Corps and DNR Host Rice Lake Open House

Published Jan. 20, 2010

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources invites the public to attend an open house for the Environmental Management Program’s Rice Lake Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project.

The purpose of the open house is to discuss with and gather comments from the public on the draft report findings. The project goals are to enhance wetland, aquatic, and floodplain habitat. Proposed project features include:

  • A perimeter water control levee to protect interior areas from frequent Illinois Waterway stage fluctuations during the critical growing season for moist-soil food plants;
  • An overflow spillway to protect the perimeter water control levee from erosion by equalizing water levels on either side prior to overtopping; 
  • A pump station to bring water into the site and discharge channel to allow water level manipulation in the fall (timely flooding) that is crucial to improving the success rate of submergent/emergent vegetation and their eventual use by migrating birds;
  • Mast tree and native grassland plantings on Duck Island to restore historic floodplain cover type, diversity, and provide food and cover for resident and migratory birds and mammals;
  • And fish egress structures to create access to deep water refuge, which increases the probability of survival for individual fish during the summer drawdown periods.

Anyone interested is invited to participate in the open house Jan. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Banner Township Hall, 273 S. McArthur, Banner, Ill.

During the open house, the Corps of Engineers and Illinois Department of Natural Resources employees will be available to explain the draft report results and to answer questions and listen to comments on the proposed modifications.

For more information, please call Mr. Darron Niles at 309-794-5400. Logistical questions about the open house may be directed to Ms. Marsha Dolan at 309-794-5648 or visit our website at http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/emp/hrep/ricelake.htm.


Release no. 10-01-11