BAY CITY, Wis. – The Army Corps, which manages the Upper Mississippi shipping, is floating a plan to restore the clogged Isabelle River inflow into Lake Pepin. Nutrient levels in the lake have been rising and threatening wildlife habitat. The Corps asked for public comment by June 11 on projects in what’s called Catherine Pass. Options range from $11 million to $48 million. This is in the Pierce County islands on the Wisconsin side of the upper reaches of Lake Pepin. The project includes new islands, a water level management dike, a water-level control structure, new shoreline protection, and a mudflat, Catherine Pass would be partially closed. The goal: Reduce sediment and increase water clarity.
Catherine Pass. The Isabelle River, which now empties at Bay City, would be re=channelled north to new structures in white