chandeleur lighthouse

Formed more than 2,000 years ago, the Chandeleur Island chain has a colorful past both geologically and in terms of human use. The shifting sands of these barrier islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico buffer the mainland of Louisiana and Mississippi against storm surge. They are a prized habitat for birds and aquatic animals and comprise the United States second-oldest national wildlife refuge. For more than a century, the Chandeleurs have been a favored destination for scientists, naturalists and anglers.


Sadly, the islands are shrinking, and Hurricane Katrina swiftly devoured a significant percentage of their land mass in 2005. Included in this sudden loss was the 102-year-old lighthouse at Hewes Point. The storms violent wind and waves scoured the water bottom beneath the lights feet and sank it to newfound depths in Chandeleur Sound.


Coastal erosion continues to claim more of this amazing landscape, most recently with the passage of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008. Researchers are now concerned that the islands may disappear entirely and much sooner than originally predicted.


To keep the history of this isolated locale alive, Louisiana Sea Grant has compiled this collection of photographs, interviews and information to serve as a gateway for anyone wanting to learn more about the unique coastal ecology, geology and past of our vanishing barrier island systems.

For more videos and information, visit http://www.laseagrant.org/lighthouse/index.html.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Chandeleur lighthouse
• lighthouse
• Louisiana
• coastal Louisiana

[captaincomp64]

I'm only 19, but I can remeber my dad who is a charter boat captain, bringing me out to Chandeleur from Biloxi on his overnight trips and catching fish and just admiring this piece of history. I want to dive on it. It has been found and is in 40 ft. of water. I little ways from Redfish point I believe.