Wetlands in the Bayou aux Carpes area, south of New Orleans, La., currently are isolated from direct inflow of storm water runoff by levees and spoil banks. The USACE is considering removal of a spoil bank that would allow storm-water runoff to flow through and across the wetlands. . The wetlands consist of floating marshes, with a predominately organic substrate, and forested wetlands, some of which occur within the floating marshes. The USGS is documenting existing conditions in the marshes, including documentation of porewater quality, primarily nutrients, and soil quality (degree of decomposition). Water in the main canal is being sampled for a suite of herbicides and water level gradients across the area. The period of the study is one year.