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Fox Island Division

The northernmost division of Great River National Wildlife Refuge is the Fox Island Division, located five miles south of Keokuk, Iowa near Alexandria, Missouri. It is comprised of approximately 2,110 acres in Clark County, Missouri. The Fox River which runs through southeastern Iowa and northeastern Missouri, bisects the division, and empties into the Mississippi River at the southern tip of the division. Part of the western boundary touches the Missouri Department of Conservation's Rose Pond Conservation Area. The Fox Island Division is prone to flooding from both the Mississippi and Fox Rivers.

A large percentage of the division was once agricultural land. Acorns and pecans were planted on 160 acres in 1994, with an additional 80 acres planted in 1998. Wetland restoration within the division has been difficult because of highly porous soils, but three remnant sloughs have been partially restored by blocking agricultural drains with water control structures. Approximately 130 wetland acres have been enhanced by these efforts and additional habitat enhancements are being planned. Other habitats available to wildlife include marsh areas, a lake, slough channels and forested wetlands. Ninety acres of former cropland within the Mississippi/Fox Drainage District levee may be suitable for restoration of native grasses. Approximately 550 acres is still planted annually with corn or soybeans, over the next few years cropland reduction is likely to occur within this division.

Fox Island is closed to all public entry from October 16 through December 31. Deer hunting is allowed during the Missouri state antlerless only season. No public use facilities exist at this time on this division, and minimal "flood friendly" structures are proposed for development. Because only 90 of the 2,110 acres are protected by a levee, passage to this floodplain division can be limited by the river's fluctuations. Reliable road access for both management needs and public use is virtually non-existent.

Regulations

• General

• Hunting

• Fishing

Last updated: March 26, 2009

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