Lake Shore - Lake Vista in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Lake Pontchartrain and the Pontchartrain Basin

Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, September 5, 2020

1. Lake Pontchartrain and the Pontchartrain Basin Marker

Inscription.
Named Lake Pontchartrain in 1718 by French Explorer, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, Lake Pontchartrain is not a true lake but a shallow 630 square mile estuary. Approximately 40 miles wide and 24 miles across, it is the largest of three sister lakes connected to the Gulf of Mexico through two passes. Containing brackish water, the lakes depth averages 12-15 feet and is home to many salt water and fresh water species of aquatic life. Re-opened in 2006 to recreation as the water quality improved, Lake Pontchartrain is a wonderful success story for all who helped bring it back to good health.

Photo Captions
French explorer Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville.
Comte de Pontchartrain
Bienville named the lake after his friend, Louis Phélypeaux (1643-1727), Comte de Pontchartrain, who was Secretary of the French Navy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 30° 1.632′ N, 90° 6.796′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in Lake Shore - Lake Vista. Marker can be reached from Lakeshore Drive, half a mile north of Robert E. Lee Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8001 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans LA 70124, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Point (here, next to this marker); Southern Yacht Club (a few steps from this marker); Lakefront "Seawall" (a few steps from this marker); New Basin Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Lake Pontchartrain (approx. 0.7 miles away); 17th Street Canal Floodwall (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fort St. John (approx. 1.8 miles away); Beatles Only Concert Performance in Louisiana (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.

More about this marker. Located on the grounds of the New Canal Lighthouse. The lighthouse grounds are free to walk and enjoy. The current 2020 Lighthouse is a museum, and a fee is charged for entry.

Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, September 5, 2020

2. Lake Pontchartrain and the Pontchartrain Basin Marker

Life in Lake Pontchartrain marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, September 5, 2020

3. Life in Lake Pontchartrain marker

Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, September 5, 2020

4. Life in Lake Pontchartrain marker

New Canal Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, September 5, 2020

5. New Canal Lighthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 18, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.