ENVIRONMENTAL POOL PLANS

CORPS OF ENGINEERS, ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT

MISSISSIPPI RIVER, POOLS 11- 22

**Insert photo from SPD document**

**Prepared by the Fish and Wildlife Interagency Committee**

**of the River Resources Coordinating Team**

**September 2002**

**Insert agency logos -- Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, COE/RID,
FWS, RRCT(?)**

Environmental Pool Plans

Mississippi River, Pools 11-22

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######## Table of Contents

######### Introduction 

######### Project Cooperators 

######### Description of Project Area/River Reach 

**Resource Issues**

**Desired Future Goals and Objectives**

**Information Needs**

**Next Steps**

**Land Cover Definitions for Habitat Maps**

Environmental Pool
Plans..............................................................................................

*Pool 11*..............................................................

Description

Resource Problems and Issues

Resource Opportunities

Proposed Projects

Expected or Desired Results

Maps of Existing Habitat

Maps of Desired Future Conditions

Discussion on priorities (to be added)

Fact sheets describing projects (to be added)

*Pool 12*..............................................................

*Pool
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*Pool 14*...............................................................

*Pool 15*...............................................................

*Pool 16*...............................................................

*Pool 17*...............................................................

*Pool 18*...............................................................

*Pool 19*...............................................................

*Pool 20*...............................................................

*Pool 21*...............................................................

*Pool 22*...............................................................

Environmental Pool Plans

######## Mississippi River, Pools 11- 22

**Introduction**

This document is the result of cooperative efforts among State and
Federal agencies and the public to help develop common habitat goals and
objectives for the Upper Mississippi River. The desired future was
developed on the basis of current knowledge about the Mississippi River
ecosystem, experience with past habitat projects, and observations of
river managers, biologists and members of the public. It is intended to
serve as a communication tool and one of several guides for sequencing
habitat management in the Rock Island District of the Corps of Engineers
for pools 11 through 22 on the Upper Mississippi River (project area).
The desired future habitat described in this document represents what
river managers and the public have identified as the habitat and
features necessary to reverse negative trends in habitat quality and
move toward a more sustainable ecosystem (Figure 1). *Insert Figure 1
from SPD document.*

A variety of funding mechanisms and approaches will be used to complete
proposed habitat projects. The document will be updated as new
information becomes available and technological advances arise. This
system/reach/pool/site-specific approach to identify and coordinate
habitat projects parallels planning effort in the St. Paul and St. Louis
Districts of the Corps of Engineers and will complement the Habitat
Needs Assessment.

> **Project Cooperators**

The Environmental Pool Plans were developed by the Fish and Wildlife
Interagency Committee, a sub-group of the Corps of Engineers-Rock Island
District\'s River Resources Coordinating Team. Agency members of the
Fish and Wildlife Interagency Committee include representatives from the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Rock Island District, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Iowa
Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Department of Conservation and
the Missouri *Department of Conservation,* *National Park
Service-Mississippi River National River and Recreation Area*, and *U.S.
Geological Survey (any others?).*. Public recommendations were obtained
through a series of public meetings held during development of the
Environmental Pool Plans.

**Description of Project Area/River Reach**

The project area is Pools 11 through 22 within the Upper Mississippi
River System from Guttenberg, Iowa to just below lock and dam 22 seven
miles downstream from Hannibal, Missouri. This includes Geomorphic
Reaches \_\_\_\_ as defined by the Cumulative Impacts Analysis for the
navigation studies (Figure 2). *Insert Figure 2, adapted for Geomorphic
reach within Rock Island District.*

Major tributaries entering the project area include, from north to
south, the Turkey, Maquoketa, Wapsipinicon, Rock, Iowa, Skunk, Des
Moines, Fox and Fabius Rivers.

