Water Levels: How the Mississippi Affects Your Swamp Tour

High Water vs. Low Water

The Louisiana bayou isn’t a static swimming pool. It breathes with the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River.

High Water Conditions (Spring / Storm Surges)

• Pros: Airboats can go deeper into the forest where the water is usually too shallow.
• Cons: Wildlife disperses. With more water, gators have more places to hide. They don’t need to congregate in the main channels.

Low Water Conditions (Winter / Dry Summer)

• Pros: Wildlife concentration. As the water shrinks, fish and gators are forced into the remaining deep channels, making them easier to spot.
• Cons: Some shallow areas become inaccessible to larger pontoon boats.

The “Pearl River” Factor

Tours operating on the Pearl River (like Honey Island) are subject to river stages. If the river is in flood stage, tours may be cancelled for safety. Always check the operator’s status if there has been heavy rain upstream.