Bayou Sale Shoreline Protection (TV-20)

A foreshore rock dike, such as the one shown above, may provide an alternative type of shoreline protection to the eastern shoreline of East Cote Blanche Bay.

Location

The project is located along the eastern shoreline of East Cote Blanche Bay, from British-American Canal to the mouth of Bayou Sale, in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana.

Problems

Shoreline erosion at an estimated rate of 13.5 feet per year is being caused by the open water fetch and resulting wave energy from East Cote Blanche Bay. The retreating shoreline has resulted in a substantial loss of live oak forest, emergent wetlands, and critical habitat used by a multitude of fish and wildlife species, including the endangered Louisiana black bear.

Restoration Strategy

The goal of this project is to reduce or, if possible, reverse shoreline erosion and create marsh between the breakwater and existing shoreline. Project plans include construction of 35,776 linear feet of foreshore rock dike parallel to and approximately 150 feet out from the existing eastern shoreline of East Cote Blanche Bay. The rock dike will be tied into the banks of all substantial channels. Smaller channels and sloughs will have provisions for adequate drainage and aquatic organism access via openings through the dredge material and gaps in the dike. It is anticipated that approximately 123 acres of marsh will be created with the fill material from the dredging of an access channel to accommodate construction equipment.

Progress to Date

The Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force approved the engineering and design phase of this project in January 2004. Planning is ongoing.

The project is on Priority Project List (PPL) 13.

The Federal Sponsor is Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The Local Sponsor is CPRA.

Approved Date: 2004
Project Area: 370 acres
Approved Funds: $1.85 M
Total Est. Cost: $1.85 M
Net Benefit After 20 Years: 329 acres
Status: Deauthorized
Project Type: Shoreline Protection

Freshwater Bayou Bank Stabilization (ME-13)

By placing riprap in front of the existing shoreline, further wetland loss will be decreased dramatically. It is anticipated that open water areas behind the rock structure will accumulate sediments and eventually become vegetated.

Location

This project is located along the west bank of Freshwater Bayou Canal near Little Vermilion Bay, 4 miles southwest of Intracoastal City, Louisiana, in Vermilion Parish. It
extends north from North Prong and Belle Isle Bayou to Sixmile Canal.

Problems

Increased tidal action, saltwater intrusion, and boat wakes have accelerated erosion long the banks of the Freshwater Bayou Canal. The spoil banks have completely eroded in some areas. The remaining spoil banks along the southern reach of the project area separate Freshwater Bayou Canal from several interior marsh ponds. If the banks breach, shoreline erosion will accelerate interior marsh loss.

Restoration Strategy

The objective of this project was to prevent further wetland loss through the reduction of bank erosion and subsequent tidal scour of shoreline marshes. Approximately 23,193 linear feet of freestanding rock dike were constructed in shallow water along the west bank of Freshwater Bayou Canal (from its confluence with Sixmile Canal on the northern end and North Prong to the south).

Progress to Date

The local cost share for this project was provided by Acadian Gas Company. Construction began in March 1998 and was completed in May 1998. The monitoring plan was approved in February 1997. To date, monitoring has consisted of documenting the pre-construction shoreline position relative to the rock dike and a land-to-water analysis of the preconstruction aerial photography that was taken in January 1997. This project is on Priority Project List 5.

The project is on Priority Project List (PPL) 5.

The Federal Sponsor is National Resources Conservation Service

The Local Sponsor is CPRA.

Approved Date: 1996
Project Area: 1,724 acres
Approved Funds: $5.56 M
Total Est. Cost: $8.91 M
Net Benefit After 20 Years: 511 acres
Status: Completed June 1998
Project Type: Shoreline Protection

GIWW – Perry Ridge West Bank Stabilization (CS-30)

Settlement plates such as the one pictured here will be used to determine if settling of the structure has occurred. Technicians from NRCS’s Crowley Watershed Office are shown taking baseline elevations before more rock is deposited. Future elevation readings will be taken after the structure is completed.

