Mississippi River - Pool 9

Mississippi River Pool 9 lies within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Genoa and Lynxville, Wisconsin. Project lands sit within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and the Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The main channel provides deep draft boating opportunities while the backwaters provide a wilderness area atmosphere for smaller shallow draft boats. There is an observation platform for visitors to watch lock operations and see towboats and barges up close. Blackhawk Park, one of the largest campgrounds on the Upper Mississippi River, is located in Pool 9 about 7 miles south of Genoa on WI State Hwy 35. Authorized in 1930 to provide a 9-foot navigation channel between Minneapolis–St. Paul and St. Louis, the Upper Mississippi River Project offers extensive water-based recreation, from backwater hunting and fishing to long-distance cruising in the main channel. In the St. Paul District the project flows through three National Wildlife Refuges, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, and many state and local wildlife and recreation areas. Designated an American Heritage River, it offers sightseeing along the water, visits to quaint river towns, views of the wooded bluffs, and bald eagles soaring overhead.