Atchafalaya Basin from the Mississippi, Red and Black rivers is diverted into the Atchafalaya at the Old River Control Structure. This flow diverts on average 25 percent of the Mississippi River flow down the Atchafalaya. In times of extreme flooding, the US Army Corps of Engineers may open the Morganza Spillway and other spillways to relieve pressure on levees and control structures along the Mississippi. On May 13, 2011, in the face of a rising Mississippi River that threatened to flood New Orleans and other heavily populated parts of Louisiana, the USACE ordered the Morganza Spillway opened for the first time since
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