Water Quality Study of Southshore of Lake Pontchartrain

• Main Author: Martinez Fernandez, Maria Carolina
• Format: Others
• Published: ScholarWorks@UNO 2005
• Subjects: Modeling; Bacteria; Fecal Coliform
• Online Access: http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/293; http://scholarworks.uno.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1326&context=td

In 2004, a field sampling study was initiated along the southern shoreline area of Lake Pontchartrain in Jefferson Parish, specifically, around Bonnabel Canal (Pumping Station No.1) to identify the effect of urban stormwater discharges on Lake Pontchartrain and to simulate the plume patterns from the Bonnabel Canal. Sixteen sampling stations were selected along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Under dry weather conditions Fecal Coliform values exceeded the limit of 200 MPN/100mL at 3 of 16 stations. Fecal Coliform counts were found to be "wet" weather-dependent and unsuitable for primary contact recreation for at least three to four days following a pumping/rain event. A 3-D Hydrodynamic Model (COHERENS) and the TECPLOT™ equation feature were used for the prediction of contaminant plumes from the Bonnabel Canal into the Lake Pontchartrain. The model verified the three day wet weather effect of stormwater discharges along the shoreline of the study area.