Changes

==Overview==

==Overview==

To the south, Lake Bistineau joins Loggy Bayou to form a continuous passage of water into the Red River. Sometimes called "the heart of Webster Parish," Dorcheat is known for its "unending bounty of sights and sound" of nature.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/louisiana/bayou-dorcheat/|title=Bayou Dorcheat|publisher=Outdoorproject.com|accessdate=April 9, 2020}}</ref>​

To the south, Lake Bistineau joins Loggy Bayou to form a continuous passage of water into the Red River. Sometimes called "the heart of Webster Parish," Dorcheat is known for its "unending bounty of sights and sound" of nature.In the 19th century, Dorcheat was navigable for three to six months per year as far as [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], the seat of government for Webster Parish.<ref name=lebreton/> Wharves and warehouses were built along the bayou, as [[steamboat]]s brought supplies to the outlying areas and then returned with mainly [[cotton]] to the large market available in [[New Orleans]].<ref name=lebreton/>

In the 19th century, Dorcheat was navigable for three to six months per year as far as [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], the seat of government for Webster Parish.<ref name=lebreton/> Wharves and warehouses were built along the bayou, as [[steamboat]]s brought supplies to the outlying areas and then returned with mainly [[cotton]] to the large market available in [[New Orleans]].<ref name=lebreton/>

Steamboats, including side-wheelers and stern-wheelers, sometimes encountered tragedies on Dorcheat Bayou. An early steamer caught fire as it returned south; a woman leaped from the vessel with a child under each arm. She but only one of the children was rescued. In 1850, the ''Shamrock'' also burned with the loss of one person. The ships carried cargo and passengers and often offered mostly musical entertainment. Among these ships were the ''Danube,'' the ''Jewel,'' and the ''Marie Louise,''<ref name=lebreton/> a reference to the second wife of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]. The steamboat era on Dorcheat ended in 1892, with the enhanced access to [[railroad]]s, one of which was the Sibley, Lake Bistineau, and Southern Railway. Passenger rail service along Dorcheat Bayou ended in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lakebistineau.com/history/History/History/DATES%201.html|author=Joe Hinton|title=Lake Bistineau History|publisher=lakebistineau.com|accessdate=April 9, 2020}}</ref>​

Steamboats, including side-wheelers and stern-wheelers, sometimes encountered tragedies on Dorcheat Bayou. An early steamer caught fire as it returned south; a woman leaped from the vessel with a child under each arm. She but only one of the children was rescued. In 1850, the ''Shamrock'' also burned with the loss of one person. The ships carried cargo and passengers and often offered mostly musical entertainment. Among these ships were the ''Danube,'' the ''Jewel,'' and the ''Marie Louise,''<ref name=lebreton/> a reference to the second wife of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]. The steamboat era on Dorcheat ended in 1892, with the enhanced access to [[railroad]]s, one of which was the Sibley, Lake Bistineau, and Southern Railway. Passenger rail service along Dorcheat Bayou ended in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lakebistineau.com/history/History/History/DATES%201.html|author=Joe Hinton|title=Lake Bistineau History|publisher=lakebistineau.com|accessdate=April 9, 2020}}</ref>​