Rock Island District To Hold Open House To Discuss Steamboat Island Rehab Project

The Rock Island Engineer District, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, will host a public open house today (March 26) to discuss plans for ecosystem restoration in Mississippi River Pool 14 near Steamboat Island. The public open house is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. at the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center in Rock Creek Park at 3942 291st St. Camanche, Iowa.

The Steamboat Island Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project is a 2,630-acre island and backwater complex located in the middle section of Pool 14 of the Upper Mississippi River, between the town of Princeton, Iowa, and the mouth of the Wapsipinicon River, in Scott County, Iowa. The project lands are federally owned and are part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.

Human activity over the past two centuries in the Upper Mississippi River basin has altered the hydrology, topography and biotic communities present in the Steamboat Island area. During the open house, a presentation will cover potential features being recommended for restoration and enhancement of the area. The public is invited to provide feedback and engage in discussion about the plan. After the presentation, representatives from all three partnering agencies will be on hand to answer questions gather input from the community.

For those unable to attend the event in person, the event will be broadcast via Facebook live at https://www.facebook.com/RockIslandDistrictUSACE on March 26 starting at 4 p.m.

For more information about the Steamboat Island Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project, visit https://go.usa.gov/xnukM. For more information about the public meeting, contact the Rock Island District at 309-794-5729 or email cemvr-cc@usace.army.mil.