The area formed when a breach in the natural levee of the Mississippi River occurred in 1862 approximately 100 miles (160 km) below New Orleans, Louisiana.

Large numbers of wading birds nest on the refuge, and thousands of shorebirds can be found on tidal mudflats and deltaic splays.

Commonly observed species include greater and lesser yellowlegs, long-billed dowitchers, dunlins, western sandpipers, Wilson's plovers, killdeer and willets.

Large numbers of passerine birds (songbirds) utilize the refuge as a resting and staging area during the spring and fall migrations.

The fertile soils, vegetative composition, and shallow water wetland environment offers outstanding recreational opportunities such as fishing, wildlife observation, photography, hunting, and primitive camping.

The fresh marsh is located primarily on mineral soil and to a very limited extent, on floatons (i.e., floating mats of emergent vegetation).

The fertile soils, vegetative composition and shallow water environment create a highly productive habitat for fish and wildlife.

Marsh and beach areas were eroded, trees were blown down or damaged, debris was washed onto the refuge and vegetation was stressed by saltwater intrusion.