FY 2027 STATUS Complete
Type Marsh Creation
Funding Source(s) StateCWPPRA
Estimated Cost $81.4 million
Located along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain in St. Charles Parish, the LaBranche wetlands form a vital component of Louisiana’s multiple lines of defense, buffering storm surge, protecting critical transportation corridors, and supporting rich fish and wildlife habitat. Decades of hydrologic alteration, including historical dredging and construction of I-10, contributed to significant land loss throughout the area. In response, CPRA and St. Charles Parish have advanced a series of complementary restoration and protection projects aimed at stabilizing the shoreline, rebuilding lost wetlands, and strengthening long-term community resilience.
LABRANCHE MARSH CREATION (PO-0075)
The LaBranche Marsh Creation project restored critical wetland habitat along this rapidly changing shoreline. Implemented in three phases, the project used dredged material from Lake Pontchartrain to construct approximately 1,470 acres of new emergent marsh, improving water quality and enhancing habitat for fish and wildlife.
Completed in late 2024, the restored marsh platform helps reinforce the region’s multiple lines of defense by creating a natural buffer for nearby communities and protecting essential infrastructure, including the I-10 hurricane evacuation route.
LABRANCHE SHORELINE PROTECTION (PO-0194)
The LaBranche Shoreline Protection project delivers long-term defense against erosion along roughly 13,000 feet of the Lake Pontchartrain shoreline. A rock breakwater system reduces wave energy, stabilizes the shoreline, and protects valuable intertidal habitat that has historically eroded by nearly 10 feet per year.
Completed in August 2025, this $24 million investment continues to perform as intended, bolstering the resilience of the LaBranche shoreline and supporting the long-term health of adjacent wetlands. The project also aligns with priorities outlined in the St. Charles SHIELD Plan: Stabilizing Habitats through infrastructure, Ecology, and Land Defense, reinforcing shared goals for ecosystem restoration and community protection.
“Great progress is being made in St. Charles Parish to protect our residents, our marsh, and our environment from future storms. I extend my sincere appreciation to CPRA and all of our partners whose hard work made this project possible.”