Ambrough Slough Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project

St. Paul District

Pool 10, Upper Mississippi River Miles 638 - 642, Crawford County, Wisconsin, Congressional District: WI - 3

Partners

• U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR)

Description

Ambrough Slough is a side channel on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River in pool 10, about 5 miles upstream of Prairie du Cien, Wisconsin.  The slough enters a 2,500-acre backwater complex of lakes and smaller sloughs.  The site lies within the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.  The entire area has experienced a loss of depth from siltation and aquatic plant decomposition.  This limits the area of desirable fish habitat.  The area is important spawning and rearing habitat for a variety of fish, but this importance is diminishing.

Quick Facts

• Approximate Acres: 2746
• State(s) Covered: WI
• Land Ownership: Federal
• Management Agency: USFWS
• Management Authority: Cooperative AgreementApproximate Acres: 259  

Features

• Dredging in several of the backwater lakes to provide adequate depth for fish.
• Fresh water will be introduced into Gremore Lake to provide adequate dissolved oxygen levels by both dredging and use of a culvert. 

Milestones

• The Definite Project Report completed in December 2000.
• Project construction was initiated in September 2001 and completed in September 2004.
• The Operation and Maintenance Manual is pending.