Morganza to the Gulf
Click for more information on the Morganza to Gulf Project
The Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection Project is a Hurricane protection system for Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the federal sponsor for this project, and the LA Department of Transportation and Development
with the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District jointly serve as the local sponsor. The Terrebonne Levee and Conservation
District will provide operations and maintenance once the system is complete.
The project purpose is to protect development and the remaining fragile marsh from hurricane storm surge. The area is significantly
affected by tides emanating from the Gulf of Mexico. Deterioration of coastal marshes, as a result of saltwater intrusion, land
subsidence and the lack of interchanges from the Mississippi River have increased surge inundation.
The hurricane protection system will consist of approximately 72 miles of earthen levee with 12 floodgate structures proposed for
the navigable waterways and a lock structure in the Houma Navigational Canal measuring 200-feet wide by 1200-feet long. The
structural features are integrated into the levee alignment to provide flood protection, drainage, and environmental benefits,
while allowing navigational passage.
Benefits
Innundation Reduction: This project will provide protection against tidal and hurricane surge up to a Category 3 storm.
Water Supply Protection: This project will eliminate over $200,000 in annual water treatment costs.
Environmental Benefits: This project has net positive benefits to the marshes and wetlands in the Terrebonne Basin.
Safe Harbor: Fisherman will no longer have to leave the area in a storm event.