Improving Watershed Management Practices to Mitigate Flood Impacts on Human Settlements in Baton Rouge

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the following current Watershed Management Practices (such as Stormwater Infrastructure Enhancements, Green Infrastructure, Natural Waterway Restoration, Community Engagement and Education, and Policy and Regulatory Measures) that have been put in place to mitigate flood impacts on human settlements in the city of Baton Rouge to inform policymakers on better comprehensive plan. The policies suggested in this study will go a long way to help policymakers to adopt best practices to help minimize the flood risks and vulnerabilities across the city of Baton Rouge and its surrounding areas to fight against flood damages on human settlements. Again, this study is serving as an informative document for urban forestry students, academia, researchers, and key stakeholders since it aimed at identifying and showing the mapping flood-prone areas, assessing the adequacy of existing infrastructure, and understanding the socio-economic impacts of flooding on different communities by examining the implementation and programs outcomes for all the existing Watershed Management Practices put in place in the city of Baton Rouge and its surroundings to help mitigate flood impacts on human settlements. The study used a qualitative discourse analysis to identify the major watershed locations in Baton Rouge and the key watershed management practices implemented in the city of Baton Rouge to help mitigate flood impacts on human settlements. As part of the findings, the study revealed that Amite River, Comite River, Bayou Fountain, Ward Creek, Jones Creek, Bayou Manchac, and Blackwater Bayou are among the diverse watersheds’ locations in the City of Baton Rouge, which in effect play critical roles in water resource management and flood mitigation. Again, the study found that the variety of watershed management practices to mitigate flood impacts on human settlements encompassed both traditional infrastructure enhancements and innovative, as well as sustainable approaches. These practices included the following: (a) Stormwater Infrastructure Enhancements, (b) Green Infrastructure, (c) Natural Waterway Restoration, (d) Community Engagement and Education, and (e) Policy and Regulatory Measures. The study further found that the existing watershed management practices, drainage and flood control systems have proven inadequate to cope with the rising challenges, leading to repeated flood events that disrupt lives and economic activities in the city of Baton Rouge.

Keywords: Watershed, Management, Practices, Flood, Damage, Human Settlement, Waterways, Water resources, Natural Resources, Drainage, Stormwater, and Infrastructure Enhancement

DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/94-05

Publication date: June 30^th 2024