Never been to N.O. ???

[TheShrimper]

What is the depth of Lake Ponchatrain and how wide is the inlet that seperates it from the gulf/bay ? Is it built up around the perimeter(housing) or is it marsh grass and wetlands? Just wanting to know.

[Rob Beaux]

THe lake is fairly shallow,,, I think the average depth is less thatn 25 feet. Lots of shallows with a few deep hole. The marshs are not really there anymore except in a few sparse areas east of the city. If youlook at a map the area between Kenner adn Laplace is the biggest marsh areas and between Laplace and Hammond. The city is on the Lake as most cities are that border lakes.

[Sean in New Orleans]

Actually the average depth of Lake Pontchartrain is more around 15 to 18 feet. The inlet from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Pontchartrain is less than a mile wide, but, it's certainly wide enough to be completely impacted by tidal surges and it is affected by tides daily.

[Rob Beaux]

Sorry about that Sean...I was going to say 12 but my UsL Oceanography days are a while back.

It should also be noted that the inlet is fairly Marshy and has very low lying land around the I-10 in New Orleans East. In addition you have the Intercoastal waterway and the Mississippi river Gulf Outlet allow more water into the Lake area.

[Sean in New Orleans]

It's all water and marsh down there....tropical depressions have STRENGTHENED over Louisiana marshland before. Unfortunately, Ivan won't even feel the Louisiana marsh. Ivan won't feel land if it hits Louisiana until it reaches the suburbs of New Orleans, literally...