Bay Island Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project

Rock Island District

Pool 22, Upper Mississippi River Miles 311.0 - 312.0, Marion County, Missouri, Congressional District: Missouri - 9

Project Partner

• Missouri Department of Conservation 

Project Description

Sedimentation from high flow levels on the Mississippi River had caused the deterioration and loss of wetland habitat at this location. In the absence of a rehabilitation and enhancement project, succession of the remaining habitat from wetland to terrestrial would progress to the detriment of waterfowl, eagles, shorebirds, furbearers, and other wildlife species. The use of selected interior areas to supply levee material resulted in the creation of additional wetlands. Water level management during critical times of the year at this location provides valuable resting and feeding habitat for migratory waterfowl and wintering bald eagles. Shorebirds, furbearers, and other wildlife species also benefit from this restoration of prime wetland habitat. Planting of mast tree species provides important food resources for wood ducks and adds diversity to the bottomland hardwood forest currently existing in the area.

Quick Facts

• Approximate Acres: 650 (Source: Operations & Maintenance Manual
• State(s) Covered: Missouri
• Land Ownership: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Management Agency: Missouri Department of Conservation
• Management Authority: Cooperative Agreement

Features

• 2-year flood protection levees enclose over 400 acres of forested wetlands. 
• The levees form two separate but conjoined wetland management units.
• Three stoplog structures and an electric pumping station allow water levels to be managed within the units.
• 30 acres of mast tree plantings within the management units.

Milestones

• The Definite Project Report was completed in 1990.
• Construction was initiated in 1991, and substantially completed in 1994 (DACW25-91-C-0057).  A contract to minimize operation and maintenance was  completed in August 2001 (DACW25-00-C-0010).
• The Operation and Maintenance report was completed in 1995.

• The initial Project Performance Evaluation Report (PER) was completed in 1999. Supplemental PERs were completed in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2015.

• Inspection of Completed Works were completed in 2012 and 2017.

• Performance monitoring continues.