Rock Island District
The Pool 18 Forestry Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project (HREP) is in Louisa and Des Moines Counties, Iowa, in Pool 18 of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). The Project site lies between the Iowa River delta, river mile (RM) 434.8 and Johnson Island, RM 420.2. Nearby towns include New Boston, Keithsburg, and Oquawka, Illinois.
Partners
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Project Sponsor)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Project Stakeholder)
Description
Today, the Project area includes mature forested wetlands, floodplain habitat, sloughs, and backwater wetlands. Blackhawk Island and Johnson Island are dominated by mature stands of cottonwood and silver maple. Historically, the Iowa River Delta supported the largest population of Kentucky coffee tree in the state of Iowa; however, a significant population decline has accelerated over the last five years. All Project lands are in Federal ownership and managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Project objectives include:
- Restore forest diversity based on species richness and age class.
- Increase area & vegetation diversity of seasonal wetlands and their transitional zones.
- Improve forest understory based on amount and diversity of vegetation.