The Effects of 1973 Spring Floodwaters on Oyster Populations in Louisiana

A total of 122,700 acres ofleased oyster bottoms were adversely affected by the flood waters of 1973; this represented 68 percent of the leased oyster grounds in Louisiana. Additionally, much orthe public natural "Oyster Seed Grounds" were subjected to unusually low salinities, siltation, and vegetation overburden; this resulted in loss of a portion of the 1973 seed oyster crop.