COASTAL WETLANDS PLANNING, PROTECTION AND RESTORATION ACT

PROJECT STATUS REPORT as of 03-Dec-2024

West Bay Sediment Diversion

PROJECT DATA

Point of Contact:

DEPT. OF THE ARMY
CORPS OF ENGINEERS

COASTAL WETLANDS PLANNING, PROTECTION AND RESTORATION ACT

PROJECT STATUS REPORT as of 03-Dec-2024

West Bay Sediment Diversion

PROJECT LOCATION:

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The project consists of a conveyance channel for large-scaled uncontrolled diversion of freshwater and sediments from the Mississippi River. The diversion channel would be constructed in two phases: (1) Initial construction of an interim channel to accommodate a discharge of 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the 50% duration stages in the River and marsh development areas, and (2) Modification of the interim diversion channel design to accommodate full-scale diversion of 50,000 cfs at the 50% duration stage on the River after a period of intensive monitoring of diversion operations. Diversion of the Mississippi River flow would induce shoaling in the Pilottown Anchorage Area and project funds will be used to dredge the area. Dredged material will be used beneficially to create wetlands in West Bay.

PROJECT STATUS: (Project Status Last Updated: 20-Aug-2008 )

Flow measurements taken in May 2008 recorded a discharge of 51,270 cubic feet per second of Mississippi River water through the project diversion channel. Since constructed in 2003 the diversion project discharge has averaged 19,188 cfs. Initial construction of the project was designed to allow the discharge of 20,000 cfs at the 50% exceedence stage. Discharge measurements are taken roughly monthly using an accoustic doppler profiler as part of project surveillance and performance monitoring. At this point there is no evidence in the project area of marsh accretion from the deposition of diverted river sediment. In 2006 the USACE performed maintenance dredging in the Pilottown Anchorage Area to remove induced shoal material in accordance with the project operations plan. Material from the dredging work was used benefcially for marsh creation in West Bay. The dredging event was performed using a hopper dredge linked to a pump out system - a first of its kind use of this technology in Louisiana wetlands restoration. To date approximately 225 acres of marsh have been created through the beneficial use of dredged material from the channel construction and maintaining the anchorage area. Project construction began in September 2003 and construction was completed in November 2003. An advertisement for construction of the project opened 08 July 2003 and bids were opened on 11 August 2003. Chevron-Texaco relocated a major oil pipeline in May 2003 under a reimbursable construction agreement. A real estate plan for the project was completed in October 2002 and execution of the plan will be completed in July 2003. The project Cost Sharing Agreement was signed August 29, 2002. A 95% design review was held May 17, 2002. A Record of Decision finalizing the EIS was signed on March 18, 2002. The Task Force, by fax vote, approved a revised project description and reauthorized the project to comply with CWPPRA Section 3952 in April 2002. At the January 10, 2001 Task Force meeting, approval was granted to proceed with the project at the current price of $22 million due to the increased costs of maintaining the anchorage area. A VE study on the project was undertaken in August 2000.

FUND STATUS:

The current project estimate is $50,863,503 , which includes $5,972,907 for construction first costs, and $1,196,946 and $43,693,650 for 20 years of monitoring and operations and maintenance, respectively.