Calcasieu River, River system in southwestern Louisiana, United States.
The Calcasieu River is a river in southwestern Louisiana that runs from Vernon Parish down through forests, wetlands, and industrial zones to the Gulf of Mexico. Before reaching the open sea, it widens into Calcasieu Lake, a shallow coastal lake near the city of Lake Charles.
In the early 1800s, the land around the river was part of the Neutral Ground, a strip of territory claimed by both Spain and the United States that neither side officially controlled. That lawless in-between zone attracted outlaws and settlers alike, and shaped the early character of the area.
The name Calcasieu comes from an Atakapa word meaning Crying Eagle, a reference to the Native American people who once lived along these banks. Today, fishing is still a daily activity near the lake at the river's mouth, where local boats go out for shrimp and crawfish.
The river is most easily reached from Lake Charles, where there are public boat ramps and waterfront areas open to visitors. Keep in mind that parts of the river handle heavy industrial vessel traffic, so it is worth checking which stretches are open for recreational use before heading out.
A major chemical spill near the river in the 1990s triggered one of the longest industrial cleanup efforts in Louisiana's history, and the site is still monitored today. This made the river a reference point for environmental law and cleanup standards across the state.
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