Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI)

The Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI) is a holistic approach to watershed management that goes beyond conventional mitigation measures and incorporates nature-based solutions. The historic floods of 2016 exposed numerous issues with the way the state has handled flood management in the past, leading to an investigation of how Louisiana prepares for intense storm events. In response to this investigation, Gov. John Bel Edwards launched LWI. The Louisiana Watershed Initiative was founded in 2018 with a focus on establishing a regionalized approach to flood risk mitigation throughout the state. After its founding, the federal government announced that Louisiana would receive a $1.2 billion flood mitigation grant to be distributed to various communities via the Louisiana Watershed Initiative.

The program represents a $100 million project funding opportunity for eligible local and regional projects that will address immediate flood mitigation needs. These projects encompass areas that were greatly affected by the 2016 flooding that show benefit to areas exceeding that footprint and neighboring parishes.  Four projects have since been approved for funding and are in various stages of design. Please see below for brief project descriptions.

• • Bayou Duplantier Flood Plain Acquisition
  • Ward Creek Flood Plain Acquisition
  • Dawson Creek Drainage Improvements
  • Jones Creek Detention Improvements

Bayou Duplantier is a tributary within the Ward Creek watershed. Located near Louisiana State University, it captures runoff from highly developed areas and carries it downstream to Dawson Creek and then into Ward Creek.  As development increases throughout the area, flood storage and infiltration opportunities are greatly reduced, contributing to an added strain on Bayou Duplantier and downstream areas as it attempts to carry more floodwaters.  This strain results in an increased risk that surrounding areas will experience catastrophic flooding during an intense rain event.

This project includes the easement acquisition of approximately 200 acres of natural forested floodplain along the Bayou Duplantier channel.  This extends from near the LSU Lakes to Chandler Drive, upstream of the Bayou Duplantier/Dawson Creek confluence.  The establishment of easements will prevent future development in this area and help with flood risk mitigation of the adjacent developed areas. The proposed project will preserve some of the existing floodplain as well as the natural channel conveyance path by preventing development in that area while preserving existing wildlife habitat. The Parish will be responsible for maintaining the natural floodplain which will be limited to inspection and channel clearing as necessary to remove constrictions. The project is estimated to cost $8.4M, of which 100% is being funding by the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. Currently the project is in the survey phase. Once surveys are complete, easement boundaries will be established, and landowner discussions will commence.

Ward Creek is the main tributary in the Ward Creek Watershed and carries stormwater from developed areas downstream to Bayou Manchac. As development of this highly urbanized tributary watershed continues, valuable infiltration opportunities along Ward Creek become more and more scarce, resulting in increased channel flows. If unchecked, future development of the area will increase flooding upstream of the project location.

The project includes the easement acquisition of approximately 140 acres of land along Ward Creek in an effort to preserve the floodplain and conveyance of the channel. The establishment of easements will prevent future development of this area and provide flood risk mitigation for adjacent developed areas. Easement acquisition would provide East Baton Rouge Parish with security that the existing wetlands and floodplain will remain intact, prevent development in the floodplain and thereby mitigate potential increased risk of flooding throughout the area. The grant award is $5.7M, of which 100% is being funding by the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. The project is currently in the survey phase. Once surveys are complete, easement boundaries will be established, and landowner discussions will commence.

Dawson Creek is a tributary within the Ward Creek Watershed. Beginning north of I-10, it joins with Bayou Duplantier and captures runoff from highly developed areas and carries it downstream to Ward Creek. Currently, Dawson Creek experiences channel overtopping, resulting in road closures and structural flooding during intense rain events throughout the area.

East Baton Rouge Parish plans to construct a detention space that will allow for the Parish to provide approximately 213,000 cubic yards of storage volume for runoff, therefore reducing flood levels for surrounding areas.  The planned detention area will be located near the confluence of Bayou Duplantier and Dawson Creek as shown in the photo below. The project is estimated to cost $8.3M, of which 100% is being funding by the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. The project is currently in the design phase as the exact detention footprint is being finalized.

Jones Creek is the main tributary within its watershed. Extending from north of Florida Blvd, it captures runoff from highly developed areas and carries them downstream to the Amite River.  Currently, Jones Creek experiences overtopping, resulting in road closures and structural flooding during intense rain events throughout the area.

East Baton Rouge Parish plans to construct a detention space that will allow for the Parish to provide approximately 210,000 cubic yards of storage volume for runoff, therefore reducing flood levels throughout the area. The planned detention area will be located on the northern portion of undeveloped land at the old Sherwood Forest Golf Course with the intention of utilizing it for detention and secondarily as a park area.  The park area will provide recreational and educational opportunities to area residents.  While no plans are currently in place, the detention area provides the opportunity for the Parish to construct outdoor fields, walking trails, or even community gardens. The project is estimated to cost $9M, of which $6M is being funding by the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. The remaining $3M will be supplemented by East Baton Rouge Parish. The project is currently in the design phase.