Location

The project is located along the northern bank of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) between Perry Ridge and the Sabine River in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.

Problems

This section of the GIWW was dredged to allow the use of doublewide barges, and,  consequently, has intensified the occurrence of wake erosion. In addition, the construction of the Calcasieu Ship Channel and the deepening of Sabine Pass have increased the salinity and water currents within the GIWW. These activities have caused the GIWW shoreline to breach, thus impacting the interior marsh of the project area.

Restoration Strategy

Proposed project components involve installation of 9,500 feet of rock riprap along the northern bank of the GIWW from Perry Ridge to its intersection with the Sabine River.
An additional 2,200 feet of rock riprap will be installed from the Sabine/GIWW intersection north along the Sabine River. This proposed work is referred to as “construction unit number 2.” Approximately 22,952 linear feet of terraces will
be constructed in the shallow, open water areas north of the GIWW to reduce fetch (distance a wave can travel) and allow recovery of the interior marshes. Terraces will be
vegetated with 9,400 trade-gallon-sized plantings of California bulrush. This proposed work is referred to as “construction unit number 3.”

Progress to Date

Project construction is complete. The monitoring plan is currently in development and should be finalized in the spring of 2002.

The project is on Priority Project List (PPL) 9.

The Federal Sponsor is Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The Local Sponsor is CPRA.

Approved Date: 2000
Project Area: 1,132 acres
Approved Funds: $2.19 M
Total Est. Cost: $2.20 M
Net Benefit After 20 Years: 83 acres
Status: Completed
Project Type: Shoreline Protection

Humble Canal Hydrologic Restoration (ME-11)

The Grand and White Lakes system has been maintained
as a fresh-to-intermediate marsh environment. This has
been accomplished through water management using
natural ridges, levees, locks, and water control structures.
This project replaces the Humble Canal structure that has
fallen into disrepair. This project is compatible with the
overall basin strategy of treating critical areas of marsh
loss within the interior of the basin and managing water
levels with structures to relieve stress on interior wetlands.
The project also relieves this area from continued saltwater
intrusion from the Mermentau River that threatens the
viability of the fresh to intermediate marshes within the
region.

The objective of this project is to restore historical
hydrology to the project area by constructing a water
control structure consisting of five 48-inch diameter by 50-
foot long corrugated aluminum pipes with flap gates and
weir drop inlets along with one 18-inch diameter
corrugated aluminum pipe with screw gate. This structure
will protect the area from Mermentau River saltwater
intrusion and allow high water to drain from the marsh to
the river. Dredging of a small waterway is included to
increase the effectiveness of the structure.

The project is located in the Mermentau basin, on the west
bank of the Mermentau River approximately 2 miles
southwest of Grand Lake at the Humble Canal in Cameron
Parish, Louisiana.

Construction of the project was completed March 5, 2003.
The project is now in the operation and maintenance phase.

This project is on Priority Project List 8.

 

Federal Sponsor is NRCS

Local Sponsor is CPRA

Penchant Basin Natural Resources Plan, Increment 1 (TE-34)

Area problems include major hydrologic alterations, interior marsh erosion, subsidence, saltwater intrusion, herbivory, and hurricane damage.

This project will combine the long-term realignment of Penchant Basin hydrology with restoration and protection measures aimed at maintaining the physical integrity of the area during the transition toward greater riverine influence.

The project includes about 6,520 feet of foreshore rock dike (shoreline protection) along the southern bank of Bayou Chene at its intersection with Bayou Penchant and approximately 35 acres of marsh creation. Two freshwater introduction structures, consisting of a) 10-48” flap gates in Superior Canal and b) steel sheetpile weir with 10’ boat bay and six 5’ x 5’ flap gated openings at Brady Canal, will be constructed to improve freshwater conveyance from Bayou Penchant into the central Terrebonne marshes. On the north bank of Bayou Decade extending from Lake Decade to Turtle Bayou (12,000 ft) an earthen embankment will be maintained and from Voss Canal to Lost Lake (14,000 ft) an earthen embankment will be constructed to 4.0 feet NAVD88 with 6:1 side slopes and rock armoring on the south-face. Within the embankment, a sheetpile weir, with a 10 ft wide boat bay, will be constructed at each of two existing channels that intersect Bayou Decade.

