Geomorphic Evolution of the Coupled Raccoon Pass and West Belle Pass Barrier Spit, Louisiana

Made of the remnants of former Mississippi River Deltas, barrier islands stretch across Louisiana’s coast. As a first line of defense against storm surges, the restoration of these islands is a large part of the state’s Coastal Master Plan. This report looks at the aftermath of a 2012 West Belle Pass Barrier Headland Restoration Project that introduced 2.8 million cubic yards of sand to the system. Particularly, the report examines where this sand moved and an opportunity to study barrier arc development in the early stage of Louisiana barrier evolution.