In 1800 the Mississippi River was a mosaic of braided channels, islands
and wetlands (Figure 3). The diverse river landscape was the product of
the accumulation of sediment into a deep and wide Mississippi River
trench which had been earlier scored into bedrock by glaciers and
glacial melt water. By 1850 however, the Mississippi River environment
began to change significantly. *Insert Figure 3 but use Rock Island
District Pool maps.*

The Mississippi became the springboard to the settlement of the upper
Midwest as the river was the natural artery for transportation and
commerce. The resulting impacts to the river environment were immense.
Towns were platted, woodlands cleared, wetlands drained, levees
constructed, and river navigation improvements were completed to improve
river transportation.

Snag removal began in 1830. Soon, wing dams and closing dams were
constructed to concentrate flows and facilitate the maintenance of a
minimum depth channel. In the 1930's, locks and dams were constructed to
create a 9-foot navigation channel through a stairway of water from St.
Louis to St. Paul and including the area of this plan. The area upstream
from each dam, or pool, is named for the dam that created it (Figure 3).
Pool 11 for example, is created by Lock and Dam 11.

Each pool has essentially three sections. *Insert Figure 4, same as SPD
document.* The upper pool, excepting the tailwater area immediately
below the dam, is most similar in appearance to the natural river
(Figure 4) and displays the original mosaic of wooded islands and side
channels, though marsh vegetation is often limited. Upper pool
similarity with the natural river is interrupted where levee and
drainage systems have converted floodplain habitats to other uses. This
situation is more common from lock and dam 16 to 22 where the floodplain
is often wide, even at +dam locations. Dam intercept flow to channels
and wetlands immediately downstream. Water elevation fluctuation is
greatest in this upper pool portion, and is most extreme in the
tailwater area.

The middle pool section is a transition area where changes from the
natural river are more pronounced. Water levels are higher and more
stable. The islands and side channels of the upper pool have given way
to shallow backwater lakes which may support extensive communities of
aquatic vegetation (Figure 5). *Insert Figure 5 from SPD Document.*
Fewer in number, islands remain an important feature. The higher water
profile has increased the saturation of island soils and limited tree
species diversity. Soil wetness favors plant succession to more moisture
tolerant vegetation including perennial grasses. Sediment accumulation
is often accelerated at mid-pool due to factors including tributary
discharge, increasing water surface area, and decreased velocity

The most dramatic habitat change has occurred in the lower pool areas,
just upstream from the dams (Figure 6). *Insert Figure 6 from SPD
document.* Open water predominates. Impoundment depth and stable water
elevations preclude much emergent vegetation. Islands may be infrequent,
and provide little resistance to current or wind driven waves. From a
biological perspective, the lower pool can be a harsh environment.

The above description of pool morphology most accurately describes the
upper pools of the Mississippi River, those within the St. Paul
District, and pools 11 and 13 of this plan.

Pool characters however, change dramatically as the river flows from
Pool 11 through Pool 22 These downstream changes include broader
floodplains with levee and drainage districts, and large tributaries
which compound the volume of flow. In general progression from Pools 11
through 22, river habitat becomes less diverse. The relative
distribution of main channel border habitat increases at the expense of
side channels and backwaters. Emergent marsh vegetation decreases. This
reach includes industrialized urban areas at Dubuque, Clinton/Fulton,
Savanna., Quad Cities, Muscatine, Burlington, Ft. Madison, Keokuk,
Quincy, and Hannibal. Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk, Iowa is distinctly
different from other pools, having been constructed for power
generation, with a high lift and long pool length.

The Pools 11 through 22 reach is a transition zone where the river
environment varies from diverse aquatic landscapes within the natural
floodplain to the greater impacts of a constricted river with increased
flows, higher sediment loads and less ecological diversity. With this
wide range of conditions, no one set of objectives and management tools
can be applicable to each pool. The challenge of natural resource
planning and management will be to design or modify tools applicable to
the varying characters of a changing river ecosystem.

