$1b Comite River Diversion Canal north of Baton Rouge, LA

Eastern Entrance: (Satellite, it had yet to show up on a satellite image when I accessed it in Sep 2026.)

USACE, New Orleans District posted four photos with the comment:

At the eastern entrance of the Comite River Diversion Channel, a control structure is taking shape. Work on its foundation is well underway, with approximately 1,588 of 2,272 H-piles driven into the ground. More than 3,000 cubic yards of concrete have also been placed on top of the piles to support the foundation.

This control structure is a critical component of the channel and is designed to divert flood flows from the Comite River into the new diversion channel. From there, the channel will carry water approximately 12 miles toward the Mississippi River.

With each pile driven and each cubic yard of concrete placed, this project continues to take shape bringing a major component of the Comite River Diversion closer to completion and advancing flood risk reduction for the Capital Region.

[According to some comments, it started in 1982, and it was a real shame it wasn't ready for the 2016 flood.]

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LADOT
"The project will consist of a 12 mile long diversion channel from the Comite River to the Mississippi River, a diversion structure at the Comite River, guide levees, Lilly Bayou control structure, four drop structures at the intersections of the diversion channel with McHugh Road, Bayou Baton Rouge, Cypress Bayou, and White Bayou, and Highway and Railroad Bridges. Low-flow augmentation pumps at the intercepted streams and an earthen closure at Brooks Lake, clearing and snagging of Bayou Baton Rouge, White Bayou and Cypress Bayou north of the diversion channel will reduce flooding in those areas."

USACE

Some of the channel segments have had work done.

Satellite

Jan 2026:

UnfilteredWithKiran
All of the contracts have finally been awarded and the completion target is (the end of ) 2Q 2028.
"Originally, the project was the product of two catastrophic floods that happened in the basin in 1977 and 1983, which spurred Congress to explore funding flood mitigation measures in the area. The project has been ongoing since August of 1991 and is estimated to cost $1 billion by completion."