Our Work

So, what do we plan to do?

First, we will develop and use computer models to simulate future physical changes to the Birdsfoot Delta above and below water.

Present management strategies used by important government agencies, such as the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority will be incorporated. The models will be guided by a range of likely future climate conditions (called “scenarios”), including river flow, weather, and ocean waves and currents. The models will be improved by incorporating measurements of present and past conditions in the Delta. Stakeholders will assist in model development by helping us determine the right questions to ask and information to include, such as critical river and ocean conditions known well to barge operators and commercial fishers.

Once we have identified how we think the delta will change in the future (what changes, where, how fast, and why) under this range of environmental conditions, we will explore the impacts of different management strategies on the “health” of the delta.

For example, can we manage river diversions and outlets to help improve navigation and reduce land loss?

Can we make the Delta survive longer or preserve ecosystems better by using new strategies to manage river water and sediment?

Next, we will explore the socioeconomic impacts of these predicted changes under different natural conditions (scenarios) and management strategies.

Which management strategies provide better health and resilience to communities and businesses?

Throughout the project we will involve students and young professionals from many backgrounds and educational levels to help us expand the human talent development of our coastal scholarship community. Not only is this work exciting and important, but it is a good way to earn a living in a region that we have chosen as home. We want to share that enthusiasm with those whom we hope will be the next generation of coastal experts.

MissDelta Partners

---