Louisiana's Old River is a distinctive river with a remarkable history. Fifty miles northwest of Baton Rouge, it connects the Atchafalaya and Mississippi Rivers. It was once a part of the Mississippi and would have long ceased to exist had it not been for man. At one time, the Mississippi attempted to divert most of its flow through Old River and down the Atchafalaya. The Old River Lock was built to make the Red River and the Atchafalaya River accessible to river traffic from the Mississippi River. The boat ramp and parking lot are across the highway from the project office.