Breton Island (Louisiana) facts for kids
Breton Island is a special group of islands in the Gulf of Mexico. It is located near the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. This important area is part of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, which was created in 1904 to protect wildlife.
How Breton Island Changes Over Time
Breton Island has changed a lot throughout history. In the early 1800s, it was actually two separate islands. Later, it became one single island.
However, powerful storms have reshaped it. After Hurricane Opal hit in 1995, the island split into two parts again. Then, Hurricane Georges in 1998 caused even more changes, dividing it into three islands. Another big storm, Hurricane Ivan in 2004, also caused damage to the island.
Saving Breton Island from Erosion
Breton Island has been shrinking over the years because of something called erosion. Erosion happens when wind and water wear away the land. For example, in 1869, the island was about 820 acres big. By 1996, it had shrunk to only 125 acres!
People are working hard to help save Breton Island. Some restoration work was done in 1999. This project received money from a special law called the Water Resources Development Act of 1992.
More recently, money from fines related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is being used to rebuild the island. The goal is to make Breton Island much bigger again, aiming for about 400 acres. This helps protect the island and its important wildlife.
