Bayou Lacombe
St. Tammany Parish · 30 mi · Class I
CFS/ 9.86 ft
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Optimal: 50–300 CFS · USGS #07375050
Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
30 mi
Length
Class I
Difficulty
50–300 cfs
Optimal
120 cfs
Avg Flow
108 cfs
Hist. Median
#07375050
USGS Gauge
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge (lower reach)

A narrow, intimate cypress bayou draining into Lake Pontchartrain — Bayou Lacombe offers quintessential Louisiana paddling through ancient bald cypress and water tupelo forests. The short length and easy access make it ideal for half-day paddles on the Northshore. The upper 15 miles form a cypress tunnel, with the lower half traversing the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.

Trip sections
Upper — Lacombe to Highway 190, 15 mi, cypress tunnel
Lower — Highway 190 to Lake Pontchartrain, 15 mi, NWR marshes
Outfitters
Bayou Lacombe Paddle Shop
Kayak rentals and guided bayou tours on the Northshore
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.