Sunday Morning Rising: The State of the Bayou, Skis, and Shreveport Today
Introduction
Good morning from the Shreveport cabin, everyone. There is nothing quite like a peaceful Sunday morning along Twelve Mile Bayou. I’m sitting here with a hot, black cup of coffee, enjoying the absolute stillness that settles over the water just after dawn. After a busy week, taking a moment to simply watch the world wake up is the perfect way to reset the mind and spirit. Today, I want to share a quick update on the state of the bayou, our local boat ramps, and the skies above us.
Restoring the Soul Beside Still Waters
Looking out over the calm stretches of the bayou this morning, it is easy to see how God uses the beauty of His creation to recharge our spiritual batteries. The quiet mornings, the mist lingering on the cypress roots, and the steady rhythm of the sun and moon are profound reminders of His design. When we step away from the noise of our daily routines and simply take in the view, it naturally refreshes both our tired bodies and our spirits. As Psalm 23:2-3 beautifully promises, "He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." It is in these peaceful, untouched spaces along the water that we can truly find rest, allowing the Lord to renew our strength for the week ahead.
The State of Twelve Mile Bayou & Local Access
The water is looking beautiful this morning, and for those of you hitching up the trailer to head to the boat ramps, here is what you need to know:
Recent National Weather Service readings have shown the Twelve Mile Bayou stage at the Dixie 4SW gauge hovering right between 10.8 and 11.0 feet.
If you are launching out of the Red River South Marina, remember that it gives you access to Pool No. 5, which includes the river channel itself as well as Twelve Mile Bayou running through downtown Shreveport.
I do have a bit of unfortunate news for those of us who religiously check the river gauges: the USGS monitoring station for Twelvemile Bayou near Mooringsport announced that real-time water-level and precipitation data will be discontinued soon after June 30, 2026, due to significant recent staff reductions. We will have to rely a bit more on our own eyes and experience out there!
The early morning mist is just starting to burn off the cypress roots as the temperature rises, making it a perfect, calm morning for a quiet paddle.
Sun and Moon Tracking for Sunday, July 19
For those of you tracking the skies with me, here is the astronomical breakdown for our area today:
Sunrise: The sun officially crested the horizon this morning right around 6:15 AM CDT.
Sunset: We will lose the daylight tonight at approximately 8:20 PM CDT, giving us a long, beautiful summer evening.
Moon Phase (The Waxing Crescent): I noticed the sky was pitch black just a few days ago. That pitch-black sky was our New Moon! Because the New Moon has passed, we have now officially entered the Waxing Crescent phase. If the clouds stay clear tonight, you will be able to see a thin, bright sliver of the moon returning to the western sky just after sunset.
Moonrise & Moonset: The crescent moon will rise mid-morning today and will set tonight shortly after 10:30 PM CDT.
Shreveport Community Update
While the bayou is quiet this morning, the city of Shreveport is actually seeing a lot of positive movement. If you've been following the local news, there are some great developments happening right now that are bringing new life to the area:
Downtown Revitalization: The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is actively working under new leadership to rejuvenate the downtown area by improving infrastructure and attracting new businesses.
New Life for the Old GM Plant: The former General Motors plant here in Shreveport is officially being transformed. A global technology company named SLB is converting the site into a digital infrastructure manufacturing facility, which is projected to bring nearly 600 new jobs to the area.
Prolec GE Expansion: To meet the growing demand for electrical transformers, Prolec GE is expanding its Shreveport facility, which is expected to add another 153 jobs to our local manufacturing sector.
Conclusion
Whether you are spending your Sunday relaxing in a recliner with a good video game, enjoying a hot meal with family, or casting a line out in Pool No. 5, I hope you find some peace and stillness today. The community is growing, the skies are clear, and it is shaping up to be a beautiful Louisiana Sunday.
Product Identity & Legal The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges: "Bayou Earl," "Uncle Bill," "Angela our Earth-bound Angel," "Shreveport Cabin Adventures" and original writings regarding Sunday Morning Rising, and reflections about family and prayer.
All Scriptures from the Bible are considered to be in the public domain and are used under fair use.
Real-world water level and meteorological data are sourced from public reports provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Weather Service (NWS). All corporate names, trademarks, and local agency titles—including SLB, Prolec GE, General Motors, and the Shreveport Downtown Development Authority—remain the exclusive property of their respective owners and are referenced here strictly for local news reporting and informational purposes.
© 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.
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