History

The Natural History of Jefferson Parish

Jefferson Parish lies between the south shore of Lake Ponchartrain and the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. It is a diverse land of bayous, cypress swamps, marshes, lakes, islands and bays.

Jefferson Parish is part of the Mississippi River's delta system, land built up out of the Gulf of Mexico by sediment deposited by the river. This is one of the world's largest delta systems and a place rich in natural history.

The Missippippi is a dynamic river and has changed its course frequently through the centuries. The Corps of Engineers has gone to great lengths to check the river's tendency to overflow its banks and undergo changes in direction. The present geography of Jefferson Parish is a direct result of the Mississipi's more course changes over hundreds of years.

An Imaginary Tour of Jefferson Parish

The natural state of the entire region was greatly altered by Europeans. Many populated areas were once marshes and bayous before being "reclaimed" for use by man. It is interesting to take an imaginary tour through pre-European Jefferson Parish.

The northern boundary of the parish lies in the middle of Lake Ponchartain. Our imaginary tour will take us south through Jefferson Parish to the barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico. Heading south, we first encounter a sandy lakeshore. A little further south is a marsh fed by the brackish waters of the lake. Soon we enter a cypress swamp. We then encounter a forested ridge on the north shore of Bayou Metairie. Crossing the bayou we encounter another forest on the south ridge of the Bayou and then enter another cypress swamp. We then encounter a steady incline as we approach the Mississippi. South of the Mississippi we find a land of swamps and bayous. As we approach the Gulf of Mexico we find ourselves moving through tidal marshes, lakes and bays finally arriving at the barrier islands which mark the southern extent of Jefferson.

Although much has been changed by modern man, especially in the northern parts of the parish, much of the natural beauty of Jefferson Parish remains.

Topography from Jefferson's lake to gulf shores; natural state before arrival of European colonists.

Natural History Articles...

The Great Egret

The Great Egret was nearly wiped out by plume hunters, but today these spectacular birds are a common site in Jefferson Parish. The egret is a living reminder that we can and should protect our natural resources.

<Click here.>

Bayou Metairie

Bayou Metairie was once a central feature in the topography of Jefferson Parish. Although it has been reclaimed and replaced by the bustling suburbs of the East Bank, it played an important role in the history and development of our region. <Click here.>

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