2024 Map of Lake Athanasio

About this map

The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal cuts a sharp artificial line through the fragmented marshlands of southeastern Louisiana, dominating the water-soaked geography of this coastal area. This survey documents a complex network of estuarine environments where the Gulf of Mexico meets the interior wetlands of St. Bernard Parish and Plaquemines Parish. The map reveals the precarious nature of low-lying features such as Deadman Island and Grassy Island, which are separated by broad bodies of water like Breton Sound. The transition from protected waters like Lake Athanasio and Seven Dollar Bay to the open gulf at Point Gardner highlights the region's exposure to coastal erosion and shifting tides. This environment remains a critical zone for maritime navigation, evidenced by the presence of engineered passages like Canal Pecal and Pass Fernandez amidst the natural winding of Bayou Frenepiquant.