Wetlands in Louisiana

In south Louisiana we live in what is called an Estuary. This estuary has been nationally reconized and is called the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary. The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary system spans over 4 million acres between the mighty Mississippi River and the great Atchafalaya swamp.

See the Estuary

Many people live and work in the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary. Houma, LA, where I live is deep in the heart of it.
In fact Louisiana contains 3.5 million acres of coastal wetlands which makes up 40% of this nations wetlands. The problem is that we experience 80% of the wetland loss in this country.

Our wetlands are a valuable resource, contributing seafood, providing habitat for fish and wildlife, offering recreational opportunities, improving water quality, providing natural storm and flood protection, and it supports a unique culture.

Every 15 minutes in Barateria-Terrebonne a football field of coastal land turns into open water. Scientists predict that beach erosion rates can reach 120 feet in years with hurricanes. Since 1950s, it is estimated that Louisiana has lost about the size of the state of Rhode Island in highly productive wetlands and coastal marshes. Over half of Louisiana's coastal land loss has occurred in Barataria-Terrebonne basins.

See the Projected Land Loss

Important causes of wetland loss includes a combination of natural causes and human activities. These include 1) agriculture conversions, 2) freshwater flow restrictions, 3) subsidence, 4) wave erosion, 5) saltwater intrusion, 6) relative sea level rise, 6) canal and levee construction, and 8) tropical storms and hurricanes.

Click "here" to find out what you can do to help.

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