ABSTRACT

A better understanding of the turbidity and current patterns of Lake Pontchartrain is crucial to a proper evaluation of the environmental impact of the hurricane "barrier plan" proposed by the Corps of Engineers. What are some of the relationships between the turbidity patterns in Lake Pontchartrain and such meteorologic variables as wind, rain, barometric pressure, water level and tide? To answer this question, some measurements of the sediment plumes that trace the turbidity currents had to be made. The method of mapping from aerial photographs was chosen to obtain simultaneous coverage of the entire lake.

Sediment plumes were mapped from twenty-six LANDSAT satellite photographs to trace turbidity currents on different days from August 7, 1972 to June 10, 1976. Data from these maps were entered as dependent variables with various meteorologic data as independent variables.

Good correlations of sediment distribution with barometric pressure may affect sediment distribution through its effect on water level.

No significant correlations of sediment distribution with wind were found. The only significant correlation of sediment distribution with rainfall occurred at the station with greatest runoff.