Hydrology of Forested Wetlands in the Atchafalaya River Basin

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Hydrology of Forested Wetlands in the Atchafalaya
River Basin Richard H. Day Thomas W. Doyle and
Steve Hartley U.S. Geological Survey National
Wetlands Research Center Lafayette, LA
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Project Focus

• Monitor water levels within forested areas of the
  Atchafalaya Basin to characterize the variety of
  hydrologic regimes
• Compare backswamp hydrology to in-channel
  hydrology and local rainfall
• Apply hydrology data to models of sedimentation,
  forest growth, and nutrient dynamics

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Atchafalaya Basin and Delta Complex
Simmesport
Wax Lake
Morgan City
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In-channel Gage LocationsSatellite Imagery - 2002
Interstate 10
Butte LaRose
Gages
Buffalo Cove
Morgan City
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Backswamp Hydrology
7 FEET OF WATER
DRY
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Beau Bayou Basin
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BUFFALO COVE Gage Transect20yrs Siltation
Progress
1978 Photo
2001 Photo
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BUFFALO COVE Gage Transect20yrs Siltation
Progress
1978 Photo
2001 Photo
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Flood Frequency Zones
Percent Flooded
lt 40
40-60
60-80
gt 80
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Levee heights
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Percent Inundation 58 Buffalo Cove 74
Lower Benoit 93 Upper Benoit
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Atchafalaya River Levee TransectButte La Rose, LA
Hardwoods
Willows
Cypress
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Backswamp Elevation Transect
Hardwoods
perched
h2o
High Water Mark
Ash
Cypress knee
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Buttswell and Water Marks
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Adventitious Roots
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Sedimentation Patterns
Sediment plume in Atchafalaya Basin
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Vegetation Classification
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LIDAR