Historical and projected coastal Louisiana land changes: 1978-2050

Outside front and outside back cover photographs: Louisiana coastal landloss is dramatically depicted by these various views of USGS benchmark “TT 62 F,” set in concrete in 1932 on dry land near the Elliot home on Bayou Couba, which is approximately 13 miles southwest of New Orleans between Lakes Cataouatche and Salvador in St. Charles Parish, LA. The benchmark now sits in approximately 2 feet of water, about 15 feet from the shoreline of Couba Island. (See map below.) Left front cover photo (dead live oak and benchmark) was taken facing north. Right front cover photo (man fishing near pilings and benchmark) was taken facing west. Outside back cover is a zoomed-in picture of the benchmark’s brass cap. Benchmark legal description – Bayou Couba, near mouth of, 20 feet South, thence 5 feet West from large lone live oak, 15 feet North from center of fireplace chimney of Mr. Elliott’s house, in concrete post, standard tablet stamped “TT 62 F 1932”, LA south stateplane coordinates; x = 2,349,092, y = 410,266. Marker was set with a Horizontal Position ONLY. These photos, taken in August 2003, are being used with permission  by Lane Lefort, New Orleans, Louisiana.