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Marsh Creation

Calcasieu Lake Marsh Creation

The Calcasieu Lake Marsh Creation project is made up of two directly adjacent 2023 Coastal Master Plan projects, the Southeast Calcasieu Lake Marsh Creation and East Calcasieu Lake Marsh Creation. Each will strengthen the shoreline of the adjacent Calcasieu Lake and will work together synergistically to strengthen coastal resilience within the Chenier Plain.

Southeast Calcasieu Lake Marsh Creation will create approximately 9,200 acres of marsh southeast of Calcasieu Lake. The new marsh will provide wetland habitat, reduce wave erosion and protect inland communities.

East Calcasieu Lake Marsh Creation will create and restore marsh habitat, create new wetland habitat, and reduce wave erosion in the western portion of the marsh similar to its counterpart just south.

About This Project

Project ID: 216 and 224c
Type: Marsh Creation
From the 2023 Coastal Master Plan
Project 1: Southeast Calcasieu Lake Marsh Creation

Region: Chenier Plain
Parish: Cameron
CMP ID: 216
Project Type: Marsh Creation
CMP23 description: Creation of marsh within a footprint of approximately 9,200 acres southeast of Calcasieu Lake to create new wetland habitat, restore degraded marsh, and reduce wave erosion.

CPRA Project Factsheet 

Project 2: East Calcasieu Lake Marsh Creation

Region: Chenier Plain
Parish: Cameron
CMP ID: 224c
Project Type: Marsh Creation
CMP23 description: Creation of marsh in the western portion of marsh in the eastern Cameron-Creole watershed to create new wetland habitat, restore degraded marsh, and reduce wave erosion.

CPRA Project Factsheet 

What is a Marsh Creation Project?

Graphic depiction of Marsh Creation Projects by SCAPE. Found in 2023 Coastal Master Plan.

Graphic by SCAPE, published in 2023 Coastal Master Plan.

Marsh creation or “dredging” uses sediment from the Mississippi River, nearby water bottoms or offshore shoals to build land in shallow, open water areas, typically where land has been lost. These projects can build land fairly quickly, but will eventually fall victim to the same process that caused the land to disappear originally. This type of project can be used in conjunction with sediment diversions to trap sediment, and sediment diversions can lengthen the lifespan of marsh creation projects by providing a continual source of sediment to the new marsh surface.

Other Marsh Creation Projects

Large Scale Barataria Marsh Creation | New Orleans East Marsh Creation | Central Wetlands Marsh Creation and Diversion | Three Mile Pass Marsh Creation and Hydrologic Restoration | Delacroix Marsh Creation | East Bayou Lafourche Marsh Creation |  Belle Pass-Golden Meadow Marsh Creation | Calcasieu-Sabine Large-Scale Marsh and Hydrologic Restoration Project | Golden Triangle Marsh Creation

Ecological Highlights

Habitats
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