According to FEMA's Protecting Floodplain Resources: A Guidebook for Communities, "the recognized benefits of a naturally functioning
floodplain include the storage and conveyance of flood waters, the recharging of groundwater, the maintenance of surface water quality, and the
provision of habitats for fish and wildlife. These areas also provide diverse recreational opportunities. scenic value, and a source of
community identity and pride" (1996, p. 1).
There are many ways to protect natural floodplain functions, including:
Keeping areas of the floodplain in their natural state
Terrebonne Parish controls the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which are involved in the accommodation of floodwaters under the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
The natural areas map shows the waterways and wildlife management areas in Terrebonne Parish.
Approximately 85% of Terrebonne Parish is water or wetlands. Generally from north to south, the wetlands include fresh marsh, intermediate brackish marsh, and salt marsh near the coast line. These marshes are intertwined with hundreds of lakes, bays, bayous, and canals. Some of the more notable water bodies within the parish include:
Bayou Black
Bayou Dularge
Bayou Grand Caillou
Bayou Petit Caillou
Bayou Terrebonne
Houma Navigation Channel
Intracoastal Waterway
These bayous are significant as they have historically provided the land-building sediment that created the highest areas of the parish. The sediment was deposited during annual flooding cycles of Bayou Lafourche on the Lafourche delta lobe. It is upon these finger-like ridges that all urban and agriculture land exist in the parish today.
How can you help?
Erosion control on projects can help prevent sedimentation of flood paths. Report broken sediment fences or projects without a sediment fence to the Permit Office.