Results of Sediment Sampling and Elutriate Testing at the Proposed Wilson Island Shallow Water Habitat Project Site

A project is being proposed to enhance shallow-water habitat (SWH) along Upper Calhoun Bend of the Missouri River in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is constructing SWH along the lower Missouri River downstream of Gavins Point Dam to mitigate aquatic habitat lost from past bank stabilization and channelization, and enhance habitat for the endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) population along the lower Missouri River. The Omaha District (District) is referring to the proposed project as the Wilson Island project. Deposited sediment will be excavated at the project site to enhance backwater habitat at an existing chute area. Sediment excavation will involve hydraulic dredging with the dredge spoil being discharged to the adjacent Missouri River. It is believed the sediment/soil to be dredged will be primarily alluvial material. An estimated 910,000 cubic yards of sediment/soil could be excavated and discharged to the Missouri River.