Lake St. Catherine
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Lake St. Catherine | |
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Location | Louisiana |
Coordinates | |
Lake type | brackish water |
Primary inflows | Fort Pike Canal, Sawmill Pass, Marques Canal, Unknown Pass, Miller's Ditch, Catherine Pass and Counterfit Pass |
Basin countries | United States |
Islands | New Orleans East Land Bridge |
Lake St. Catherine is a brackish-water lake between Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne in Louisiana. Between Lake St. Catherine and Lake Borgne was the original Town of Lake St. Catherine established between Unknown Pass and Miller's Ditch it was settled for railroad workers, trappers, hunters and fishermen. The 1915 Hurricane destroyed the town and thirty-five people lost their lives by remaining in the town. It was rebuilt with a number of hunting and fishing clubs being established along with the railroad workers and the Rigolets Train Station. During the depression clubs like the Winchester Club, which was for gentlemen only, The Rosemary and St. James Place where boarding houses for families and sportsmen to stay and hunt and fish the area. There were a number of African-American family who owned camps in the area prior to Katrina. Some of their family members worked for the railroad and helped maintain the line. The town was built next to the railroad track; the last know resident of the town was Mr. Acy. The entire area was heavily damaged during Katrina; a lot of the privately owned places will return.
To the north, between Lake St. Catherine and Lake Pontchartrain is a nine mile long populated island known as the New Orleans East Land Bridge which had been well-populated since the 1920's, with several marinas, taverns, and restaurants, boat yards and docking facilities. Pre Katrina the area total population was seven hundred and fifty four not counting the weekend camp owners. On a Labor Day weekend the total population of the area would reach two to three thousand with friends and family all joining together for the last big weekend before winter.
The New Orleans East Land Bridge is made up of five areas not one, you can live at the Rigolets, Chef Pass, Greensditch, Lake St. Catherine or Fort Pike Subdivision all boarding Highway 90 in New Orleans East.
Lake St. Catherine is a shallow lake it inlets (feeding it) include Fort Pike Canal, Sawmill Pass, Marques Canal, Unknown Pass, Miller's Ditch, Catherine Pass and Counterfit Pass. It is excellent fresh water and salt water fishing also abundant in crabs and clam shells for shrimping. Ponds off the main lake are ideal during hunting season for ducks and geese.