Bayou Nezpique

Later William Wikoff bought property here, some 2,733 acres (11 km2) on the west bank of the river, from Le Tortue, an Attakapa Indian, and his son Celestine.

Le Tortue (tortoise in French) was chief of the village of Nezpiqué; the transaction was recorded in 1791.

"[3] The river depth in the Upper Bayou region in Evangeline Parish is about 7–10 feet average, while in the lower river course, it deepens to about 35–40 feet average.

The dam was constructed for flood control purposes and its normal surface area is 1 acre (4,000 m2).

[4] The River also contains the Crooked Creek Reservoir, which is impounded by the Upper Bayou Nezpique No 3 Dam in Evangeline Parish, which is used for flood control and recreation purposes.

Map of the Mermentau River watershed showing the Mermantau River and its four largest tributaries (from left to right) River Nezpique, Bayou des Cannes , Bayou Plaquemine Brule , and Bayou Queue de Tortue .