The Delta Wide Crevasses restoration project mimics the natural process of crevasse formation that was responsible for building much of the Mississippi River Delta.
Q: What is the name of the project, and where is it located?
A: The Delta Wide Crevasse (MR-09) project is located in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, within the Pass a Loutre Wildlife Management Area (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries) and the Delta National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
Q: What was the timeline for this project (start date – completion date)?
A: The first dredging cycle of construction was completed in 1999. There were three construction phases from 1999-2014 where 28 crevasses were constructed or had received maintenance dredging. The project is currently in construction phase IV where seven crevasses will be constructed: four crevasses on the Delta National Wildlife Refuge and three crevasses on the Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area.
Q: How many acres of wetland does this project benefit/create?
A: The Phase IV construction is estimated to create 120 acres. By project year 15, benefits analysis estimated 935 acres of land gained from the Phase I to III crevasses.
Q: What is most important/impactful about this project?
A: Crevasses are breaks in the levees that allow the river to deposit sediments into adjacent shallow bays. The wetlands formed from the deposition of these sediments are called crevasse splays. This restoration project mimics the natural process of crevasse formation that was responsible for building much of the Mississippi River Delta. Crevasse splays create a variety of habitats for all fishery, waterfowl, and other wildlife species. Habitats created range from intertidal marsh to high elevation forested islands.
Q: Is there anything unique about this project you would like to bring attention to?
A: The Delta Wide Crevasse (MR-09) project is very cost effective. The cost effectiveness is $3,637/acre. Recent CWPPRA projects (2009-2019) approved for funding averaged in cost effectiveness at $95,774 per acre.
CWPPRA 