The Biloxi Marsh complex consists of more than 100,000 acres of coastal wetlands located in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, approximately 30 miles southeast of New Orleans between Chandeleur Sound and Lake Borgne. The predominant feature of the lower Pontchartrain sub-basin, this marsh complex serves as a primary wave and storm surge barrier protecting New Orleans and the surrounding parishes. It is also a productive ecosystem that provides benefits for the human and natural environment, including mineral exploration.

Unfortunately, Biloxi Marsh has suffered significant degradation from the combined impacts of various natural and anthropogenic factors. Reduced sediment input, saltwater intrusion, subsidence, sea level rise, erosion from waves, and other mechanisms have resulted in loss of over 15,000 acres of marsh complex over the past 75 years.

We were selected by the State of Louisiana to design protection for seven miles of the Biloxi Marsh shoreline. Project tasks included a geotechnical investigation, bathymetric surveying, regulatory support, wave modeling and storm surge analysis, and final breakwater design. A key challenge was development of a breakwater cross-section that could be supported by the soft clay soils and still attenuate enough wave energy to provide the needed protection to the marsh.