The 2,609-acre Louisa Division is located just east of Wapello, Iowa in Louisa County. It is protected from moderate flooding by an Army Corps of Engineers levee stretching to Lock and Dam 17, approximately one mile south of the division border. The levee is integral to maintaining the nine-foot navigation channel due to its proximity to the dam. The Port Louisa Refuge headquarters is located on this division in an area that includes 48 acres of forest and a four-acre prairie restoration situated on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River floodplain.
Traditional waterfowl management has been the primary objective on Louisa since its conversion from an agricultural levee district to a national wildlife refuge in the 1940's. Some cropping still occurs on the slightly higher elevations, but 800 acres are dedicated to promoting growth of wetland plants for use by waterfowl. Most of the wetland acres are managed as moist soil units which require properly timed water manipulations to provide the proper conditions for the growth of preferred plants and invertebrates for migrating waterfowl.
Other habitats include a 45-acre permanent body of water - Prairie Pocket - and bottomland forest. Existing hardwoods in the floodplain were devastated by prolonged flooding in 1993 and many have died, however the 18-acre pecan grove continues to thrive. A small 25-acre sand prairie was established on the highest ridge of Louisa Division in 1985. Even though this site was inundated by 1993 flood waters, some grasses and forbs survived and prescribed burning on the unit has helped invigorate the stand.
Louisa Division is bordered to the south by Lake Odessa State Wildlife Management Area (WMA), managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Primary management on this area is for migratory waterfowl and fisheries. Lake Odessa and the Louisa Division share recently constructed water control structures at the north end (inlet from the river) of the Louisa Division, and south end of Lake Odessa (outlet). Water travels via gravity-flow through the inlet structure and is diverted into Louisa Division or sent on to Lake Odessa. The Refuge and Lake Odessa Unit coordinate water delivery to satisfy both management objectives. Both entities often need flow at the same time.
Louisa Division is a migratory bird sanctuary from September 15 until January 31 and is closed to public entry. No hunting is permitted on the division, however the adjacent Lake Odessa area is popular with hunters. A concrete boat ramp provides river access from the northern boundary of the Louisa Division. An accessible fishing pier allows anglers to cast their lines into the diversion ditch leading to Lake Odessa.
Other areas of interest in the area include the Klum Lake WMA and the Lake Odessa WMA, mentioned above, both public hunting areas. For more information contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (319) 260-1225 TTY: 1-800-526-0844. The Toolesboro Mounds State Preserve is also located nearby, providing a rich historical view of the area.
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