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UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE and FISH REFUGE Mcgregor District Mcgregor, Iowa

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UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE and FISH REFUGE Mcgregor District Mcgregor, Iowa UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE AND FISH REFUGE McGregor District McGregor, Iowa ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT FY2001 Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, McGregor District McGregor, Iowa Fiscal· Year 2001 Refuge Supervisor Date INTRODUCTION 1. Location The McGregor District is one of four districts comprising the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The District Office is located at McGregor, Iowa with Refuge Headquarters at Winona, Minnesota. This District contains parts of Houston County, Minnesota (8,651 acres); Grant, Crawford, and Vernon Counties, Wisconsin (37,495 acres); Dubuque, Clayton, and Allamakee Counties, Iowa (32,038 acres) for a total of 78,184 acres. The District covers navigation Pools 9, 10 and 11 and is 97 river miles long, extending from Dubuque, Iowa to Genoa, Wisconsin. Adjoining or nearby public land areas are: 1) Grant River Public Use Area, Potosi, Wisconsin; 2) Nelson Dewey State Park, Cassville, Wisconsin; 3) Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor, Iowa; 4) Wyalusing State Park, Wyalusing, Wisconsin; 5) Effigy Mounds National Monument, McGregor, Iowa; 6) Yellow River State Forest, Harpers Ferry, Iowa; 7) Blackhawk Park, Victory, Wisconsin; 8) Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, Wisconsin; 9) Fish Farm Mounds State Preserve, New Albin, Iowa, and several smaller access areas. 2. Topography The Refuge lies within the Mississippi River Valley which is two to five miles wide and cradled between forested bluffs, rising up to 500 feet above the River. The elevation of the valley is approximately 600 feet mean sea level. 3. Points of Interest The McGregor District contains no large cities, but small river towns flank the river. Commercial fishing, clamming, and furbearer trapping provide income for some residents along the Refuge. Sport fishing is the most popular recreational activity, occurring every day of the year. Waterfowl hunters may travel over 200 miles to participate in opening day hunts on the Refuge. As a migration corridor, the Mississippi River valley may be unsurpassed in significance. 4. Physical Facilities The McGregor District Office/Visitor Contact Station (DO/VCS) completed in July, 1986 is located in McGregor, Iowa. Satellite stations are located at Cassville, Wisconsin, and Lansing, Iowa. Warehouse/storage areas are located at Cassville and Genoa, Wisconsin, and McGregor and Lansing, Iowa. INTRODUCTION Table of Contents Highlights Page 1. Monitoring and Studies a. Surveys and Censuses. 1 b. Studies and Investigation ................................. 1 2. Habitat Restoration a. Wetland Restoration ...................................... NTR b. Upland Restoration ....................................... NTR c. Deep Water/Riverine Restoration .......................... NTR d. Other Habitat Management ................................. 2 e. Environmental Management Program ......................... 2 3. Habitat Management a. Water Level Management ................................... 5 b. Moist Soil Management .................................... 5 c. Graze/Mow/Hay ............................................ NTR d. Farming .................................................. NTR e. Forest Management ........................................ 6 f. Fire Management. 6 g. Pest Plant Control ....................................... 6 h. Other Habitat Management ................................. 6 4. Fish and Wildlife Management a. Bird Banding ............................................. NTR b. Disease Monitoring and Treatment ......................... NTR c. Reintroductions .......................................... NTR d. Nest Structures .......................................... NTR e. Pest, Predator and Exotic Animal Control ................. NTR 5. Coordination Activities a. Interagency Coordination ................................. 7 b. Private Lands Activities ................................. 7 6. Resource Protection a. Law Enforcement. 8 b. Permits and Economic Use Management ...................... 10 c. Contaminant Investigation ................................ NTR d. Contaminant Cleanup ...................................... NTR e. Water Rights Management .................................. NTR f. Cultural Resource Management ............................. NTR g. Land Acquisition Support ................................. 11 h. Wilderness or Special Areas .............................. NTR 7. Public Education and Recreation a. Provide Visitor Services ................................. 12 b. Outreach ................................................. 