ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. — A quiet but vital piece of south Louisiana’s water infrastructure is finally set for replacement. The Ruth Canal structure, built in 1945 to manage the flow between Bayou Teche and the Vermilion River, will undergo a complete overhaul as part of an $8 million project led by the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District.
The aging structure, which has served the region for eight decades, remains operational for now. However, officials say it is approaching the end of its usable life. Donald Sagrera, executive director of the Fresh Water District, emphasized the importance of acting before a failure occurs.
“It’s very important to maintain a flow of water in these water bodies, and one of the canals that helps us do that is the Ruth Canal,” Sagrera said.
The canal plays a critical role in the health of Bayou Teche, which stretches from Port Barre through St. Landry, St. Martin, and Iberia Parishes. By pumping clean freshwater into the bayou, the structure helps reduce pollution, prevent stagnation, and block saltwater intrusion into the lower watershed.
“The water that is being pumped in is good, clean water,” Sagrera explained. “So it reduces pollution by introducing this clean water into the watershed.”
Although many nearby residents were unaware the structure existed, it has been quietly regulating water levels in Bayou Teche for generations. Sagrera noted that the canal currently holds the bayou at a level about four feet higher than it would otherwise be — a difference that is crucial for maintaining adequate water flow in the upper reaches of the system.
“If this structure were not in place, the Bayou Teche would have four feet less water in it right now,” he said.
Construction is expected to take up to four years. To ensure uninterrupted water flow during the replacement, crews will build a bypass channel that will divert water around the site as the original structure is decommissioned and rebuilt.
“It’s going to take the water from the upstream side of the structure, bring it around to the downstream side, and the water will flow through that bypass while the structure is being replaced,” Sagrera said.
Despite initial surprise from some locals, community response has been largely supportive — particularly from those who understand the environmental and economic importance of healthy waterways in the region. Residents say they hope the project stays on schedule and delivers the long-term benefits promised.
With funding drawn from the district’s long-standing reserve for major repairs and replacements, officials say the Ruth Canal upgrade is both necessary and financially responsible. Once complete, the new structure is expected to secure the region’s freshwater supply and ecosystem health for decades to come.