Central Wetlands Marsh Creation and Diversion
Central Wetlands Marsh Creation and Diversion
This diversion and marsh creation project will synergistically benefit the Central Wetlands Unit ecosystem in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish, an area of nearly 30,000 acres of wetland that was once mostly a mix of cypress-tupelo swamp and bottomland hardwood forest. Now a predominantly brackish marsh habitat, this area has been dramatically affected by human-made forces. Logging; leveeing of the Mississippi River; construction of oil, gas and navigation canals; and the construction of the now-closed Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (MR-GO) …
Bayou L’Ours Ridge Restoration
Bayou L’Ours is one of several remnant natural ridges in the upper Barataria Basin. The goal of the Bayou L’Ours Ridge Restoration project is to revitalize this approximately 54,000-foot ridge along the bayou. This restoration project is designed to serve a multifaceted purpose, including the creation of vital coastal upland habitat, the restoration of natural hydrology and the establishment of a robust defense mechanism against waves and storm surge. By breathing new life into this historical ridge, the project seeks …
Mermentau Basin Hydrologic Restoration
The Mermentau Basin Hydrologic Restoration project will address persistent marsh flooding and lack of drainage in the southern Mermentau and Cameron-Creole watersheds. The project will utilize gravity drainage to direct water southward across Highway 82 into tidally connected canals within the Rockefeller National Wildlife Refuge, as well as a series of other hydrologic features. Along with other projects in the region, the Mermentau Basin Hydrologic Restoration project will relieve pressure on the Mermentau River, allowing for more efficient drainage through …
Three Mile Pass Marsh Creation and Hydrologic Restoration
Proposed to help protect oyster and shrimp habitat, the Three Mile Pass Marsh Creation and Hydrologic Restoration Project will build a marsh buffer against potential freshwater intrusion. The project footprint will be approximately 11,000 acres, including a 660-acre area dedicated to creating new wetland habitat and restoring imperiled marsh in Malheureaux Point and Grand Pass. Existing conditions in the Biloxi Marsh make this area prime habitat for oysters and shrimp. However, if the Bonnet Carre Spillway opens to prevent Mississippi …
East Bayou Lafourche Marsh Creation
The East Bayou Lafourche Marsh Creation project is a Barataria Basin project in the 2023 Coastal Master Plan that will establish more than 33,000 acres of wetland habitat on the eastern side of Bayou Lafourche, along the scenic Caminada Headland. This project will serve multiple essential purposes, including the development of fresh wetland ecosystems, the rehabilitation of deteriorated marshlands and the mitigation of wave erosion. This project will help to replenish the devastated region still recovering from the impact of …
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 …
Eastern Terrebonne Landbridge – East
The Eastern Terrebonne Landbridge project extends across the eastern Terrebonne marshes and will be built in two phases. The eastern component, from Bayou Lafourche to Bayou Pointe-aux-Chênes, will be constructed in the first phase, and the western and central components, from Bayou Pointe-aux-Chênes to Bayou Terrebonne, will be built in the second phase. The project’s goal is to fill all open water within the landbridge footprint, leaving only a few bayous. This approach aims to restrict water flow from Terrebonne …
Atchafalaya Diversions
The Atchafalaya Diversions 2023 Coastal Master Plan project consists of two proposed projects diverting water and sediment from the Atchafalaya River: Atchafalaya River Diversion and Increase Atchafalaya Flow to Terrebonne. The Atchafalaya River Sediment Diversion will provide basin-wide benefits to marshes in southwest Terrebonne Parish. This project will see sediment and fresh water diverted into the marshes to help build land and sustain other nearby projects planned for construction like the Mauvais Bois Ridge Restoration. The wetlands in Terrebonne Basin …
Ama Diversion
As proposed in the 2017 Coastal Master Plan, located in St. Charles Parish, the Ama Sediment Diversion will divert sediment, nutrients and freshwater from the Mississippi River to existing wetlands in the upper Barataria Basin and will also likely benefit marsh creation projects further down in the basin. With a maximum capacity of 50,000 cubic feet of water per second, the project will build and sustain wetland forests, fresh and intermediate marshes by increasing sediment input, water flow and nutrients …
Manchac Landbridge Diversion
Manchac Landbridge Diversion, as proposed in the 2017 Coastal Master Plan, would be constructed within the existing western guide levee of the Bonnet Carre Spillway. When the Bonnet Carre Spillway is opened to reduce river flood risk in New Orleans, all sediment, fresh water and nutrients are directed into Lake Pontchartrain, wasting these vital resources and causing water quality issues. The Manchac Diversion will direct some of these flows into degraded swamps and marshes adjacent to the spillway to increase …
Union Freshwater Diversion
Proposed within the 2017 Coastal Master Plan with a maximum capacity of 25,000 cubic feet of water per second, the Union Freshwater Diversion is meant to deliver nutrient-rich freshwater from the Mississippi River to the fresh-forested, flotant and freshwater marsh environment in Maurepas Swamp to prevent saltwater intrusion and encourage vegetation growth. As proposed, it would be designed to operate at maximum capacity when the river’s flow reaches one million cubic feet per second. The diversion would convey fine sediment …