Central Wetlands
The Central Wetlands are a 29,140-acre semi-impounded wetland, located in Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes. It is bordered by the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO, now closed) and the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) Levee to the east and the 40 Arpent Levee and Canal to the west.
Prior to European settlement, the Central Wetlands was made up of a combination of bald cypress and water tupelo swamp, fresh marsh and bottomland hardwood forest. This provided natural storm surge protection for the people of New Orleans. Currently, the Central Wetlands is a mosaic of wetland habitats that range from relatively healthy with stable soil and dense vegetation to open water and ghost swamps. The Central Wetlands are subject to influences inside and outside the area that can have an effect on water flow and salinity.
Prior to European settlement, the Central Wetlands was made up of a combination of bald cypress and water tupelo swamp, fresh marsh and bottomland hardwood forest. This provided natural storm surge protection for the people of New Orleans. Currently, the Central Wetlands is a mosaic of wetland habitats that range from relatively healthy with stable soil and dense vegetation to open water and ghost swamps. The Central Wetlands are subject to influences inside and outside the area that can have an effect on water flow and salinity.
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Study of the Central Wetlands
There has been great interest and much conversation about the restoration and effective management of the Central Wetlands since Hurricane Katrina devastated much of the Ninth Ward community and surrounding area. The closure of the MRGO was a solid first step towards hydrologic restoration. An in-depth understanding of the environmental parameters found across the Central Wetlands will allow for more informed planning of restoration activities, which will increase the success and effectiveness of those restoration activities and their impact on the surrounding communities.
Monitoring and Research
PC studied the Central Wetlands by collecting water depth, surface salinity, soil salinity and vegetation data. PC studied the Central Wetlands in order to understand the health of the region and what kinds of restoration are needed, feasible and realistic.
Our findings determined that the Central Wetlands cannot be thought of as one large area under the same influences, and therefore restoration solutions do not apply universally across the entire area. Varying salinities, water depth and vegetation indicate precise and separate areas with different restoration needs.
Our findings determined that the Central Wetlands cannot be thought of as one large area under the same influences, and therefore restoration solutions do not apply universally across the entire area. Varying salinities, water depth and vegetation indicate precise and separate areas with different restoration needs.
Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective
Learn more about our latest work in the Central Wetlands with multiple community partners as CWRC.