Mississippi River Drawdown Near Winona Canceled
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says continued flooding has forced it to cancel the drawdown of a pool in the Mississippi River near Winona over the summer.
Concerns about access points raised during last summer's drawdown coupled with uncertainty over the federal budget also contributed to the cancellation. The purpose of the drawdown would have been to enhance emerging vegetation in the lower portion of the drawdown area.
Various pools in the Mississippi River have undergone drawdowns over the past 10 years, some resulting in plant growth and increased wildlife, particularly migratory waterfowl. KAGE Radio reports the aquatic life in the pool near Winona is being monitored to determine whether it benefited from last year's drawdown.
Officials are looking into drawdowns in other portions of the river, including near Red Wing.
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