi River into the Morganza floodway, which merges downstream with the Atchafalaya floodway before entering the Gulf. Diversion of water from the Mississippi's main channel has the effect of lowering water level in the Mississippi downstream of the spillway, helping to relieve stress on levees and other flood control structures both upstream and down. Besides controlling flooding in a given event, the system is also designed to prevent the Mississippi River from permanently altering course down the Atchafalaya River, bypassing Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Water that passes the Morganza Spillway first
Morganza, Louisiana were below the poverty line, including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over. The Morganza Police Department is a municipal police agency located in the village of Morganza, Louisiana. The department patrols an area of approximately in this rural town located in northern Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. The town's population is approximately 659 (2000 census). The head of this agency is an appointed official, with the position currently held by Chief of Police Brett Robillard. In addition to the chief, the department has one (1) full-time officer, and at least five (5) part-time