Middle Mississippi River
Phone: 618-997-3344
The Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge was established on May 31, 2000 and is part of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The complex was established in 1958 for the protection of migratory birds and spans 350 miles along the Mississippi River in the states of Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. The Middle Mississippi River Refuge has three divisions - Meissner Island, near Valmeyer, Illinois; Harlow Island, near Festus, Missouri; and Wilkinson Island, near Gorham, Illinois.
Refuge lands were purchased in response to the great flood of 1993 and are unique in the refuge complex. The refuge tracts lie within the uncontrolled portion of the Middle Mississippi River, below the confluence with the Missouri, where river levels are not regulated by the lock and dam system. Water levels may fluctuate greatly in this "open river" section of the Mississippi, and frequent flooding occurs on these lands. Many of these areas had previously been cut off from the floodplain by private levees that protected acgricultural lands. Most of the levees were breached by the 1993 flood and will not be repaired. These lands will provide access to the floodplain for native fish during high water stages and create a corridor of floodplain forest habitat for migratory birds and resident wildlife.
The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex includes Port Louisa, Two Rivers, Great River, Clarence Cannon, and Middle Mississippi River refuges. The refuge headquarters for Middle Mississippi Refuge is co-located with Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.
Directions
Contact refuge manager at 618/997 3344, x342, for driving directions to each division.
More info at http://midwest.fws.gov/middlemiss
National River
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This guide book is an intro to the best of this lesser-known recreational gem. Most of the book consists of hiking trails, many of which also are open to mountain bikers and equestrians. A small portion of the book tells of some river trips. 340 pages.
Merchant: Online Sports
Hiking the Big South Fork
Sale Price: $10.65*
Retail: $14.95 (29% off!)
(Overstock Books)
Now in its third edition, Hiking the Big South Fork is packed with up-to-date information on the trails of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Tennessee and Kentucky. The book combines numerous details about the natural histor...
Merchant: Overstock Books
Falcon Exploring Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Sale Price: $15.26*
Retail: $16.95 (10% off!)
(Overstock Books)
Description not available. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.
Merchant: Overstock Books
National Emblems Pittsburgh Pirates Logo Patch - Pittsburgh Pirates Three River Stadium
Patch up your shirt, jacket, or bag with this embroidered Pittsburgh Pirates emblem commemorating Three Rivers Stadium. Now you can support your team anywhere at any time and always look great doing it!
Merchant: CBS Sports Store