Tucked along the southern rim of Lake Borgne in St. Bernard Parish, this restoration effort is one of the largest projects in CPRA history, and the largest marsh creation project ever constructed by dredge volume in Louisiana. The work happening here is monumental, helping to rebuild the lake rim and strengthen one of the region’s most critical natural buffers against hurricanes and storm surge.

Over the past five decades, saltwater intrusion, subsidence, and repeated storm impacts have transformed much of the once-vibrant Lake Borgne marsh into open water. To turn the tide, CPRA and its partners are rebuilding more than 3,100 acres of marsh by dredging over 14 million cubic yards of sediment from the bottom of Lake Borgne and pumping it into newly built containment cells. These cells, seven around Lake Borgne and one adjacent to Bayou La Loutre, were formed using earthen dikes that hold the dredged material in place while it settles and naturally vegetates.

This restored marsh not only brings habitat back to life but also serves as a powerful first line of defense for communities in St. Bernard Parish. By reinforcing the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS), the project surrounds levees and floodwalls with living marsh that helps dissipate wave energy, reduce storm surge, and lower pressure on manmade structures during tropical events.

Construction began in 2021, and as of late 2025, all major dredging and filling activities have been completed, on time and under budget. The new marsh platform will continue to settle and green over time, forming a thriving wetland landscape that protects Louisiana’s coast and communities for decades to come.