Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge
Rollover Bayou Structure

Restoration Strategy: To restore 16,568 acres of coastal marsh near Pecan Island, LA through construction and installation of the Rollover Bayou Water Control Structure on Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge. This project involves installation ten 30" diameter marine-grade aluminum pipes equipped with flap gates and stop-log water control structures. Completion of this project will return marsh hydrology to historical patterns, thereby allowing the marsh vegetation to recover and improve habitat conditions for waterfowl. At least two ecological functions are restored on this acreage: (1) the ability of the ecosystem to support migrating and wintering waterfowl and shorebirds is increased by improving productivity of submerged aquatic vegetation; and (2) reestablishment of submerged aquatics usually leads to plant succession, eventually restoring large areas of degraded open marsh to a more natural interspersion of emergent marsh and open-water ponds. The marshes in south Louisiana provide habitat for a variety of waterfowl species including gadwall, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, northern shovelers, northern pintails, mallards, mottled ducks, ring-necked ducks, and lesser scaup. The LDWF will manage this structure to regulate salinity levels and maintain proper water depths for production of submerged aquatic vegetation.

Location: Approximately 1 mile south of Pecan Island, LA (Vermilion Parish)

Acres Impacted: 16,568 acres

Habitat Type: Coastal Marsh (Estuarine Intertidal)
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Partners:  North American Wetlands Conservation Council
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Ducks Unlimited, Inc
Vermilion Corporation

Timeline:  Project was completed in summer 2004

DU Contact: 

Bob Dew
Regional Biologist
646 Cajundome Blvd., Ste. 180
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 291-3065
bdew@ducks.org