Poland Lock and Dam Landing

**Location & Access:** Poland Lock and Dam Landing provides public boat access to the Red River near Whittington in Rapides Parish. To reach the site, take Louisiana Highway 452 (Brouillette Highway) north from Marksville for about 11 miles and look for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sign on the left at the foot of the levee. The boat ramp is accessed by ramping over the levee to the lock and dam recreation area.

**River Conditions & Characteristics:** The Red River at this location is a major waterway—the 9th stream order—with substantial flow averaging over 68,000 cubic feet per second. Paddlers and boaters should be prepared for moderate current (average velocity of 5.93 ft/sec) and the influence of lock and dam operations. The river here has a gentle gradient of approximately 1.6 feet per mile, typical of the Louisiana lowlands.

**Important Notice:** High water closures are in effect—when river levels reach 25 feet with predicted continued rise, this ramp (along with others at Boyce and Brouillette) will close to public use. Always check current water conditions and closure status before launching. The nearby Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge offers additional recreational opportunities in the Mississippi/Red River floodplain.