Purpose
The Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) is a long-term program of ecosystem restoration and navigation improvements for the Upper Mississippi River System. NESP will improve system capacity and reduce commercial traffic delays through the construction of seven new 1,200-foot locks, addition of mooring cells, and inclusion of switchboat implementation.
Wacouta Bay is located at the head of Lake Pepin in Pool 4 of the Mississippi River. The study area spans the entirety of Wacouta Bay, located on the right descending side of the channel, at approximate river miles 784-786.
Concerns over habitat deficiencies in Wacouta Bay, most resulting from sedimentation and turbidity, include reduced aquatic and terrestrial habitat diversity and quality, lack of aquatic vegetation, lack of protected wetlands, and reduced abundance of fish and wildlife. Deep protected aquatic habitat for centrarchid fish and associated species is lacking in the backwaters and large shallow open water areas of Upper Lake Pepin.
Description
The Wacouta Bay project is a NESP study partnership among the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The study will consider alternatives including island building and enhancement, forest enhancement and creation, backwater restoration and dredging, island and shoreline protection, and use of dredged material.
Status
The Project Implementation Report was approved by the Mississippi Valley Division in July 2024. Design development will continue into 2025, with a construction contract award anticipated in fall 2025. Construction may commence in summer of 2026 and continue through 2027.
Authority
This work is authorized under Title VIII, General Investigations, of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.
Funding
Project planning and design will be 100% federally funded. Construction is anticipated to be under the ordinary high water mark and therefore will be fully federally funded. Operations and maintenance costs will be the responsibility of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Funds allocated to date ~$1.65 million
Anticipated construction cost ~$20.65 million