The original lands comprising the Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge were purchased in response to the 1993 Flood after the failure of various private levees. The refuge currently includes approximately 4,300 acres on four divisions: Harlow Island, Wilkinson Island, Meissner Island, and Beaver Island. These divisions are located along 60 miles of the Mississippi River south of St. Louis, Missouri.
Harlow, Wilkinson, and Meissner are called "islands" although the term is now misleading. At one time these areas were true islands, but river structures intended to keep water flowing to the center of the navigation channel have caused sedimentation through the decades, accreting the islands to the mainland and eliminating flowing side channels.
The primary management goal of Middle Mississippi River NWR is to restore habitats that have been lost or degraded as a result of modifications to the flood plain and the river. Major habitat types include bottomland forest, wetlands, and aquatic areas.
The 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is an agency of the Department of the Interior. Our mission is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
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