**Resource Issues**

The construction of a power generation dam at Keokuk and the later
(l930's) construction of 11 additional locks and dams for improved
navigation transformed the project reach by raising and stabilizing
water elevations at 12 lock and dam sites (Figure 7). *Insert Figure 7
from SPD document.*. The changes in physical and biological features
following completion of the locks and dams initially benefited several
wildlife and fish species due to the increased acreage of shallow lakes,
ponds and other wetlands. Also, federal purchase of some project lands
preempted private agricultural uses and improved habitat. However, some
migratory fishes and associated mussel species adapted to the
free-flowing river were adversely affected or extirpated when dam
construction interrupted the connectivity of the river system. The
amount of terrestrial floodplain habitat was immediately reduced due to
inundation of thousands of acres of forest, pasture lands and other
habitats

In the decades since locks and dams construction, several of the early
habitat benefits have substantially declined. The initial inundation for
example, backed water over wet meadow communities creating habitats very
attractive to waterfowl. These plant communities however, could not
persist nor regenerate with sustained high water and they eventually
disappeared. A longer term impact was evidenced with the diversity and
abundance of tree species, both of which have declined with continued
soil wetness. Less bathymetric diversity, as the loss of deep water
habitats due to accelerated sediment accumulation, is another example of
long term loss of habitat quality. Changes of these magnitudes have
dramatic results: turbid water replaces vegetation and waterfowl use
ceases, diverse woodlands evolve to a few species or grass, fishing
opportunity is lost.

Restoring lost habitat is difficult when the disrupting influence
remains. Throughout the reach of this plan for example, potential sites
for development or management of wet meadows or diverse woodlands are
rare due to the continued high water profile of the navigation project.
Similarly, the navigation project's restriction of natural river
processes coupled with accelerated sediment accumulation may preclude
significant use of natural river forces to create new deep water
habitats critical to several fish species.

Important natural resource issues and impacts include accelerated
sediment accumulation and sediment budgets, side channel degradation,
backwater maintenance and rehabilitation, floodplain restoration,
vegetation and vegetation management, water level management, impacts of
stable water regimes, stability of waterfowl food resources, fish
passage, mussel viability, watershed issues, and channel maintenance.

These resource issues combine with water quality issues, commercial and
recreational use concerns, and exotic species problems to reduce the
productivity and biological diversity of the Mississippi River. The
interactions influencing the Mississippi River ecosystem are complex and
not fully understood. However, the following concerns are identified as
factors which reduce the river's productivity and diversity, but whose
impacts can be mitigated. .

[Erosion of Islands]{.underline}. Islands are a natural component of the
Mississippi River and a part of the hydrologic 'footprint' of a large
floodplain river that defines side channel and backwater habitat, and
which protect and enhance aquatic vegetation. Islands are critical
habitat for several wildlife species and spawning habitat for river
fish.

Waves, ice and current erode and eliminate islands, removing the shield
to adjacent aquatic areas and other islands (Figure 8). *Insert Figure 8
from SPD document.* Island loss is cumulative and inflates a growing
impact zone where unchecked wind and current strips rooted vegetation
from the bottom and prevents new growth from gaining a roothold. Moving
water also erodes sediment from the river bottom. Suspended in the water
column, sediment blocks light, further stressing aquatic vegetation.
Erosion may also cut through an island, introducing flow into a
previously current-free backwater. Introduction of current may be
desirable, but it could also accelerate sediment accumulation in an
important area, or destroy valuable fish over-wintering habitat.

Although island erosion and island accretion are natural process, rates
of erosion exceeds accretion within pools 11- 22

[Accelerated Sediment Accumulation]{.underline}. Sediment accumulation
is a natural process and the Mississippi River flows on many feet of
sediment. Rates of sediment accumulation however have accelerated due to
dam construction. Increased sediment loads from upland erosion have
exacerbated the problem. The accelerated accretion of fine grained
sediments in backwaters and the lower pool areas has reduced habitat
productivity for many species (Figure 9). *Insert Figure 9 from SPD
document.* Coarser sediments, as sand, moves from the main channel and
may accumulate in side channels in quantities sufficient to reduce
flows, prohibit access, cover mussel beds or fill deepwater habitat for
river fish as walleye and smallmouth bass. Throughout the pool area,
impacts of accelerated sediment accumulation are magnified because
natural river processes are not creating new deep-water habitats.

