SALTWATER INTRUSION

Natural salinity levels in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin range from fresh (no salt) to brackish (a mix of salt and fresh water). Excess salinity can kill vegetation, and lead to wetland erosion.
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In the late 1950's the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet shipping channel (MRGO) was dredged. As a result, massive amounts of saltwater entered the Lake Pontchartrain Basin system, killing vegetation and causing erosion of wetlands.Over 5000 acres of productive coastal wetlands have been lost in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin due to saltwater intrusion from the MRGO.

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