Review for LA Geography II

Storm surge: wall of ocean water that is pushed inland during a hurricane Coastal Plain: low flat region built by a river Uplands: areas of Louisiana with the highest elevation Coastal marsh: wet grasslands formed by river sediment deposited along the coast Floodplains: flat valley floor covered by excess water one of Louisiana’s natural regions

Meandering streams: rivers that wind their way back and forth across the floodplain in loops and curves Natural levees: sediment builds along the riverbank forming strips of elevated land Terraces: elevated ridges formed from old river beds Point bars: formed from sediment falling to the bottom of the river after the current slows along the inside of the meander

Cheniers: ridges of high ground in the coastal marsh that run parallel to the coastline; composed of shell and sand Deltas: landform shaped like a fan or a bird’s foot where a river flows into the ocean Barrier islands: created after a river abandons its delta, which erodes away leaving a crescent-shaped island Salt dome: parts of the sea that dried up leaving a layer of salt ten miles below the ground

Red River: a river with high salt content Atchafalaya River: longest distributary of the Miss. River; half nation’s birds migrate here; Mississippi wants to change course to this river Bayou Teche: Acadians settled here Bayou Lafourche: Highway 1 runs along it; once part of Miss. River

Old River Control Structure: a structure used to divert ¼ of the Miss. River and all of the Red River into the Atchafalaya River Bonne Carre Spillway: diverts water from the Miss. River to Lake Pontchartrain Morganza Spillway: diverts water from the Miss. River to the Atchafalaya River J. Bennett Johnston Waterway: located on the Red River

Where does the Mississippi River begin? Minnesota Where is the Mississippi River delta? Plaquemines Parish Where would the Mississippi River like to change course? Atchafalaya River How often does the Miss. River change course? Six times When did the Great Flood begin? 1927

What caused the Great Flood? Spring rains and heavy snow melt in north on Miss. River How do we control flooding in Louisiana? Levees, flood control structures, locks, dams, floodgates How do barrier islands protect Louisiana? 1) absorb storms; 2) protect the mainland from erosion; 3) block saltwater from entering the marsh during storms; 4) home to thousands of birds, turtles, fish, and shellfish

Why is Louisiana losing land due to coastal erosion? Canals and pipelines from oil and gas Ocean waves and hurricanes accelerates erosion Global warming is also impacting our coastal marshes Extensive levee systems Dammed rivers for reservoirs

How are we trying to save Louisiana? Grasses have been planted in some areas to help hold the soil in place Sand is pumped onto barrier islands to keep them from eroding away Diversion Project which pump sediment from the Miss. River to the coastal marsh-

Why is the Mississippi River important to Louisiana? Provides freshwater to all states and counties along it Trade for Midwest as well as New Orleans Economy of New Orleans and Baton Rouge Oil and gas industry Food

What would happen in the Miss. River changes course? No drinking water from Baton Rouge down The Port of New Orleans would be destroyed Economies of N.O. and Baton Rouge destroyed Swamp area between New Orleans and Atchafalaya No access to the river Shipping destroyed Flooded lands and housing

What types of architecture would you find in LA? Shotgun, Acadian Cottage, Creole French, Spanish Colonial and Am. Greek Revival What are the original cultures of LA? French, Acadians, Spanish, German, Islenos, African, What type of music was created in LA? Jazz, Zydeco, Cajun

What material was used to build a French Creole house? Bousillage How many regions does LA have? 5 Plantation, Cajun, New Orleans, Crossroads, Sportsman’s Paradise