For centuries, the Middle Mississippi River and its floodplain have provided habitat for hundreds of fish and wildlife species. Over time, however, the natural river has been dramatically altered for navigation, flood control, agriculture and other human development, leaving fewer natural places for birds, fish, and other animals to live.
The lands and waters of the Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge provide wetlands, aquatic habitat and bottomland forest for the birds, fish and mussels, mammals, amphibians and reptiles that are native to this portion of the Upper Mississippi River. Unfortunately, many non-native invasive species are becoming established too.
Least tern
Ducks, geese, shorebirds, and marsh and wading birds feed on our wetland plants and invertebrates. Floodplain turtles, salamanders, frogs and snakes often depend on refuge wetlands, too. Fish are found in side channels, between wing dikes, and other aquatic habitats in the river. Many fish species also make use of backwaters and wetlands for feeding, protection from predators, and spawning substrate. Bottomland forests are used by migrating and nesting songbirds, waterfowl, hawks and eagles, herons and egrets, deer, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
The endangered pallid sturgeon lives in the waters of the Middle Mississippi River and the endangered least tern nests on its sandbars.
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