Field work — Wax Lake Delta

I was recently a participant on a field excursion with a crew out of the University of Texas to the Wax Lake Delta where they have ongoing projects. We simply went out to build some platforms that the research group will later place some long-term monitoring equipment on. Below is a satellite image of the Wax Lake Delta.

Wax Lake Delta satellite image.

The WLD is a really interesting location for study because it’s entire history is well documented. The US ACE created a canal for flood control from the Atchafalaya River (really the Wax Lake) to the Gulf of Mexico in 1942, and the entire delta has been built by rapid deposition since then. The delta is therefore the site of numerous delta formation and autogenic process studies.

Below are a few more pictures from the field work, including one of the platforms we built.

Me working in the levees of the WLD, near one of the build sites.

One of the four platforms we built. The structure will support an array of data logging equipment and a car battery. Theoretically, the platform is above the 1-5 year flood stage. Each of the four corner poles are driven about 10 feet into the ground. The other two poles are spares and will be used when attaching the monitoring equipment.

Periodic rain meant lots of rainbows. Taken from the boat we had for the duration of the work.