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LA 8. Ponchatoula Marsh. Acreage: 4000 estimated. 



Location: Tangipahoa Parish; Ponchatoula Quadrangle; about 1 mile SE of 

 Ponchatoula; reached via U.S. 51. 



Description: A fresh-water marsh with a cypress swamp border. Panicum 

 hemitomon, with Typha, Sagittaria, and Pontederia, forms a thick mat over what 

 was probably a former lake bed. 



Encroachments: A drainage canal was dug in part of the marsh about 10 years 

 ago and the peat, which was 6 ft deep, is becoming compacted. The adjacent 

 cypress swamp was one of the last major swamps to be logged in Louisiana. 

 Trappers burn part of the marsh every year. 



Ownership: Not reported. 



Data source: Clair A. Brown, 1 180 Stanford Ave., Baton Rouge, La. 70803. 



Other knowledgeable persons: Dr. Earl Ray Wascom, Botany Department, 

 Southeastern Louisiana, Hammond, La. 70401. 



