Blind River Freshwater Diversion

Client: CDM for Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA)

Date: 2010 – 2011

The objectives of the Blind River Freshwater Diversion project were to collect, siphon, convey, and distribute water from the Mississippi River to the wetland areas adjacent to the Blind River within St. James Parish.  These elements included an intake structure in the Mississippi River, siphon pipes and vacuum system, stilling basin, conveyance channels with required crossing structures, conveyance control structures, and distribution structures to allow water to replenish the wetlands while traversing to the Blind River.

Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc. (CEC) was in principle charge of a survey team that performed bathymetric centerline and cross sectional surveys along 18 miles of waterways in the Blind River / Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area. Additional bathymetric surveys were conducted in the Mississippi River at two potential siphon intake locations. All survey data was referenced to the project datum and evaluated for quality control.

In addition, CEC designed, installed, and maintained a water quality and current monitoring station along the Blind River near US Hwy 61.  The monitoring station consisted of an YSI multi-parameter data sonde and a Sontek horizontal acoustic doppler current profiler.  Parameters measured were: water velocities, water temperature, salinity, water level (referenced to project datum), dissolved oxygen, and pH.  The monitoring station was serviced monthly by CEC personnel, lasted one year, and resulted in zero data loss.