Prien Lake

Prien Lake is a lake in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.[2]

Prien Lake
Prien Lake and the Israel LaFleur Bridge
Location of Prien Lake in Louisiana, USA.
Location of Prien Lake in Louisiana, USA.
Prien Lake
Location of Prien Lake in Louisiana, USA.
Location of Prien Lake in Louisiana, USA.
Prien Lake
LocationCalcasieu Parish, Louisiana,
United States
Coordinates30.1816152°N 93.2890944°W / 30.1816152; -93.2890944
Primary inflowsCalcasieu Ship Channel
Primary outflowsCalcasieu Ship Channel
Catchment area2,900 acres (1,200 ha)[1]
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length2 mi (3.2 km)[1]
Max. width1 mi (1.6 km)[1]
Surface area997 acres (403 ha)[1]
Surface elevation0 ft (0 m)[2]
SettlementsPrien, Louisiana

It is located west of Prien, Louisiana, and south of the Israel LaFleur Bridge. The city of Lake Charles is located to the northeast.

History

Prien Lake was historically located along the Calcasieu River. Construction of the Calcasieu Ship Channel was completed in 1941, and included the construction of the Rose Bluff Cutoff, northwest of Prien Lake. The cutoff enabled a more efficient navigational route, and isolated Prien Lake from the direct flow of the river.[3][4]

Prien Lake connects to the Calcasieu Ship Channel at three places on the north and west sides of the lake.[1]

The land is owned by the Fobbs family. The Fobbs family is in the process of getting their land back.

Characteristics

Development within the Prien Lake watershed is 36 percent commercial or residential, and 5 percent industrial.[1]

The lake has several wetlands which are considered sensitive environments.[1]

The lake's designated uses, according to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, are recreation, and the propagation of fish and wildlife. Prien Lake supports both recreational and commercial fishing, and fish species include croaker, redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum.[1][5]

Two public parks provide access to Prien Lake. Prien Lake Park has a public boat launch, parking, and picnic areas. LaFleur Park has a boat launch, beach for swimming, parking, and picnic areas.[5]

References
  1. "Total Maximum Daily Load for Toxics for the Calcasieu Estuary" (PDF). United States Environmental Protection Agency. May 2002.
  2. "Prien Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. Block, W. T. "A History of Channelization of the Calcasieu River". USGenWeb. Archived from the original on 2014-10-20. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  4. "Rose Bluff Cutoff". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  5. "Where to Fish in the Lake Charles Area". Gulf Coast Council Federation of Fly Fishers. Archived from the original on 2014-08-11. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
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