Plan your Visit to the Refuge
Hunting, Fishing, Camping and Canoeing

Pool 8 Island Construction

Islands are being built in a 1,000-acre backwater area just down river of Brownsville, MN. The site lies along Raft Channel within the Refuge.

Since the creation of Lock and Dam No. 8 in 1937, many of the natural islands in this area eroded and disappeared.  Island loss allows more wind and wave action in the backwaters, keeping sediment suspended (turbidity).  The suspended sediment in turn makes it difficult for sunlight to penetrate the water and reach aquatic plants.  All this results in the loss of valuable aquatic plant beds that migrating waterfowl and fish use for food and cover. 

Boaters will have access to Raft Channel and Schnick’s Bay during the construction period, but should use caution in and around construction activities.  Please stay off the new islands and keep clear of construction equipment and submerged or floating dredge pipe.

This project is being constructed in the Wisconsin Islands Closed Area, an area closed to migratory bird hunting. Boaters are also reminded the closed area is a voluntary avoidance area from October 15 through the end of the state duck hunting season.

Twelve islands are being constructed with dredged material from Schnick’s Bay and at the Above Brownsville placement site (Crater Island).  To prevent the new islands from eroding, rock is being placed along sections of shoreline and vegetation will be planted.  These new islands will maintain and help reestablish aquatic plant beds and deepwater habitat.  Migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mammals such as beaver, mink, and otter will benefit from this project. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the public planned and designed this project as a cooperative effort.

Photo courtesy of UMESC.