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LPBF announces the release of Hydrocoast maps for the Period of June 16th to June 29th

The Hydrocoast program collects a number of environmentally dynamic datasets in an effort to monitor the condition (salinity component) of the basin's estuaries. Wind, rain, tides and freshwater influx from streams and diversions are variables that cause salinity fluctuation, and play a vital role in the health of the basin's estuaries. The Hydrocoast program monitors these variables over a seven day period and produces bi-monthly map products showing the movement of water and salinity across the basin (using field data, MODIS, sattelite imagery, precipitation data, wind data and permanent monitoring stations in the basin such as USGS buoys, Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (CRMS), etc.). As a tool, these map products can be used for scientific discussion, restoration planning between state and federal agencies, and by the commercial and recreational fishery community.

This Hydrocoast period expands two weeks and incorporates data collected during LPBF's Blue Moon Estuary Cruise which collects hydrological and biological data across the estuary from Lake Maurepas to the Chandeleur Islands. This Hydrocoast period is characterized by fresh conditions in Lake Pontchartrain which was below 2ppt over the entire lake. Lake Borgne was also fresh, below 5 ppt. Most of Chandeleur Sound and all of Breton Sound was below 20 ppt. Average daily discharge for the week decreased in rivers and outlets except at Bayou Lamoque. Average daily discharge difference between last Hydrocoast and the current was:
  • Pearl River = 12,046 to 5,785 cfs
  • Tangipahoa = 2,891 to 1,077 cfs
  • Tickfaw = 643 to 359 cfs
  • Amite = 5,419 to3,699 cfs
  • Caernarvon Diversion = 187 to 140 cfs
  • Mardi Gras Pass = 2,282 to 2,240 cfs
  • Violet Siphon = 285 to 260 cfs
  • Bohemia Spillway = 0 to 0 cfs
  • Bonnet Carré Spillway = 0 to 0 cfs
  • Bayou Lamoque = 1,678 to 2,056 cfs
  • Fort St. Philip = 32,236 to 28,891 cfs
  • Baptiste Collete = 71,776 to 65,466 cfs
  • Grand and Tiger Pass = 50,400 to 48,900 cfs
  • Main Pass = 49,400 to 49,000 cfs
  • West Bay = 41,900 to 41,100 cfs
  • Pass A Loutre = 32,100 to 31,300 cfs
  • Southwest Pass = 206,400 to 200,000 cfs
  • South Pass = 85,400 to 84,400 cfs
The Habitat Map shows soil water salinity contours across the land masses. During this Hydrocoast period there rainfall across the entire basin, ranging from 1 to 7 inches. Resultant winds were mostly from the south. Wind speeds ranged from 0 to 11.1 m/s (2 to 25 miles/hr). During this Hydrocoast period, an elevated fecal coliform count was found at Bayou St. John, Bogue Falaya and Bayou Lacombe. High fecal coliform counts were found at the Amite at River Road, the Amite at Hwy 16/42, the Amite at Idle Road, Abita River, Little Tchefuncte River and Cane Bayou. The water quality map also shows the impaired water bodies for Primary Contact (swimming, immersion likely) and Secondary Contact (boating wading, immersion unlikely) in the basin as prepared by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality under the EPA 305(b)/303(d) guidelines. This water quality map also includes a are of bottom water hypoxia in Chandeleur Sound that was detected during the Blue Moon Cruise. This area of hypoxia has been detected at varying sizes in this area every year since 2008. Please visit the coastal programs technical reports page at saveourlake.org to read more about this hypoxic zone

During this Hydrocoast period, oyster harvest area 8 (spanning the Bird's Foot Delta) was closed while all other areas east of the Mississippi River remained open. During this Hydrocoast period, oyster harvest area 8 (spanning the Bird's Foot Delta) was closed while all other areas east of the Mississippi River remained open. The map also shows the result of an aerial survey for shrimp and oyster boats conducted on June 26 from 7 am to 10 am. On the survey, 269 shrimp boats were counted mostly in Lake Borgne, the Biloxi Marshes and along the Mississippi River. There were also 9 oyster boats counted.

To receive Hydrocoast products by email please email Hydrocoast@saveourlake.org with "subscribe" in the subject line. For more information on the Hydrocoast maps and to view archived maps please visit http://saveourlake.org/coastal-hydromap.php











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