Accelerated sediment accumulation in backwaters reduces depth and
creates a more uniform, less diverse bottom structure. Deepwater areas,
crucial as wintering habitat for fish as bluegill and largemouth bass
and important to a wide assemblage of fish throughout the year are lost
to sediment, without replacement. Backwater systems choked with
accumulating sediments may become terrestrial habitat.

Accumulating sediment can create valuable habitat and island accretion
at desirable locations is one example. Habitat problems associated with
sediment are associated with accelerated rates of accumulation within a
system which limits natural potential for scouring and formation of new
deep water habitats.

[Reduced Flow/Current Diversity]{.underline}. Inundation of the
floodplain has reduced the diversity of water velocities on the
Mississippi River resulting in increased rates of sediment accumulation,
reduced bathymetric diversity, and loss of aquatic habitats. Loss of
islands and side channel capacities has contributed to "sheet-flow"
patterns with reduced current velocity and diversity. This process,
combined with sediment problems, wind and wave action, stabilized water
levels, and reduced flows through backwaters, has resulted in reduced
quality of aquatic habitat.

[Excessive Current Scour, Wave Action and Re-suspension of
Sediments]{.underline}. Dense stands of aquatic vegetation were common
within many backwater lakes in the early years following locks and dams
construction. Those plant communities have generally declined and open
water areas with low density of aquatic plants are common throughout the
pool 11 -- 22 reach. One cause for this decline is the adverse impact of
unchecked wind and wave action upon growing conditions for plants.
Moving water can uproot vegetation especially the plants are rooted in
fine sediments. With vegetation gone, the energy of moving water has
better access to unprotected soft sediments which may then be lifted
from the bottom and suspended within the water column. The maintenance
of barriers to wind and wave action is a necessity if vegetation is to
remain a habitat component at open water sites.

[Reduced Sandbar and Mud Flat Habitats]{.underline}. Locks and dams
altered sediment accumulation on the Mississippi River. The natural
river redistributed sediments by eroding channels and shorelines at some
locations and depositing sediments at other sites. This process, coupled
with seasonal water level fluctuations resulted in a distribution of
emergent sandbar and mud-flat habitats, especially on the borders of the
larger channels (Figure 10). *Insert Figure 10 from SPD document.*
Operation of the dams reduced the number of mud flats and sandbars. The
zone of mud-flat formation in the lower pool area was permanently
submerged and maintenance of normal pool elevations reduced the
potential for mud-flat and sandbar formation at other locations.

[Stabilized Long-Term Water Levels]{.underline} (Figure 11). *Insert
applicable hydrograph.* Although the increased water elevations from dam
operation initially benefited several fish and wildlife species,
long-term declines in wetland productivity are noted. Stable water
elevations have preempted natural processes as periodic low water, which
rejuvenated wetland habitats. Much wetland and aquatic vegetation is
best adapted to a changing water level regime and is often dependent on
periodic low water for regeneration. Emergent communities are often more
robust and diverse with periodic episodes of low water. Drying of
wetland soils consolidates sediments reducing the potential for
re-suspension into the water column. Periodic exposure of wetland soils
is critical for moist-soil plants Even partial draw-down of previously
stable water elevations can have beneficial impacts. Exposure of shallow
shoreline areas will result in pioneering vegetation, and in deeper
water, aquatic vegetation will respond positively to reduced depth and
more light.

[Degraded Natural Function of Tributary Streams and Deltas]{.underline}.
Many streams tributary to pools 11 -- 22 are channeled or farmed to the
bank as they approach the Mississippi, and levees often separate the
shared floodplain from both rivers. This management isolates the
Mississippi from important floodplain areas, preempts floodplain
habitat, accelerates tributary bank erosion and transport of coarse
sediments, and contributes to downstream flood peaks The immediate
tributary area is a functional part of the river proper and it should be
incorporated into environmental plans.

