Louisiana v. Mississippi (384 U.S. 24)/Opinion of the Court

United States Supreme Court

384 U.S. 24

Louisiana  v.  Mississippi (384 U.S. 24)

 Argued: Nov. 16, 1965. --- Decided: April 18, 1966

See 384 U.S. 958, 86 S.Ct. 1567.

John L. Madden, Baton Rouge, La., and Edward M. Carmouche, Lake Charles, La., for plaintiff.

Martin R. McLendon, Jackson, Miss., and Landman Teller, Vicksburg, Miss., for defendants.

PER CURIAM AND DECREE.

Upon consideration of the Report filed June 7, 1965, by Senior Judge Marvin Jones, Special Master, and the exceptions thereto, it is now adjudged, ordered, and decreed as follows:

(1) All exceptions are overruled and the Report is in all things confirmed.

(2) The true boundary between the States of Louisiana and Mississippi in the area of the Mississippi River known as Deadman's Bend on the several dates mentioned is determined to be as follows:

At all times the live thalweg has been the true boundary.

On October 3, 1952, the live thalweg was a gradually curving line running southward from the foot of Glasscock Cutoff, and east of the future location of Louisiana State Well No. 1 by 230 feet, to the end of Deadman's Bend at range 334.5 AHP. This line is described below by latitude and longitude and is drawn on Special Master Exhibit No. 1.

On April 10, 1964, the live thalweg was a gradually curving line running southward from the foot of Glasscock Cutoff, and west of Louisiana State Well No. 1 by 850 feet, to the end of Deadman's Bend at range 334.5 AHP. This line is described below by latitude and longitude and is drawn on Special Master Exhibit No. 1.

At all times between October 3, 1952, and April 10, 1964, the live thalweg has moved at a constant rate. The boundary location for any intervening period at any point in Deadman's Bend (from the foot of Glasscock Cutoff to range 334.5 AHP) is to be determined mathematically by calculating the constant rate of change for that particular place in Deadman's Bend, using the 1952 and 1964 thalwegs described heretofore and the appropriate time differentials.

At the latitude of Louisiana State Well No. 1 the location of the boundary was as follows from October 3, 1952, to April 10, 1964:

October 3, 1952..........230 feet east of well

April 27, 1954...........80 feet east of well

February 27, 1955........Directly above the well

April 10, 1956...........102 feet west of well

April 10, 1957...........195 feet west of well

April 10, 1958...........289 feet west of well

April 10, 1959...........382 feet west of well

April 10, 1960...........476 feet west of well

April 10, 1961...........569 feet west of well

April 10, 1962...........663 feet west of well

April 10, 1963...........756 feet west of well

April 10, 1964...........850 feet west of well

The Louisiana State Well No. 1 became located inside the boundary of Mississippi on February 28, 1955.

The description of the October 3, 1952, live thalweg by geodetic positions (North American Datum) is as follows:

Beginning at the foot of Glasscock Cutoff at a point on range 338.3 AHP, which is Lat. 31 19 07.0 -Long. 91 30 33.5 .

Thence running southward through the following points:

31x18'57.5" 91x30'37.0"

31x18'47.5" 91x30'39.0"

31x18'37.0" 91x30'40.0"

31x18'27.0" 91x30'39.5"

31x18'17.0" 91x30'39.0"

31x18'07.0" 91x30'38.0"

31x17'57.5" 91x30'38.0"

31x17'47.0" 91x30'38.0"

31x17'37.0" 91x30'37.0"

31x17'27.0" 91x30'36.5"

31x17'17.0" 91x30'36.0"

31x17'07.0" 91x30'35.0"

31x16'57.5" 91x30'33.5"

31x16'47.0" 91x30'32.5"

31x16'42.5" 91x30'34.0"

31x16'38.0" 91x30'37.0"

31x16'30.0" 91x30'43.0"

31x16'22.5" 91x30'51.0"

31x16'17.0" 91x31'00.0"

31x16'12.0" 91x31'10.0"

31x16'08.0" 91x31'21.0"

31x16'05.5" 91x31'32.0"

31x16'03.5" 91x31'42.0"

The description of the April 10, 1964, live thalweg by geodetic positions (North American Datum) is as follows:

Beginning at the foot of Glasscock Cutoff at a point on range 338.3 AHP, which is Lat. 31 19 07.0 -Long. 91 30 38.5 .

Thence running southward through the following points:

31x18'57.5" 91x30'40.5"

31x18'48.0" 91x30'42.5"

31x18'38.0" 91x30'44.0"

31x18'28.0" 91x30'46.0"

31x18'18.5" 91x30'47.0"

31x18'08.5" 91x30'48.5"

31x17'59.0" 91x30'50.0"

31x17'49.0" 91x30'52.0"

31x17'39.0" 91x30'52.5"

31x17'29.5" 91x30'52.5"

31x17'20.0" 91x30'52.5"

31x17'10.0" 91x30'52.0"

31x17'00.5" 91x30'52.0"

31x16'51.0" 91x30'52.5"

31x16'41.0" 91x30'53.0"

31x16'36.0" 91x30'55.0"

31x16'32.0" 91x30'58.0"

31x16'24.0" 91x31'04.5"

31x16'16.0" 91x31'11.5"

31x16'09.0" 91x31'18.5"

31x16'03.0" 91x31'28.0"

31x15'59.0" 91x31'38.0"

(3) As it appears that the Special Master has completed his work, he is hereby discharged with the thanks of the Court.

(4) The costs of this suit are to be equally divided between the two States.

Notes