MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced construction activities will begin at Sam Gordy’s Backwater Complex on June 9, 2025. The project will improve fish habitat by restoring flow with the main Mississippi River channel and improving water quality.
Recreational users may need to avoid the direct project area during active construction, but access is not anticipated to be otherwise impacted.
Sam Gordy’s Backwater Complex, commonly known as Sam Gordy’s Slough, is approximately 350 acres on the Wisconsin bank of Pool 6 of the Mississippi River in Buffalo County.
The DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are sponsoring the project, and the restoration activities are contracted through Schafer’s Marine Services.
“The river inlet at Sam Gordy’s Slough is currently blocked by sediment during normal and low flow conditions,” said Shawn Giblin, DNR Mississippi River Water Resource Management Specialist. “Once this project is completed, the area will be better suited for fish production and provide a valuable recreational asset for the public.”
A rock deflector will be constructed at the river inlet to prevent sand from being deposited in the backwater complex, while still allowing for high-oxygen river water to enter the complex. This design has been used successfully on other Mississippi River habitat projects.
Additionally, the downstream riverbank will be armored with rock riprap and the accumulated sand in the aeration channel will be mechanically dredged.
Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 1, 2025.
