description Wax Lake Delta Overview
The Wax Lake Delta is a river delta located in coastal Louisiana, formed within the Atchafalaya Basin. Its creation began in 1941 when the United States Army Corps of Engineers dredged the Wax Lake Outlet to prevent flooding in Morgan City. Since then, the continuous deposition of sediment has allowed the delta to expand naturally into the Atchafalaya Bay. It is studied extensively by geologists as a rare modern example of an actively prograding, land-building delta on the Gulf Coast.
help Wax Lake Delta FAQ
How was the Wax Lake Delta created?
The delta was inadvertently created in 1941 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredged the Wax Lake Outlet to reduce flooding in Morgan City, Louisiana. Since then, sediment from the Atchafalaya Basin has been continuously depositing at the outlet's mouth, building new land.
Why is the Wax Lake Delta important for Louisiana coastal restoration?
While most of coastal Louisiana is losing land to subsidence and erosion, the Wax Lake Delta is actively growing, making it a natural laboratory for scientists studying how sediment diversions can rebuild wetlands. Insights from this delta directly inform engineered sediment diversion projects planned for the Mississippi River Delta.
How does the Wax Lake Delta differ from the nearby Atchafalaya Delta?
Both deltas are in the Atchafalaya Basin and are the only two actively growing deltas on the Louisiana coast, but they have different origins. The Atchafalaya Delta formed naturally where the main river channel meets the Gulf, while the Wax Lake Delta formed at the mouth of an engineered outlet channel dredged in 1941.
Can you visit the Wax Lake Delta?
The Wax Lake Delta is accessible primarily by boat from Morgan City or other launches in the Atchafalaya Basin, and it is a popular destination for fishing and waterfowl hunting. Its remote, marshy terrain means there are no roads or developed visitor facilities within the delta itself.
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