[Changes in Connectivity of Aquatic Habitats]{.underline}. Prior to
operation of the dams, water and sediment flow was concentrated in
primary channels throughout much of the year. Many wetlands were exposed
to sediment only during seasonal or more infrequent flood events. The
flow relationship between backwater wetlands and primary channels has
been greatly modified by dam construction, dredged material placement,
sediment accumulation, and side channel blockages. Most aquatic habitats
in Pools 11 through 22 now experience flow and sediment transport
year-round. This situation has altered erosion patterns, contributed to
island dissection, and produced both accelerated sediment accumulation
and sediment re-suspension.

Locks and dams, side channel closures, wing dams and other structures
have altered the natural distribution of flow. Thoughtful structure
modification or new construction, including islands, can change flow
distribution to improve habitat diversity, help protect areas prone to
sedimentation, and return the river to a more natural pattern of
sediment movement and accumulation.

[Loss of Isolated Wetlands]{.underline}. Prior to operation of the dams,
many floodplain lakes and ponds were isolated from existing channels
during periods of low river flow. These seasonal wetlands were important
for a variety of fish and wildlife species and they were a significant
habitat component. The few remaining isolated wetlands are becoming less
productive due to frequent or continual exposure to sediment loads and
succession to other habitat types.

[Reduced Diversity of Terrestrial Plant Communities.]{.underline} Much
of the existing forest within the Mississippi River floodplain exists in
even aged stands and is composed of relatively few species. Stands are
most often remnants of the pre dam community or originate from old
fields sites abandoned at the time of Federal purchase and dam
construction. Significant portions of the historic forest was
commercially logged, cleared for agricultural purposes or pastured prior
to construction of the locks and dams. In anticipation of inundation and
lost of the forest resource with dam operations, large areas of forest
were completely removed on those which would be permanently flooded.

Much of the current forest is not regenerating (Figure 12). *Insert
Figure 12 from SPD document.* Flat topography, higher groundwater levels
caused by impoundment, increased frequency and duration of inundation,
reduced creation of new islands and shoreline and subsequent plant
succession, and increased competition from reed canary grass and other
herbaceous vegetation all affect regeneration. Dutch elm disease has
also eliminated most American elm, an old growth component of the Upper
Mississippi River corridor. Thus, much of the current floodplain forest
is composed of a few highly water tolerant species, such as silver
maple. They are now approaching the end of their life span, and a
significant younger age class replacement component is missing.

More diverse forest stands are typical of areas which have been
partially buffered from the long-term impacts of the navigation project.
The water regime of Lake Odessa (lock and dam 17) for example, is
considerably lower than the adjacent pool 17 and woodland diversity
exceeds what is found on the river proper.

Historic channel maintenance practices resulted in the elevation of some
areas adjacent to the main channel through dredged material placement.
Although many of these areas are no longer used for placement purposes,
they have been slow to re-vegetate naturally. The increased elevation of
these sites, along with the addition of fine material for topsoil,
provides an opportunity to restore mast-producing species of bottomland
hardwood trees, such as oaks and hickories. (Figure 13). *Insert Figure
13 from SPD document.* Channel maintenance material may be useful in
elevating potential reforestation sites at select locations.

[Social Issues]{.underline}. The Mississippi River is a diverse
ecosystem with great public value. (Figure 14). *Insert Figure 14 from
SPD document.* The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish
Refuge (including pools 11 -14), managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, has 3.5 million visitors per year. The Mark Twain National
Wildlife Area including portion of pools \_\_\_\_\_\_ estimates an
additional \_\_\_\_ annual visitors. The various social demands placed
on the ecosystem require that management of the Mississippi River\'s
natural resources include public awareness and input. All significant
program changes or new planning efforts are presented to the public at
local forums. A current example of public participation in the
management of river's environmental resources is the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service's Comprehensive Conservation Plan which begins in 2002.

