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LPBF announces the release of Hydrocoast maps for the Period of February 10th to February 16th

New This Week: Impaired Water Bodies on the Water Quality Map

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 is characterized by the fresehing of Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne with increased rainfall and freshwater discharge fropm local rivers. Salinities in eastern Lake Pontchartrain decreased from 8 ppt to 4 ppt and in Lake Borgne decreased from 12 ppt to 9 ppt at the mouth. The western side of Chandeleur Sound became more fresh, decreasing from 21 ppt to 17 ppt. Average daily discharge for the week decreased in all the Mississippi River outlets as the river stage decreased and increased in all rivers that are monitored as rainfall in the basin increased. The controlled discharges of Caernarvon Diversion and Violet Siphon both increased. Average daily discharge difference between last Hydrocoast and the current was:
  • Pearl River = 4,025 to 29,657 cfs
  • Tangipahoa = 436 to 1,751 cfs
  • Tickfaw = 107 to 797 cfs
  • Amite = 512 to 5,934 cfs
  • Caernarvon Diversion = 980 to 2,681 cfs
  • Mardi Gras Pass = 1,655 to 1,176 cfs
  • Violet Siphon = Closed to 225 cfs
  • Bonnet Carré Spillway = 0 to 0 cfs
  • Bayou Lamoque = 806 to 548 cfs
  • Fort St. Philip = 19,291 to 14,260 cfs
  • Baptiste Collete = 46,356 to 35,358 cfs
  • White Ditch Siphon = N/A
During this Hydrocoast period there was light rainfall across the southern portion of the basin at 0 to 2 inches of rain. The resultant winds for this period were variable, blowing mostly from the northwest but also from the southwest and the north east. Wind speeds ranged from 1 to 11.1 m/s (2 to 25 miles/hr). During this Hydrocoast period, elevated fecal coliform counts were found at Amite at Idle Road and Little Tchefuncte River and high fecal coliform counts were found at the Bonnabel Boat Launch, Pontchartrain Beach, Bogue Falaya, Amite at Catfish Landing, Amite Diversion at DC Road, the Amite at River Road, Bayou Manchac at Amite, Cane Bayou and Bayou Lacombe. 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.

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. A flight to count oyster boats was conducted from 7am to 8am on February 13th. A total of seven boats were counted, six in the Biloxi Marshes and one in the Breton Sound marshes. Low boat counts could be from low fishing effort or very cold temperatures that were present on the survey morning. The Biological Map also includes market prices for the week for hamper of crabs, half sack of oysters and shrimp over time since September 13th. Due to low fishing (either effort or catch) during this Hydrocoast period, market prices were not available for oysters.

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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