Project Location
The Cole's Bayou Marsh Restoration Project (TV-63) is a marsh creation and hydrological restoration project located in the Teche-Vermilion Basin of Vermillion Parish, between Little Vermilion Bay and Freshwater Bayou as shown below. The project team plans to create and nourish low salinity brackish marsh in recently-formed shallow open waters adjacent to Cole's Bayou with sediment dredged from Little Vermilion Bay and to improve the project area hydrology by increasing the ingress and egress of freshwater and sediment into the system.
Project Description
This project involves the creation of 365 acres and nourishment of 53 acres of brackish marsh east of Freshwater Bayou Canal in Vermilion Parish using sediment dredged from Vermilion Bay, and the installation of a series of culverts and dredging a portion of Cole's Bayou to increase freshwater and sediment inflow into interior wetlands throughout the project area. Half of the marsh creation acres would be planted after construction.
Issue Addressed
TV-63's Project area wetlands are undergoing loss at -0.42 %/year based on 1983 to 2011 USGS data from the extended boundary. Wetland loss processes in this area include subsidence/sediment deficit, interior ponding and pond enlargement, and storm impacts resulting in rapid episodic losses. In addition, significant interior marsh loss has resulted from salt water intrusion and hydrologic changes associated with increasing tidal influence. As hydrology in this area has been modified, habitats have shifted to more of a floating marsh type, resulting in increased susceptibility to tidal energy and storm damages. Habitat shifts and hydrologic stress reduce marsh productivity, a critical component of vertical accretion in wetlands.
Project Goals
The TV-63 project creates 365 acres of brackish marsh in recently formed shallow open water, nourishes 53 acres of existing brackish marsh, increases freshwater and sediment inflow into interior wetlands by improving project area hydrology.
Project acreage will be created/nourished via dedicated dredging with borrow from nearby Vermilion Bay. Half of the marsh creation acres would be planted. The project will encourage additional freshwater nutrient and sediment inflow from Freshwater Bayou Canal by dredging a portion of Cole's Bayou along with the installation of a series of culverts throughout the project area.
Verify Date
1/15/2020