Pool 8 Islands, Phase I Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project

St. Paul District

Pool 8, Upper Mississippi River, Miles 685 - 688, Vernon County, Wisconsin, Congressional District: Wisconsin - 3

Partners

• USFWS
• WIDNR

Description

Many of the islands in pool 8 have eroded or disappeared.  This has increased wind fetch and associated turbidity in the backwater areas, resulting in a loss of valuable aquatic plant beds that migrating canvasback ducks use for food. The goal of the Pool 8 Island Construction-Phase I project is to preserve and enhance aquatic plant beds for fish and wildlife habitat.

 

Quick Facts

• Approximate Acres: 643
• State(s) Covered: Wisconsin
• Land Ownership: Federal
• Management Agency: USFWS
• Management Authority: Refuge

Features

• Restored and constructed three islands totaling 13,000 feet long to reduce wave action in the backwater area.
• Topsoil was obtained by dredging deepwater fish habitat within the project area and at Wildcat Creek. 
• The islands were protected with riprap, rock groins, or willows, and seeded to prevent erosion.

Milestones

• The Definite Project Report was completed in June 1989.
• Construction was initiated in September 1990 and completed in June 1993.
• The Operation and Maintenance Manual was completed in December 1993.
• The Project Completion Report was completed in September 2004.