The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with Ramsey County, awarded a $14.7 million contract to LS Marine, Inc., to restore habitat on Pigs Eye Lake, located in upper Pool 2 of the Mississippi River near downtown Saint Paul. Approximately 400,000 cubic yards of dredged river sand from the Pine Bend Island placement site will be beneficially reused to build six islands within the lake.
The project will enhance and restore backwater habitat by creating island and wetland features for birds and fish such as sand beaches, marsh habitat restoration and terrestrial plantings. The total project footprint will be approximately 40 acres and will provide benefits to more than 600 acres of Pigs Eye Lake and the surrounding habitat. The project will also improve the water quality by reducing wind fetch.
Heavy construction equipment will be used to place the material on the islands and boaters are asked to use caution if they are in the area as the lake will be an active construction site. Initial construction will begin this week focusing on building the island foundations and will largely be done underwater. Construction is expected to reach the water surface later this year. The project is expected to continue through November 2022 and resume in spring 2023 with the final topsoil placement and vegetation planting.
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