USACE builds island to reduce wave fetch

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is constructing an island upstream from the embankment at Lock and Dam 2 on the Mississippi River to safeguard the existing embankment from wind and wave erosion.

The 3,250-foot-long earthen embankment was constructed in 1930 and has since suffered degradation due to weather conditions, lack of vegetation and the erosive effects of high-water events.

The island will provide habitat benefits including tall grasses, tree plantings, a wetland, rock features and an overwintering fish habitat.

According to USACE, this work is anticipated to be done this fall.