Cuivre Island Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project                                                                     

St. Louis District

Pool 26, Upper Mississippi River, Miles 233 - 239, Lincoln and St. Charles Counties, Missouri, Congressional District: MO - 3

Partners

• Missouri Department of Conservation 

Description

The Cuivre Island Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project is located on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River, in Pool 26, between river miles 233 to 239.  The project area consists of Cuivre Island, Cuivre Slough, Turkey Island Chute, and a mainland tract adjacent to Cuivre Island.

Problems occurring at the project area are high rates of sedimentation in the Cuivre Slough side channel and Turkey Island chute, sedimentation on Cuivre Island, lack of deep water in Cuivre Slough during winter and summer, limited water control capability on Cuivre Island, and loss of wetland habitat in the vicinity of the project area.

The overall goal is to restore riverine habitat diversity to benefit fish and wildlife species.  The objectives include: (1) maintain and improve side channel habitat by preventing river-borne sediment from filling side channel and providing a uniform average depth in side channel of 5 to 7 feet at normal pool elevation; (2) provide overwintering habitat for fish in side channel by providing areas of deep water greater than 8 feet; (3) increase habitat quality and quantity for wetland dependent wildlife; (4) increase diversity of wetland types within project area by restoring semi-permanent marsh; and (5) maintain and improve habitat quality and quantity of bottomland forest.

Project Features

• Removal of submerged remnants of old dikes
• Dredging
• Hardpoints, dike and levee construction
• Pumping system with new water control structures
• Reforestation and tree stand improvement measures

Quick Facts

• Approximate Acres: 1750
• Congressional District: MO - 3
• State(s) Covered: MO
• Land Ownership: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Management Agency: MDC
• Management Authority: Cooperative Agreement 

Milestones

• The Definite Project Report was completed in July 1994.
• Construction was completed in July 1999.
• Final Project Evaluation Report completed in September 2015