Lake Pontchartrain SAV data before and after 1998 Hurricane Georges

There were 4 tropical storms that affected Louisiana coastal area in September 1998. Following the category 2 Hurricane Earl which started on August 31st, there were two tropical storms (Frances, Hermine). Category 4 hurricane Georges followed at the end of September 1998. Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Areal Coverage Surveys to determine changes in SAV areal coverage after Hurricane Georges were conducted in early August and October of 1998. Pre-Hurricane surveys at Pointe Aux Herbes, Lacombe, and Goose Point were made on August 7, 11, 20th in August 1998. Post-Hurricane surveys were made on the 13th, 14th, and 15th in October 1998. Five line transects located at randomly chosen distances from one another were used at each site. These transects were established at 7, 14, 28, 32, and 49 meters from the east end of the 50 meters of designated shoreline at each site. Each transect extended 200 meters with measuring tapes perpendicular from the shoreline into the lake. Species intersected by the transects were identified, and the corresponding distance covered by each species was recorded in centimeters by direct observation while snorkeling.