Water Quality Analysis of a Freshwater Diversion at Caernarvon, Louisiana

Lane, Robert R.; Day, John W.; Thibodeaux, Burnell J.

doi:10.2307/1352988

Cited by 161 publications

(109 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Estuaries are particularly sensitive to water diversions because reduced freshwater inflows can alter sediment budgets (Wright and Schoellhamer 2005), water quality (Lane et al 1999;Monsen et al 2007), biological productivity (Jassby and Cloern 2000;Jassby 2005), and distribution of invertebrates (Stora and Arnoux 1983;Rodriguez et al 2001;Kimmerer 2002a;Massengill 2004) and fishes (Kimmerer 2002a;Feyrer et al 2007). Natural mortality for young fishes is very high (Houde 1987); entrainment adds additional mortality that can compromise population resilience (Barnthouse et al 1983;Stevens et al 1985;Boreman and Goodyear 1988;Pawson and Eaton 1999;Bennett 2005;Kimmerer 2008).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Affecting Fish Entrainment into Massive Water Diversions in a Tidal Freshwater Estuary: Can Fish Losses be Managed?

Grimaldo

Sommer²,

Ark³

et al. 2009

N American J Fish Manag

114

140

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Abstract.-We examined factors affecting fish entrainment at California's State Water Project and Central Valley Project, two of the largest water diversions in the world. Combined, these diversions from the upper San Francisco Estuary support a large component of the municipal and agricultural infrastructure for California. However, precipitous declines in the abundance of several estuarine fish species, notably the threatened delta smelt Hypomesus transpacificus, have generated major concern about entrainment as a possible cause of the declines. We examined a 13-year data set of export pumping operations and environmental characteristics to determine factors affecting entrainment (as indexed by salvage at fish screens) and the potential for manipulation of these factors to improve conditions for fish. Entrainment of three migratory pelagic species-delta smelt, longfin smelt Spirinchus thaleichthys, and striped bass Morone saxatilis-was primarily determined by the seasonal occurrence of particular life stages close to the export facilities. We also found that the direction and magnitude of flows through the estuary and to the export facilities were reasonable predictors of pelagic fish entrainment. Entrainment of resident demersal species (prickly sculpin Cottus asper and white catfish Ameiurus catus) and littoral species (Mississippi silverside Menidia audens and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides) was not explained by diversion flows, although large numbers of individuals from these species were collected. Our study suggests that entrainment of pelagic species can be effectively reduced by manipulating system hydrodynamics.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Affecting Fish Entrainment into Massive Water Diversions in a Tidal Freshwater Estuary: Can Fish Losses be Managed?

Grimaldo

Sommer²,

Ark³

et al. 2009

N American J Fish Manag

114

140

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“…Allison et al [14] reported that annual water and sediment discharge passing through Caernarvon diversion are 2 km 3 /year and 0.2 Mt/year, respectively. Water passing through the Caernarvon diversion structure immediately enters Big Mar and Lake Lery, and then through the complex Breton Sound estuary system [29,30]. Often the Caernarvon diversion is not operated when sediment spikes are present and therefore does not maximize potential sediment retention.…”

Section: Study Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of Texture and Erodibility for Sediment Retention in Receiving Basins of Coastal Louisiana Diversions

Bentley

Robichaux

et al. 2016

Water

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Abstract:Although the Mississippi River deltaic plain has been the subject of abundant research over recent decades, there is a paucity of data concerning field measurement of sediment erodibility in Louisiana estuaries. Two contrasting receiving basins for active diversions were studied: West Bay on the western part of Mississippi River Delta and Big Mar, which is the receiving basin for the Caernarvon freshwater diversion. Push cores and water samples were collected at six stations in West Bay and six stations in Big Mar. The average erodibility of Big Mar sediment was similar to that of Louisiana shelf sediment, but was higher than that of West Bay. Critical shear stress to suspend sediment in both West Bay and Big Mar receiving basins was around 0.2 Pa. A synthesis of 1191 laser grain size data from surficial and down-core sediment reveals that silt (4-63 µm) is the largest fraction of retained sediment in receiving basins, larger than the total of sand (>63 µm) and clay (<4 µm). It is suggested that preferential delivery of fine grained sediment to more landward and protected receiving basins would enhance mud retention. In addition, small fetch sizes and fragmentation of large receiving basins are favorable for sediment retention.

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“…In a review of surface water chemistry of freshwater forested wetlands, Hunter et al [44] reported that TN concentrations ranged 0.11-3.09 mg/L and TP concentrations ranged 0.2-1.0 mg/L. In coastal marsh/estuarine systems, TN concentration generally range 0.5-5 mg/L and TP concentrations range 0.02-0.30 mg/L [45][46][47][48][49][50].…”

Section: Current State Of the Cwumentioning

confidence: 99%

Restoration and Management of a Degraded Baldcypress Swamp and Freshwater Marsh in Coastal Louisiana

Hunter¹,

Day

Shaffer

et al. 2016

Water

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Abstract:The Central Wetlands Unit (CWU), covering 12,000 hectares in St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes, Louisiana, was once a healthy baldcypress-water tupelo swamp and fresh and low salinity marsh before construction of levees isolated the region from Mississippi River floodwaters. Construction of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), which funneled saltwater inland from the Gulf of Mexico, resulted in a drastic ecosystem change and caused mortality of almost all trees and low salinity marsh, but closure of the MRGO has led to decreases in soil and surface water salinity. Currently, the area is open water, brackish marsh, and remnant baldcypress stands. We measured hydrology, soils, water and sediment chemistry, vegetation composition and productivity, accretion, and soil strength to determine relative health of the wetlands. Vegetation species richness is low and above-and belowground biomass is up to 50% lower than a healthy marsh. Soil strength and bulk density are low over much of the area. A baldcypress wetland remains near a stormwater pumping station that also has received treated municipal effluent for about four decades. Based on the current health of the CWU, three restoration approaches are recommended, including: (1) mineral sediment input to increase elevation and soil strength; (2) nutrient-rich fresh water to increase productivity and buffer salinity; and (3) planting of freshwater forests, along with fresh and low salinity herbaceous vegetation.

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Water Quality Analysis of a Freshwater Diversion at Caernarvon, Louisiana

Cited by 161 publications

References 42 publications

Factors Affecting Fish Entrainment into Massive Water Diversions in a Tidal Freshwater Estuary: Can Fish Losses be Managed?

Factors Affecting Fish Entrainment into Massive Water Diversions in a Tidal Freshwater Estuary: Can Fish Losses be Managed?

Implications of Texture and Erodibility for Sediment Retention in Receiving Basins of Coastal Louisiana Diversions

Restoration and Management of a Degraded Baldcypress Swamp and Freshwater Marsh in Coastal Louisiana

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