MIGRATION OF ISLES DERNIERES: PAST AND FUTURE 

 PART I: INTRODUCTION 



1 . Isles Dernieres are a group of islands located approximately 48 km 

 south of Houma, Louisiana, in the southwestern part of the Mississippi River 

 Deltaic Plain. The island complex is approximately 32 km long and has the 

 characteristic arcuate shape and orientation of islands formed from the re- 

 working of delta margins (Figure 1). Island widths are variable, ranging from 

 0.1 to 1 km. Isles Dernieres roughly parallel the mainland coast, acting as a 

 valuable storm buffer cushioning the impact of wave attack on the Terrebonne 

 Parish coastline. The islands also serve as habitat for many animals and as 



a base for commercial and recreational fishing. 



2. The original island, Isle Dernieres, has been broken through in 

 several places by channels resulting from overwash during storms, hence the 



50 KM 



j 



Figure 1. Generalized map of south Louisiana showing location of 



Isles Dernieres 



