Home / Environment / River Sand Reborn as Wildlife Islands
River Sand Reborn as Wildlife Islands
24 Sep
Summary
- Sand dredged from Mississippi River built seven new islands.
- Restoration project improved 270 acres of aquatic habitat.
- Work balances navigation needs with ecological restoration.
Seven new islands have been constructed using sand dredged from the Mississippi River as part of a significant habitat restoration project at McGregor Lake in Wisconsin. This initiative, completed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, repurposed approximately 500,000 cubic yards of material. The project, which began in 2020, has enhanced over 270 acres of aquatic habitat, alongside improvements to floodplain forest and wetland protection.
The restoration effort addressed dual needs: maintaining the Mississippi River's navigation channel and revitalizing habitat in its backwater lakes. Dredged sand was strategically used to build the islands, which were further enhanced with vegetation. Additionally, 35 acres of backwater fisheries habitat were improved, creating crucial overwintering grounds for fish. Other components of the restoration included building five rock features and stabilizing over one mile of shoreline to reduce erosion.
The McGregor Lake project is part of the broader Upper Mississippi River Restoration program, a four-decade-long federal initiative. This program has completed over 62 habitat projects, benefiting approximately 120,000 acres. The work underscores a commitment to balancing the river's role as a transport route with the ecological health of its surrounding ecosystems.
