Mud Lake (Mississippi River)
General data
- Name: Mud Lake (Mississippi River)
- Water system: Mississippi River
- Water type: Natural lake
- Progression: Mississippi River -> Gulf of Mexico -> Atlantic Ocean -> Planet Earth
- Climates: Subtropical, Temperate
- Continents: North America
- Countries: United States of America
Mud Lake is along the eastern edge of St. John the Baptist Parish, in southeastern Louisiana, near the Mississippi River floodplain. It is hallow backwater / swamp lake, typical of Louisiana’s coastal and riverine floodplains. Moderate in area; varies seasonally with water levels and flooding. Shallow — often 3–6 feet, with thick sediment and organic matter at the bottom. Receives water from local bayous, runoff, and overflow from the Mississippi River during high stages. Water leaves through small connecting bayous that eventually drain into the Mississippi River or Lake Pontchartrain basin. Flow is slow-moving, and the lake acts as a natural sediment and floodwater trap.