Add this to the list of issues critical to any development of Cross Bayou.

Every time the Red River gets near flood stage, Cross Bayou floods.

Its simple.

When the Red get “full”, water backs up into Cross Bayou.

Add to this increased water flow into Cross Bayou from 12 Mile Bayou.

The result is not rocket science.

Water in Cross Bayou rises to higher levels.

This will be a major factor in any development along the bayou.

How to plan for water levels that could increase six feet or more—maybe several times a year.

The current group wanting to develop this area hope to have the Red River Waterway to hard bank the bayou.

Such an “improvement” will cause more flood problems.

Initially, this will reduce the water capacity of the bayou by eliminating “over flow” areas for excessive water. Thus the flood stage of the bayou will get lower.

This will also exacerbate upstream flooding from 12 Mile Bayou because of reduced water capacity. This adversely affects the MLK area.

If the Red River Waterway Commission has funds for flood control they could be better directed to efforts to reduce the flooding along the Red River. Not to facilitate a private development that will have more negative and positive consequences.