Luhr Bros. Awarded Habitat Project In Upper Mississippi River Pool 26
The St. Louis Engineer District recently awarded a $7.2 million contract to Luhr Brothers Inc. of Columbia, Ill., to construct a Mississippi River habitat restoration project in Pool 26, between Miles 207.5 and 211.5 near Grafton, Ill.The contract includes a notched, river training structure between Piasa and Eagle’s Nest Islands and four island rock rings. Construction began on December 1, and the first part of construction was scheduled to last up to eight weeks, weather permitting.
The project area is located within the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Mississippi River State Fish and Wildlife Area, specifically the Piasa Island Wildlife Management Area. The Mississippi River Area’s main emphasis is wetland management, with waterfowl as the primary species of concern. Piasa and Eagle’s Nest islands are locally recognized as public use areas for hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife viewing. Several organizations, including Migratory Waterfowl Hunters Inc., Alton Motorboat Club, Alton Water Ski Club and Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources, are active within the project area.
In partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Corps, the project is funded under the authority of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program and is intended to ensure the coordinated development and enhancement of the Upper Mississippi River system with primary emphasis on habitat restoration projects and resource monitoring.
Human activity over the past two centuries has reduced the diversity and quality of aquatic (side channel and backwater) habitat and reduced the acreage of island habitat, the Corps said. This project provides an opportunity to improve the quality and diversity of important aquatic habitats.
In the 35-plus-year history of the program, more than 55 habitat projects benefiting approximately 100,000 acres on the Upper Mississippi River, from the Twin Cities to St. Louis, have been completed. These projects provide critical habitat for riverine species, supporting the ecosystem’s overall health and resilience.
