Purpose
Assess the extent of damage of islands and habitat and determine repairs necessary for the Harpers Slough Project in Pool 9. Construction was completed in 2017; however, two consecutive years of high water (including record levels in 2019) prevented plantings from becoming established and caused significant breaches in three islands. Island loss led to material deposition in the backwaters, resulting in less productive habitat for fish and wildlife and the project not achieving the benefits originally anticipated.
Location
The project area is a 3,510-acre backwater located primarily on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River in Pool 9, about 3 miles upstream of Lock and Dam 9. The site is in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
Description
The proposed project goals include protecting and restoring island complexes that would enhance quality habitat for native and desirable species by reducing suspended solid concentrations and reducing wind fetch. Project features may include island construction, shoreline protection rock mounds and dredging.
Status
A construction contract was awarded in September 2014; work was completed in August 2017. Island tree plantings were initiated in 2018 and completed in 2020. As a result of high flows in 2020, damage occurred to the project. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) requested repairs before formally accepting the project and assuming operation and maintenance responsibilities. As a result of necessary repairs, a letter report and plans and specifications were completed in January 2021. A repair contract was awarded on May 19, 2021, to Water Works Dock and Boat Lifts, Inc. for $2,351,937.49. Construction began on July 19, 2021, and the project is expected to be physically complete by December 2022.
Authority
Congress originally authorized the UMRR Program in Section 1103 of the 1986 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) (Public Law 99-662), codified at 33 U.S.C. 652. Section 307 of WRDA 2020 (Public Law 116‒260) increased the authorized program funding to a combined $55 million annually.
The Corps will plan and design the project as part of a cooperative effort with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Wisconsin and Iowa Departments of Natural Resources and local interests.
Funding
Project design and construction costs were 100% federal because the project is located on lands managed as a national wildlife refuge. Operation and maintenance costs are 100% federal and a responsibility of the USFWS.
Construction Funding to Date $16,422,000