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Originally Posted by toodeep
wow. sound like this scientist went to Yale. correct me if I am wrong but hasn't big lake always been salty?
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Incorrect. The south end would have had some salinity, but historically, Cypress trees grew in Turner's Bay and areas further north. I believe there are historical accounts indicating that the lake was marginal oyster habitat, and no reefs existed in the northern portion of the lake.
Prior to the dredging of the ship channel, there was a sand bar at the mouth of the Calcasieu River that functioned as a saltwater barrier. That, of course, was destroyed when they dredged the channel.
Sounds like an interesting meeting. Wonder what they've come up with. It could definitely go a long way to maintaining the estuary. And, like W said, could lead to the weirs being a secondary salinity control, allowing them to stay open more often. Win-Win here if done right.