The objectives of the project are to eliminate erosion and create approximately 35 acres of emergent marsh along the southern bank of Bayou Chene at its intersection with Bayou Penchant, convey Atchafalaya River water, sediment, and nutrients to lower Penchant Basin tidal marshes to offset subsidence and saltwater intrusion and maintain the integrity of a deteriorated reach of the north bank of Bayou Decade to minimize encroachment of open water marine influence.

The project is bounded on the north by the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), the east by a north/south line from Lake De Cade to the GIWW, the south by Lake Mechant and Lost Lake, and to the west by a north/south line from Lost Lake to Avoca Island in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.

The Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force approved this project on April 24, 1997. Priority Project List (PPL) 6 authorized funding of $7,051,550, while PPL 8 authorized an additional $7,051,550.

Planning, engineering and design of this project included extensive data collection, hydrodynamic modeling, and related investigations. This effort resulted in a change in scope to the project which was approved by the Task Force in April 2008. Construction was completed in August 2011.

This project is on Priority Project List 6.

 

The Federal Sponsor is USDA NRCS

The Local Sponsor is CPRA

Boston Canal/Vermilion Bay Bank Protection (TV-09)

Construction of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Boston Canal, and oilfield canals has greatly increased tidal exchange between Vermilion Bay and the adjacent marshlands to the north, particularly near their confluence with Vermilion Bay. This tidal exchange, combined with the effects of wave action from the bay and boat wake from traffic on the canal, has contributed to significant shoreline erosion along the Vermilion Bay shoreline. This same set of problems has also caused shoreline erosion along Boston Canal, particularly near its confluence with Vermilion Bay.

Rock dikes configured as sediment traps were constructed along the shoreline at the mouth of Boston Canal to promote sediment deposition and protect the shoreline and adjacent wetlands from continued wave-induced erosion. Vegetation was planted along 14 miles of the Vermilion Bay shoreline to act as a wave buffer and decrease shoreline erosion rates.

The project encompasses 466 acres of brackish marsh along approximately 16 miles of Vermilion Bay’s northern shoreline adjacent to Boston Canal. Running from the Oaks Canal to Mud Point, the project is located roughly 6 miles southeast of Intracoastal City, Louisiana, in Vermilion Parish.

Following the construction of the rock dikes, as much as 4.5 feet of sediment has  vertically accreted in the lee, or windsheltered regions, of the structures. The dikes and vegetative plantings have increased vegetation cover, resulting in 57
acres of land growth. The shoreline has been stabilized at the mouth of Boston
Canal.

The survivorship and vegetation cover percentage along the shoreline were more pronounced in areas where native vegetation did not exist. Survivorship and percent cover were least pronounced when marshhay cordgrass (Spartina patens) was planted in established stands of roseau cane (Phragmites australis). Overall survivorship of planted smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) was over 90% after 12 months. Current coverage is nearing 100%. The 2005 OM&M Report concluded the sediment build-up behind the dike on the east and west sides is continuing and vegetation has taken over the exposed mud flats. Elevation data show an increase in sedimentation behind the rock breakwater.

This project is on Priority Project List 2.

Federal Sponsor: NRCS

Local Sponsor: CPRA

South Lake De Cade Freshwater Introduction (TE-39)

The project area is experiencing marsh deterioration due to subsidence, rapid tidal exchange, and human-induced hydrologic changes that result in increased salinities. Saltwater intrusion has caused a shift in marsh type and a conversion of over 30 percent of emergent vegetation to open water habitat. Shoreline erosion along the south embankment of Lake De Cade threatens to breach the hydrologic barrier between the lake and interior marshes.

