Coastal & Marine Geology Program > Center for Coastal Studies > Lake Pontchartrain Basin

Geologic Framework and Processes of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin

Lake Pontchartrain Basin Home Field Methods Topics of Investigation Geologic Framework Shoreline/ Wetland Change Water Circulation Publications Satellite Imagery Bonnet-Carré Spillway Event Water Turbidity Sea-Surface Temperature 1997 Algal Bloom Project Contact: Jack Kindinger

Introduction Lake Pontchartrain Basin Lake Pontchartrain and adjacent lakes in Louisiana form one of the larger estuaries in the Gulf Coast region. The estuary drains the Pontchartrain Basin (at right), an area of over 12,000 km2 situated on the eastern side of the Mississippi River delta plain. In Louisiana, nearly one-third of the State population lives within the 14 parishes of the basin. Over the past 60 years, rapid growth and development within the basin, along with natural processes, have resulted in significant environmental degradation and loss of critical habitat in and around Lake Pontchartrain. Human activities associated with pollutant discharge and surface drainage have greatly affected the water quality in the lake. This change is evident in the bottom sediments, which record the historic health of the lake. Also, land-altering activities such as logging, dredging, and flood control in and around the lake, lead to shoreline erosion and loss of wetlands.The effects of pollution, shoreline erosion and wetland loss on the lake and surrounding areas have become a major public concern. To better understand the basin's origin and the processes driving its development and degradation requires a wide-ranging study involving many organizations and personnel. When the U.S. Geological Survey began the study of Lake Pontchartrain in 1994, information on four topics was needed: Geologic Framework, or how the various sedimentary layers that make up the basin are put together Sediment Characterization, that is, what are the sediments made of, where did they come from, and what kinds of pollutants do they contain Shoreline and Wetland Change over time what are the processes that control Water Circulation USGS Collaborators External Collaborators Jeff Williams (framework) Jack Kindinger (framework) James Flocks (geochem.) Rich Signell (modeling) Jeff List (modeling) Frank Manheim (contam. sed.) Chris Polloni (database, visuals) Chuck Holmes (age dating) Marci Marot (age dating) C. Demas (WRD, water quality) Rick Stumpf (remote sensing) Debra Willard (palynology) S. Penland (UNO) K. Clemens Dennis (NOAA) M. Davis (CRCL) D. Britch (USACE) C. Dufrechou (LPBF) J. Waters (LPBF) N. Thomas (EPA) S. Noakes (U Ga.) UNO - University of New Orleans CRCL - Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana LPBF - Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation   top of page

Project News: The Environmental Atlas of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin - USGS Open File Report 02-206 was posted online on May 14, 2002. Related Research Projects: Subsidence and Sea-Level Rise in Southeastern Louisiana: Implications for Coastal Management and Restoration USGS Coastal & Marine Geology Program Subsidence and Fault Activation Related to Fluid Energy Production, Gulf Coast Basin USGS Coastal & Marine Geology Program Related Links: Coastal Research Laboratory University of New Orleans Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation non-profit organization

Coastal & Marine Geology Program > Center for Coastal Studies > Lake Pontchartrain Basin

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Updated December 12, 2002 @ 03:34 PM(THF)