How does diversions help in combating saltwater intrusion?

Diversions help combat saltwater intrusion by channeling freshwater from rivers into coastal wetlands. This process contributes to building up coastal land, which is crucial for maintaining the salinity balance in estuaries. When freshwater enters these areas, it creates a protective barrier against saltwater, helping to sustain the health of plant and animal habitats.

In the context of coastal Louisiana, where saltwater intrusion poses significant challenges due to rising sea levels and geological subsidence, freshwater diversions can restore marshland and protect against erosion. By increasing the overall land mass of the coast, these diversions can also help absorb storm surges and mitigate the impacts of hurricanes.

Other options, such as utilizing imported freshwater, reducing river flows, or improving drainage systems, do not directly address the specific mechanism by which diversions restore coastal ecosystems and counteract the encroachment of saltwater into freshwater habitats. Instead, the emphasis on building both land and ecological resilience through diversions highlights their vital role in maintaining the delicate balance necessary for healthy coastal environments.