The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, awarded a $324,000 contract, November 29, to Togiak Management Services of Anchorage, Alaska, to complete a wing dam modification project in Pool 2 of the Mississippi River downstream of St. Paul, Minnesota.
This contract marks the first ecosystem restoration contract awarded under the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program, or NESP, in the nation. The intent of the project is to improve fish habitat in the river.
NESP is a long-term program of navigation improvements and ecosystem restoration for the Upper Mississippi River System.
The Pool 2 Wing Dam Modification project area is in the middle and lower half of Pool 2 of the Upper Mississippi River south of St. Paul and spans Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties in Minnesota.
It includes notching 17 wing dams to improve habitat for fish outside of the main channel.
A wing dam is a rock structure that diverts the water to the center of the river channel. Portions of the wing dam will be taken out of the rock structure encourage depth and flow diversity for river habitat for fish.
Construction is estimated to be completed in September 2023.