Restoration Strategy: To restore 750 acres of submerged aquatic vegetation on Sabine NWR through construction of marsh terraces. This project involves construction of earthen terraces within a marsh that is being impacted by highly saline water from the Gulf of Mexico. The marsh terraces will restrict water flows and salinity spikes that are detrimental to marsh vegetation. Completion of this project, in conjunction with increased flow of freshwater from Sabine River, will return marsh hydrology to historical patterns, thereby allowing the marsh vegetation to recover and improve habitat conditions for waterfowl. The marshes in southwestern Louisiana provide habitat for a variety of waterfowl species including gadwall, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, northern shovelers, northern pintails, mallards, mottled ducks, ring-necked ducks, and lesser scaup. The USFWS will manage the area to maintain submerged aquatic vegetation for wintering waterfowl.

Location: Approximately 8 miles north of Johnson Bayou, LA (Cameron Parish)

Acres Impacted: 750 acres

Habitat Type: Coastal Marsh
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Partners:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ducks Unlimited, Inc

Timeline:  Project was completed in summer 1999

DU Contact: 

Bob Dew
Regional Biologist
646 Cajundome Blvd., Ste. 180
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 291-3065
bdew@ducks.org