Agencies charged with the stewardship of natural resources on the
Mississippi have the responsibility to monitor environmental characters,
report significant problems, coordinate with other river interests, plan
appropriate natural resource management and rehabilitation, and
implement needed programs and projects. Pools 11 through 22 are subject
to a variety of human expectations from navigation to recreation, water
supply to effluent discharge, aesthetics to urbanization, and more. All
human expectations place demands on the river resource and all influence
and change the river environment. An important function of natural
resource stewardship is to provide information so that a knowledgeable
public can best determine their own values and attitudes concerning the
river. Slow erosion of the public's perception of what the river is,
will result in a depleted resource.

**Desired Future Goals and Objectives**

Implementation of the Environmental Pool Plans will result in bringing
the Mississippi River\'s ecosystem closer to a sustainable state by
reestablishing desired habitat structure and function through a series
of actions. The following goals and objectives will be met using a
variety of \"tools\" implemented in combinations appropriate for
site-specific physical, chemical and biological conditions. The desire
is to reach these goals and objectives through the use of project
features that are ecologically self-sustaining, complementary, low
maintenance, aesthetic and work with the river\'s natural function
whenever possible.

***Frame this as in SPD document**!* A **site** can be at a variety of
scales: a 2-acre wetland, a backwater complex, a pool, a reach (multiple
pools) or systemic (the entire Upper Mississippi River). For example,
some animals may meet all of their needs in a small geographic area
(i.e., freshwater mussels) or they may require many distinct patches of
habitat spread along the length of the Mississippi River (i.e.,
waterfowl).

Planning guidelines considered during the identification of measures to
achieve the goals and objectives included the following:

-   **The locks and dams will exist for the life of this plan.**

-   **Public involvement and awareness are critical components for
    implementation of the plan.**

-   **Implementation is dependent on adequate funding and personnel.**

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-   **The reach and pool plans will continue to be revised and
    updated.**

-   **Social values and issues will affect habitat management
    decisions.**

Each goal and objective will be implemented to address different
physical, chemical and biological criteria that define habitat
characteristics needed for a species' survival. These habitat criteria
will be described in detail during the site-specific project planning
phase based on unique opportunities and constraints encountered in the
project area.

***Frame this as in SPD document, with photo.*** A unique constraint
that may be considered during project planning is the potential to
decrease the habitat value of a site due to potential increases in
animal disturbance by humans.

The following goals and objectives identify specific measures that can
be implemented in the Rock Island District\'s jurisdiction of the
Mississippi River\'s floodplain to address systemic goals and objectives
presented in the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee\'s
report entitled \"A River that Works and a Working River\" (to view the
report, visit the following link:
http://mississippi-river.com/umrcc/pdf/1.pdf).

**1. Improve Water Quality**

Water quality will be improved through:

-   Reducing wave resuspension of bottom sediments.

-   Avoiding and minimizing the disturbance of contaminated sediments.

-   Increasing the diversity and abundance of floodplain terrestrial
    vegetation.

-   Promoting change in land use of tributary deltas.

-   Coordinating with watershed initiatives to reduce sediment and
    nutrient inputs to the Mississippi River.

**2. Reduce Erosion, Sediment and Nutrient Impacts**

Erosion, sediment and nutrient impacts will be reduced through:

-   Avoiding and minimizing the disturbance of contaminated sediments.

-   Reducing wave resuspension of bottom sediments.

-   Providing shoreline protection to eroding sites.

-   Increasing the diversity and abundance of floodplain terrestrial
    vegetation.

-   Making land use changes in tributary deltas.

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-   Coordinating with watershed initiatives to reduce sediment and
    nutrient inputs to the Mississippi River

**3. Return of Natural Floodplain to Enable More Habitat Diversity**

A return of the natural floodplain to enable more habitat diversity will
be accomplished through:

-   Improving natural flow distribution by restoring floodplain
    function, to lands now separated from the river by levees, via
    acquisition or easement from willing sellers.

-   Protecting, managing and developing prairie and wet meadow
    communities.

-   Increasing species and age diversity of floodplain forests.

-   Raising the elevation of some islands and lands within the
    floodplain to promote a diversity of terrestrial communities.

**4. Seasonal Flood Pulse and Periodic Low Flow Conditions**

Emulation of the seasonal flood pulse and periodic low flow conditions
will be accomplished by:

-   Evaluating the potential benefits of revised water level management
    for each pool.