17 c. Hunting .................................................. NTR d. Trapping ................................................. 20 e. Fishing .................................................. NTR f. Other Public Use ......................................... NTR 8. Planning and Administration a. Comprehensive Conservation Planning ...................... NTR b. General Administration ................................... 21 c. Safety ................................................... 21 d. Maintenance .............................................. 21 e. Volunteers ............................................... 22 f. Personnel ................................................ 23 9. Wildlife a. Endangered/Threatened Species ............................ 23 b. Waterfowl ........................................... , .... 23 c. Marsh and Water birds .................................... 24 d. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, & Allies ....................... NTR e. Raptors .................................................. 24 f. Other Migratory Birds .................................... NTR g. Game Mammals ............................................. NTR h. Other Resident Wildlife .................................. 24 i. Fisheries Resources ...................................... NTR j. Wildlife Diversity ....................................... NTR 10. Items of Interest ............................................. 25 11. Climatic Conditions ........................................... 25 Highlights The Mississippi River experienced the second highest flood on record in 2001 causing damage to Refuge boat landings and closing navigation for several weeks. The First Annual Upper Mississippi River Festival was held May 17-19. The Festival was a cooperative effort involving nearly 50 organizations. Refuge and District Staff played key roles in creating and establishing the event. First trumpeter swan nest attempt occurred on the Refuge since 1883. Various Environmental Management Program projects in planning. New conservation easement acquired in Wisconsin. 27 NOV's issued. Bertom Lake boat landing renovations completed. New kiosks and observation decks completed at Sturgeon Slough, Pool 10 and New Albin Pool Slough, Pool 9. 1 . MONITORING AND STUDIES l.a. Surveys and Censuses An informal eagle survey was conducted on December 1 from Cassville, Wisconsin north to Lock and Dam 10 in Guttenberg, Iowa (approximately nine miles). A total of 272 bald eagles were observed. Of particular interest was the concentration of 186 bald eagles within a one mile stretch of Cassville Slough north of Ackerman's Cut in Pool 11. During the Mid Winter Waterfowl Survey a total of 104 eagles were observed on Pool 11, in addition to various waterfowl. The only unusual observation was the appearance of six trumpeter swans near Cassville, WI. Four of the birds wore green neck collars (7FO, 9F8, 9F9, OFO). All of the marked birds are reintroduced birds from the same nest hatched in 1998 in Clinton, IA. Fifteen new bald eagle nests were discovered this year. High waters allowed viewing of areas not normally accessible by boat. Pool 9 had 25 active nests, Pool 10 had 9 active nests and Pool 11 had 14 active nests. Overall, 48 active nests were detected on the District in 2001, up two nests from the 46 active nests counted in 2000. Twenty four nests were randomly sampled to provide an estimate for this year's productivity. A total of 30 eaglets were found in the 24 nests checked for production giving us an estimated annual production of 60 eaglets for the District. Colonial nesting bird surveys proved to be difficult because of flood waters and heavy rains. Butler Lake rookery was the only one surveyed in 2001. 341 nests were recorded compared to 833 in 2000. The production count proved to be difficult as well, due to high water and leaf out. Several nests appeared to be abandoned. Forty-four heron nests with 35 young were observed for an average of 0.795 young/nest. Four great egret nests with four young were also observed. DM Lindell participated in the Prairie du Chien, WI area Christmas Bird Count December 18, 2000. This CBC is organized by the Madison, WI Audubon Society Chapter. The District attempted to monitor all sites for the 2001 Frog and Toad survey, but due to high flood waters, several sites were not accessible the first and second run of the survey. Six anuran species were encountered during these surveys. One of the species was an uncommon Cricket Frog. One Cricket Frog was recorded at the Potosi Point, Wisconsin site in Pool 11, on April, 30. Three Cricket Frogs were also recorded at the McCarthy site, Wisconsin on July 15, 2001. l.b. Studies and Investigations Flex funds were received for a red-shouldered hawk study by Jon Stravers. A reply was sent to Refuge Biologist Nelson regarding a questionnaire on duck nest predation being conducted by Utah State. I 2 . HABITAT RESTORATION 2.d. Other Habitat Management On December 11th,
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