Dresser Island Habitat Rehabilitation Project                                                         

St. Louis District

Pool 26, Upper Mississippi River, Miles 206 - 209, St. Charles County, Missouri, Congressional District: MO - 3

Partners

• US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Missouri Department of Conservation

Description

Dresser Island is located along the right descending bank of Pool 26 between river miles 206 - 209 in St. Charles CO., MO near the town of West Alton.  The island complex consists of approximately 940 acres of federal lands and waters managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation under a cooperative agreement through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The habitat had deteriorated due to the effects of flood-induced sediment deposition.  Plants essential for wildlife food cannot grow due to interior water level fluctuations. The proposed project’s goals are to reduce interior sediment deposition by 90%, improve water management and plant food availability to improve conditions for fish and waterfowl.

Quick Facts

• Approximate Acres: 940
• Congressional District: MO - 3
• State(s) Covered: MO
• Land Ownership: USFWS
• Management Agency: MDC
• Management Authority: Cooperative Agreement

Features

• Construct low levee (28,250 feet long) to encircle most of Dresser Island with connections crossing upper Brickhouse Slough to high ground on the Missouri mainland.
• Install gated drains for water release and control of interior water levels

Milestones

• The Definite Project Report was completed in May 1989.
• Construction was initiated in July 1990 and completed in 1991.
• The Operation and Maintenance Manual was completed in March 1992.
• The Initial Project Evaluation Report was completed in November 1998.