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-   Implementing revised water level management regimes to provide
    greater flexibility and range of water levels particularly lower
    water levels or scheduled draw-downs.

**5. Restore Backwater/Main Channel Connectivity**

Management of the connectivity of backwater areas and the main channel
to optimize spatial and temporal availability of habitats for floodplain
species will be accomplished through:

-   Constructing or modifying side channel closing structures, wing
    dams, and lock and dam dikes to modify flows as appropriate.

-   Constructing islands to increase the diversity of velocities within
    the floodplain and reestablishing backwaters in the lower sections
    of the pools.

**6. Manage Sediment Transport, Deposition and Side Channels**

Management of sediment transport, deposition and side channels will
focus on measures designed to increase the diversity and abundance of
aquatic and terrestrial vegetation and increase the diversity of depth,
velocity and substrate types in aquatic communities. This will be
accomplished through:

-   Stabilizing existing islands and constructing islands at selected
    locations.

-   Increasing depth through dredging or directing flow in selected
    areas to promote scouring of sediment.

**7. Manage Dredging and Channel Maintenance**

Management of dredging and channel maintenance activities will be
accomplished through coordinated planning and implementation of
recommendations contained in the Rock Island District\'s Channel
Maintenance Management Plan.

**8. Sever Pathways for Exotic Species**

The spread of exotic species will be addressed through:

-   Managing floodplain plant communities to eradicate or best control
    exotic species..

-   Implementing management recommendations to slow or stop the spread
    of aquatic exotics.

**9. Provide Opportunities for Native Fish Passage at the Dams**

Opportunities for native fish passage at the dams will be accomplished
through:

-   Identifying lock and dam operation or construction alternatives that
    will enhance inter-pool movement of fish and other aquatic species.

-   Modifying lock and dam operation or complete projects to provide
    opportunities for native fish passage.

**Information Needs**

Several information needs were identified during development of the Rock
Island District reach plan. This information is required to improve
understanding of habitat needs for the Mississippi River species and is
necessary for implementation of the reach and pool plans.

-   Complete fine-scale topographic surveys.

-   Complete bathymetric (depth) surveys.

-   Complete forest inventory of the floodplain.

-   Complete two-dimensional hydraulic models for each pool.

-   Characterize substrate for each pool.

-   Acquire information on the habitat needs and life history
    requirements as they pertain to the Mississippi River for many
    species.

**Next Steps**

As referenced in the Desired Future Goals and Objectives section, the
Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee\'s report entitled \"A
River that Works and a Working River\" identified components of a
strategy for operation and maintenance of the Upper Mississippi River
ecosystem. The report concluded with a call for leadership and the
identification of increasingly more detailed action steps to implement
the strategy. These Environmental Pool Plans represent the Fish and
Wildlife Interagency Committee's response to that call. We believe these
plans provide a common vision for the Upper Mississippi River ecosystem
with sufficient detail to allow river managing partners to move forward
with implementation. The next steps are for each of the project
cooperators and partners to contribute to these actions using their
respective management authorities, responsibilities and resources to
help make this desired future a reality.

The Fish and Wildlife Interagency Committee will review these plans
periodically to keep them updated with current knowledge on resource
issues, information needs, new management opportunities and authorities.
All interested parties are encouraged to continue their contribution to
this planning and management effort by providing additional comments as
they become available. Contact information for the Fish and Wildlife
Interagency Committee is available at \_\_\_\_\_\_ (*add email address,
Bob's?)*

**Land Cover Definitions for Desired Future Habitat Maps**

The Desired Future Habitat Conditions maps depict one example of
possible future habitat conditions for each of the pools. The maps were
developed by river managers familiar with these sections of the
Mississippi River.

