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Coastal & Marine Geology Program > Center for Coastal & Regional Marine Studies > Environmental Atlas of Lake Pontchartrain

Environmental Atlas of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin

Lake Pontchartrain Atlas Home
Lake Pontchartrain Atlas:
Preface
Table of Contents
Introduction
Environmental Overview
Environmental Status & Trends
Restoration
Physical Environments
Basin Geology
Biological Resources
Environmental Issues You are at the Environmental Issues section of the Environmental Atlas of Lake Pontchartrain
Bibliography
Resources
Contributors
Acronyms
Contact:
Jack Kindinger
Environmental Issues: Coastal Land Loss | Shoreline Change and Rates | Urbanization | Aggregate Dredge Holes | Dredge Pit Characterization | Bonnet Carré Diversion | Water Quality | Sediment Quality & Dispersal

Environmental Issues - Aggregate Dredge Holes

Contributors: Connor, Jr., Maygarden, Penland, Kindinger
Map showing Lake Pontchartrain dredge pit locations.
Figure 38: Lake Pontchartrain dredge pit locations.

In 1998, a partnership was formed between the UNOCRL and the USGS to collect hydrographic data along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain in order to document bathymetric change since the early 1900's. These hydrographic data were processed and computer-generated to produce bathymetric maps. Locations of dredge-pits and specific study areas are shown in Figure 38.

One of four significant holes in the Lake bottom on the south shore mapped by this survey is near South Point. The bathymetric data show that this hole is approximately 17 m (55.8 ft) deep.

The hole was created when sand was pumped from the Lake bottom to fill the Little Woods Canal, which ran parallel to the shoreline. Information from Orleans Levee District suggests that the sand was used to fill the canal prior to building the hurricane protection levee. Records show that clay from a borrow area near Howze Beach on the north shore was transported to the same site to cap the sand layer. This work took place in the 1970's.

Trackline map with contour lines: South Point Dredge Pit.
Figure 39: Trackline map with contour lines: South Point Dredge Pit.

Filled contour map: South Point Dredge Pit.
Figure 40: Filled contour map: South Point Dredge Pit.

3D bathymetric profile including filled contour map: South Point dredge pit.
Figure 41: 3D bathymetric profile including filled contour map: South Point dredge pit.

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