LARTO – A low-water dam that regulates flow of quality river water into the vast Larto-Saline Lakes complex east of Alexandria has failed, causing a continuing substantial drop in the lakes’ water level.

The dam is a weir on Cross Bayou. It allows inflow of Black River water into the system, an inflow that once was accomplished naturally but changed when hydrology was altered in the 1970s by agriculture practices, construction of the Catahoula Lake Diversion Canal and development of the Red River Waterway.

The weir and similar structures on Long Branch and Open Mouth Bayous are credited with restoring the lakes complex as a viable sport fishery.

Absence of the Black River water on a regular basis in the system precluded an annual “flushing” of the system.

Wildlife and Fisheries officials are assessing the damage and said repairs will begin as soon as possible. Such work is hampered by the remote location.