Historic photographs were used as a reference to determine the
approximate locations of pre- and post- impoundment floodplain features
for prediction of habitat response (i.e., vegetation establishment
potential), improvement in the aesthetic properties of proposed habitat
modifications, and identification of potential locations for habitat
where it occurred historically. Use of the historic data must include
consideration for changes that have occurred within the floodplain
(bathymetry, velocities, wave fetch, etc.), which may make some areas
more suited for a certain community today than in 1939 or 1975. However,
these historic images are useful as an aid for visualization of the
mosaic of aquatic communities for the desired future.

For the purpose of the plans, the following habitat/land use types have
been identified, and a description is provided for each. These habitat
types match the legends for each pool\'s Desired Future Habitat
Conditions map.

**Open Water**. Open water, shown in dark blue, includes all areas
permanently flooded that are deeper than 3 feet. There may be scattered
areas of submergent aquatic vegetation in some areas up to 6 feet deep.
Open water is found in contiguous and isolated backwaters, secondary and
tertiary channels, the main channel, and impounded areas above the locks
and dams. These areas are especially important for fish (especially
sturgeon, paddlefish, blue sucker and other species that prefer current
and deepwater habitats), mussels (fingernail clams, native mussels), and
waterfowl (especially diving ducks).

**Submergents**. Submergents, shown in light green, are found primarily
in permanently flooded areas from 1 to 3 feet deep. They are dominated
by a diversity of submergent aquatic vegetation with some emergent
vegetation in the shallower areas. They are found primarily in
contiguous and isolated backwater areas, somewhat in secondary and
tertiary channels, and in open water areas above the locks and dams.
This habitat type supports a diverse aquatic plant community and is
important habitat for waterfowl (especially puddle ducks, geese and
swans), fish, furbearers (muskrat), and amphibians (frogs, snakes).

**Emergents**. Emergents, shown in medium light green, include more
permanently wet areas from 1 to 3 feet deep that are dominated by
emergent aquatic vegetation. This habitat type is found primarily in
contiguous and isolated backwater areas and alongside channel borders.
It is especially important for migratory waterbirds (rails, bitterns,
terns, ducks and geese, swans, etc.), furbearers (mink, muskrat, beaver,
otter, etc.), amphibians (frogs), and reptiles (turtles, snakes) and as
spawning and nursery areas for fish. Floating leaf plants such as water
lily and lotus are included in this habitat type.

**Sand/Mud**. Sand/mud areas are shown as a mottled brown. The areas
delineated on the maps most often are associated with sand deposited by
dredging for maintenance of a 9-foot channel depth for navigation.
Revegetation of disposal sites is limited without active management
requiring the placement of topsoil and planting the site to grass or
trees. Sand and mud flats that are within 1 foot above the water surface
are valuable habitat for turtles, loafing waterfowl, and migrating and
resident shorebirds. Sandbar areas greater than 1 foot above the water
level are important for nesting turtles. These habitats also provide
important substrate for pioneering floodplain forest species such as
cottonwoods and willow.

**Urban**. Urban areas, identified in gray, include cities and other
urban communities, rural farms and dwellings, and other developments
such as sewage treatment facilities, power plants, airports, etc.

**Agriculture**. Agricultural areas, shown in yellow, include row
cropping and grazed pasture. Some of the maps include yellow circles
that represent general agricultural areas, but the exact locations are
unknown.

**Grasslands**. Grassland areas, shown in medium dark green, include
prairies, and wet meadows. Prairies are important nesting and feeding
areas for many migrant and resident birds, mammals , and reptiles. Wet
meadows flood frequently and are wet most of the year, providing a
diversity of plant types and excellent habitat for waterfowl,
amphibians, reptiles, furbearers, and fish (spawning and nursery areas
for many species).

**Forest**. Forested areas are shown in dark green. Forests include
upland and bottomland hardwoods and are especially important habitat for
a variety of birds including waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, and wading
birds, and mammals as deer, squirrels, and raccoons.

**Terrestrial (forest or prairie)** (Desired future maps only). The
terrestrial designation represents sites where forest or prairie may be
established. In existing agricultural areas, improvements to terrestrial
habitat may be represented by green circles. . Specific plans for
plantings will be determined during development of each project.