The natural resources of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) have been altered to facilitate commercial navigation and related activities.

Dredging, dams, regulatory structures, water level manipulation, tow impacts, and associated developments such as barge fleeting and barge spills have all degraded fish and wildlife resources.
UMRCC biologists play a major role in assuring that the needs of UMR fish and wildlife resources are adequately considered in future navigation projects.
Photo by Owen Johnson