Lake Pontchartrain and the Pontchartrain Basin
Named Lake Pontchartrain in 1718 by French Explorer, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, Lake Pontchartrain is not a true lake but a shallow 630 square mile estuary. Approximately 40 miles wide and 24 miles across, it is the largest of three sister lakes connected to the Gulf of Mexico through two passes. Containing brackish water, the lakes depth averages 12-15 feet and is home to many salt water and fresh water species of aquatic life. Re-opened in 2006 to recreation as the water quality improved, Lake Pontchartrain is a wonderful success story for all who helped bring it back to good health.
Photo Captions
French explorer Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville.
Comte de Pontchartrain
Bienville named the lake after his friend, Louis Phélypeaux (1643-1727), Comte de Pontchartrain, who was Secretary of the French Navy.