Rivers Project Home, St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

A short drive from the city, just 40 minutes from downtown St. Louis , open space, fresh air, and spectacular views of nature's glory are within your reach. The Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a place where families, school classes, and groups can visit to learn about the importance of habitat protection and restoration while balancing mans' disturbances with protected refuges.

Public facilities and trails throughout the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary have been built by Eagle Scouts from the St. Louis Council, Boy Scouts of America. More projects which will help the public get a better view of wildlife and plant life within the RMBS continue.

Ellis Bay , the old Alton Slough area, was the effect of impounding of the two miles of navigation channel between the old Locks and Dam 26 and Melvin Price Locks and Dam. The impoundment of the new pool occurred in February 1990. This 800 acre backwater area provides excellent habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and fish. There are many submerged islands in this bay, however, some of the backwater habitat is being lost due to siltation. The greatest factor leading to the continued existence of this quality backwater is its position relative to the major river channel, providing protection during periods of high flow and silk-laden waters. Ellis Island provides nature trails, blinds and fishing banks. From October 1 to April 30, Ellis Bay is limited to bank fishing only. Boats are restricted form this area to allow for a waterfowl refuge during migrations.

Teal Pond

Teal Pond is a 67 acre lake that was created by more than 8 feet of seepage ground water from the Melvin Price Pool. The process of seepage lasted approximately 10 months beginning with the impoundment of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in February 1990 with an average head of 4 feet. The pond was initially stocked with 30,000 Bluegill; 12,000 Red-ear sunfish; and 6,000 channel catfish in October 1990, and 6,000 largemouth bass in the spring of 1991. Electroshock and creel surveys have recently been conducted to determine if Teal Pond warrants re-stocking of fish populations. This resource is managed for recreational fisheries in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Enforcement of fishing seasons, creel limits, and other regulations will fall under the Missouri Wildlife Code, Special Management Areas.

Heron Pond

Heron Pond is created through the changes in water control structures. This pond serves as a common rest area for many waterfowl during migration times and throughout the winter, as long as it isn’t frozen. Trails lead one around the pond, allowing for a closer view of the wetland wildlife and vegetation, as well as the prairie. Beavers frequent the outlets of the pond and some times cause inconveniences for Rangers trying to drawdown the water for vegetation management. However, no action has been taken to remove the species from the sanctuary.

No fishing is allowed in Heron Pond at any time of year. This is mainly due to the fact that it has never been stocked and/or maintained as a recreational fishery.

A new gravity drain has been placed under Riverlands Way. This gated drain will allow water from the river to flow in/out of Heron Pond. This will improve management of the lower marsh areas in the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary to accommodate more wildlife and aquatic organisms.

Native Prairie Restoration
Located along the Mississippi River in Missouri, just south of RT 67, is a native prairie Restoration Project. The project initially provided a cost-effective, biological method of controlling weeds which are not native to this area and through long-term management plans will provide nesting and habitat protection for wildlife and plant life. The prairie marsh complex has been set aside as a refuge in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Access is limited to selected trails systems and disturbance will be controlled during waterfowl migrations.

The prairie is maintained by prescribed burning. As part of the 1,200-acre prairie marsh wetland complex, approximately 100 acres are used for fire beaks - cleared rows of brush. Cool season grass firebreaks (100 acres) were planted in Timothy and Redtop. Using 7,000 pounds of native grass seed and with the consultation of the Missouri Department of Conservation, these wetlands were planted in wet and wet-mesic regimes. The wet-mesic or semi-wet regimes (350 acres) are planted with identical grasses in different ratios complemented with Indian grass.

Least Tern Floating Habitat Project

By setting up two pontoon dredge barges we were able to provide managed artificial sandbar habitat for the Interior Least Tern on this stretch of the Mississippi River. It was expected that this habitat would provide ideal nesting and breeding conditions for the birds. The project was monitored five days a week by a National Great Rivers Research and Education Center Intern. Monitoring of the nesting site observed mating rituals, decoy interaction, feeding of the young, and colony defenses against avian predators. Banding was conducted by Illinois Department of Natural Resources and The Illinois Natural History Survey.

Freshwater Marshes

As part of the 1,200-acre prairie-marsh complex, 300 acres of freshwater marshes are dispersed throughout the prairie. These marshes range from 50 acres to water-filled ditches, all the way down to small potholes. Average depth of the marshes is approximately 18 inches. The marshes provide excellent food sources and nesting habitat for migrating birds.

Marshes are created during the winter months, by siphoning water from the river across a levee and into the Melvin Price Locks & Dam spillway. This makes us of no pumps therefore relying on no external energy sources. The siphon allows for temporary additional wetland habitat area of about 16 acres, which is enjoyed by many waterfowl species during migration.

Trails throughout the Sanctuary

This trail was constructed solely by Boy Scouts from the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. The construction of the trail began in 1992 and was destroyed by the 1993 flood. In 1996, the project was again started by a Boy Scout from troop #271. The project was undertaken by Adam Neidringhaus so that he could obtain Eagle Scout status. Adam laid out the trail and did all the initial work. We thank Adam for his work on the trail, which still remains today.

Trails are closed from October 15^th through April 15^th. During this time the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary is closed to foot traffic due to the migration of various waterfowl and shorebirds.

October 2010, American Misouri, with oversight from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed 1,000 "swan diverters" on several miles of high-voltage "transmission" power lines that cross the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary on the Mississippi River, near West Alton, Mo. in an effort to protect the Trumpeter Swans.

The devices - each about 12 inches long and resembling a giant yellow

corkscrew- were installed by workers from helicopters hovering above the USACE sanctuary. They were placed on the highest static wires of non-electic transmission towers - towers that are designed to absorb lightning strikes - as means of alerting swans.

Each winter, about 500 swans from Upper Midwest breeding grounds winter at the sanctuary. Agents from the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement, USACE and officials from Ameren Missouri became concerned about evidence of swans being injured or killed by flying into the trnasmission wires. With the diverters in place, the birds should be better able to see the structures and fly over or under them.

John Christian, Assistant Director of Migratory Birds and State Programs, USFWS noted that this growing winter population supports the Mississippi Flyway Council's efforts to disperse the wintering population of this Upper Midwest nester to suitable sites well south of the breeding range where they find both abundant forage and a more hospitable climate." Christian added that "we are most pleased to see industry partnering on protecting these majestic birds."

Charlie Deutsch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers adds that helping the wintering swans is in line with the sanctuary's and the Corp's commitment to stewardship, environmental education and expanded outdoor recreation opportunities. "The swan project allows us to balance the role of rivers in a national transportation corridor, the environmental attributes of the area and the modern-day need for power," he says. "It's a very unique and creative project."

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary Nature Trail
This tour focuses on prairie restoration and manmade wetlands. The 3700 acre Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary is an example of the Corps' evolving commitment toward sustainable water resource development. This 1,200 acre prairie marsh restoration is an open-space reserve for an abundance of fish, waterfowl, and native marsh plants. Nature trails provide the public with a chance for a closer look at the natural landscape of bottomland prairie and wetlands within a sub-urban environment. Appropriate for all Ages.