Posted on September 28, 2026
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Islands and backwaters in the Mississippi River are disappearing, threatening natural habitats for fish and wildlife.
A $40 million habitat rehabilitation and enhancement project in the river’s Lower Pool 10 is underway near Guttenberg to rebuild islands and protect the ecosystem.
Erosion eating away at islands
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District’s Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program is celebrating its 40th year of restoring wildlife habitats.
Program manager John Henderson said the work is critical as islands are eroding over time from natural currents, river traffic and flood events. The erosion exposes river backwaters, destroying what used to be a floodplain forest that supports aquatic vegetation, fish, birds and other wildlife.
