By SCOTT DYER The two bodies of water that serve

By BOB ANDERSON The Amite River has long provided a place to canoe in its upper reaches, to water ski as it gets closer to Lake Maurepas and to fish along its length. Many of those who have lived for years in the Amite's basin have developed a love-hate relationship with the river.

FRENCH SETTLEMENT - State environmental officials are planning a water sampling survey on the lower Amite River between Tuesday and Thursday that will include the use of a nontoxic red dye in the water, the state Department of Environmental Quality said.

By BOB ANDERSON The Amite River has lost six miles of its length because of erosion, and the channel has become more shallow, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

By BOB ANDERSON DENHAM SPRINGS - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers outlined an idea Tuesday for returning some of the natural bends to the Amite River.