2024 Map of Pass a Loutre East

About this map

Delta National Wildlife Refuge dominates this coastal landscape at the southeastern tip of Plaquemines Parish, where the Mississippi River distributaries meet the Gulf of Mexico. The area is a complex network of active passes and tidal bays, featuring major outlets like Pass a Loutre, Southeast Pass, and Northeast Pass. These waterways are flanked by shifting marshlands and unique geological formations, including the North Mud Lumps and Thomasin Lumps, which are seafloor deposits pushed upward by the weight of river sediment. Many of the features, such as Customhouse Bay and Jackass Bay, carry names rooted in the region's long maritime history. The map captures the current state of these vital wetlands, showing the dynamic interaction between river silt and the open sea, including significant sediment shoals like Middle Ground.