Expectations of Maurepas Swamp response to a river reintroduction, Louisiana

Abstract

Mississippi River reintroductions (freshwater diversions) into wetlands previously disconnected from the river have been implemented in southeastern Louisiana as a means to rehabilitate degraded and submerging wetlands. To date, all active Mississippi River reintroductions have targeted marsh habitat. However, a 57 cubic meter per second (2,000 cubic foot per second) river reintroduction is being designed and implemented by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana to rehabilitate a degraded and submerging swamp forest of approximately 16,583 hectares (40,977 acres) in the Maurepas Swamp; 30 percent of the project area is closed forest canopy, 58 percent is transitional forest, and 12 percent is open canopy wetland (severely degraded forest and open marsh). The goal of this project is to reduce or minimize loss of swamp forest habitat in the project area through reintroduction of Mississippi River water. River reconnection has often been stated as the most critical step necessary to rehabilitate and preserve the integrity of the natural and cultural resources of the Maurepas Swamp ecosystem.