Proposed project components include installing three control structures along the south rim of the lake and enlarging Lapeyrouse Canal to allow the controlled diversion of Atchafalaya River water, nutrients, and sediments south into project area marshes. Outfall management structures are planned in the marsh interior to provide better distribution of river water. In addition, approximately 1.6 miles of foreshore rock dike is planned to protect the critical areas of the south lake shoreline from breaching.

The project is located in Terrebonne Parish, approximately 15 miles southwest of Houma, Louisiana.

After initial engineering investigation, the project was divided into two construction units. Construction unit one consisted of the shoreline protection only and was completed in July 2011. Construction unit two consisting of the freshwater introduction component was further investigated and due to uncertainty of benefits was not constructed, and therefore, the project is considered completed.

This project is on Priority Project List 9.

The Federal Sponsor is NRCS

The Local Sponsor is CPRA

Classifying Wetlands Part 2

Last week’s Wetland Wednesday mentioned 3 main criteria as part of identifying a wetland (wetland hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydric soils). – Today we’ll look at how plants and soils help scientists delineate wetlands.

In the field, scientists identify and sample soils and plants as part of wetland delineation. The LSU AgCenter groups plant species based on where the plant is naturally found as seen in the table below.

Wetland plants have adapted to flooded soils. “Obligate” plants can tolerate water at high levels or when soil saturation is a normal condition to that area. Examples of these plants include the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), or cattail (Typha latifolia) [3].

In contrast, plants that cannot handle flooded conditions for an extended period would naturally be in the “upland” area of land (i.e. winged sumac (Rhus copallina), eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), or panic grass (Dichanthelium sp.) [3].

People delineating wetlands focus on a project area according to aerial and soil maps along with aerial photographs [1]. Delineators then take soil samples and determine characteristics seen in hydric soils which relate to cycles of flooding and drying. – Examples of those include oxidized soils, hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) and organic bodies found on plant roots. Finally, the plant and soil types are compared, tested, then matched to determine wetland boundaries for mapping and policy purposes [1].

Wetland delineation is a tool for protecting and documenting these important landscapes which contribute to a healthy and functional environment. It is important to note that wetland delineation requires much more than just plant and soil identification. CWPPRA utilizes sound science, engineering, mapping, and geo-technical surveys in the process of planning, approving, constructing, and maintaining coastal Louisiana wetland restoration projects.

Sources:

[1] Bedhun, Rebecca. 2018. “Watch and Lean Now: How To Do A Wetland Delineation”. Shoret Elliot Hendrickson Inc. Available: http://www.sehinc.com/news/watch-and-learn-now-how-do-wetland-delineation [September 9, 2018]

[2] Jon Kusler. “Common Questions: Wetland Definition, Delineation, and Mapping”. Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. Available: https://www.aswm.org/pdf_lib/14_mapping_6_26_06.pdf [September 9, 2018]

[3] LSU Ag Center. 2018. Louisiana Plant Identification: Plant List. Available: http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/plantid/listcommon.htm [September 10, 2018]

 

Black Bayou Culverts Hydrological Restoration (CS-29)

The marsh within this area has been suffering from excessive water levels within the lakes subbasin that kills vegetation, prevents growth of desirable annual plant species, and contributes to shoreline erosion. Black Bayou offers a unique location in the basin where the water in the lakes subbasin and the outer, tidal waters are separated by only a narrow highway corridor.

Project components include installing ten 10 foot by 10 foot concrete box culverts in Black Bayou at the intersection of Louisiana Highway 384. The structure discharge will be in addition to the discharges provided by Calcasieu Locks, Schooner Bayou, and Catfish Point water control structures.

The project features are located in southern Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The majority of the project area is located east of Calcasieu Lake and includes areas north of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and west of Grand Lake in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

Construction has been completed.

This project is on Priority Project List 9.

Federal Sponsor: NRCS

Local Sponsor: CPRA