Pool 4 of the Mississippi River stretches from Lock and Dam #3 near Hager City, Wisconsin, downstream to Alma, Wisconsin, where Lock and Dam #4 is located. The lock and dams project provides navigation for deep-draft boating, and project lands around the pool provide opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, fishing, and hunting.
Visitors to the area can visit towns along the river with amenities and historic sites, and the area is especially popular for bird watchers, with populations of migrating birds and bald eagles.
The pool stretches from mile 796.7 to 738.1 of the Mississippi River and includes Lake Pepin. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas along Pool 4 include the Lock and Dam # 4 Public Use Area, Pool 4 Buffalo River Landing, Pool 4 Cedar Ridge Resort, Pool 4, Indian Slough, Pool 4 Pontoon Slough and Rieck's Lake Park in the City of Alma, Wisconsin.
Buffalo River Landing and Indian Slough have boat ramps, and Cedar Ridge Resort has a marina and picnic area. Rieck's Lake Park offers overnight camping and has observation platforms. The site is a well-known spot to view tundra swans migrating through the area in the spring and fall.
Visitors and campers in the region will find services and recreation sites in the City of Alma, Wisconsin. The Willow River State Park is nearby for RVers in the area to visit.
The Mississippi River Pool 4 is a COE Project that stretches over 50 miles upstream along the Upper Mississippi River Valley from Alma, Wisconsin, and encompasses Lake Pepin. There are several recreation sites along the waterway which can be accessed from the main highways that parallel the river. Rieck's Lake Park is located 3 miles north of the City of Alma on Highway 35, on the east side of the highway. The park and access roads are paved and allow RV access. The park and campground are small and large tow vehicles, and RVs may have some difficulty maneuvering in the park. Lock and Dam # 4 is located 2 miles south of Rieck’s Lake Park on Highway 35. The parking area at the dam site does not accommodate tow vehicles, but there is street parking nearby that will accommodate larger vehicles. During the winter the area is subject to harsh winter weather and winter road conditions. Tow vehicles can be especially difficult to handle on icy roads, so use caution. While driving an RV, or pulling a trailer in winter driving conditions, chains, winter tires, and driving slowly and avoiding sudden turns and braking can mitigate icy conditions.
Rieck's Lake campground has 20 campsites and is located within the City of Alma, Wisconsin city limits, on Highway 35 north of the urban area. The campground is situated on the east side of the highway, and the river is located on the west side of the highway. The campground is well treed, and campsites have plenty of shade and privacy. There are viewing decks for observing the natural area, wildlife, and bird populations that migrate through the area.
The Tundra Swan migration passes through the region in the late fall and spring and is a special attraction to the park. There is a picnic area and group picnic pavilions, kitchen facility, toilet and shower facilities, and a generously sized playground with swings. Grills, fire pits, and picnic tables are available at campsites.
Group picnic shelters can be reserved by signing up on-site, and kitchen facilities can be reserved by contacting the City of Alma. RV electric hookups are also available at this first come first served campground. An RV dump site is available a short distance up the road.
The Corps of Engineers Lock and Dam projects along the Upper Mississippi River allow passage of small and large watercraft up and down the river. There is a private marina on pool 4, and boat launches at Buffalo River Landing and Indian Slough Recreation Areas. While the lock and dam system along the river provides a nine-foot channel for larger boats, shallow water boats can also navigate the backwaters in the nearby wilderness areas for sightseeing, fishing, and recreation.
Observation platforms are located at Lock and Dam # 4 in the City of Alma, Wisconsin, where visitors can view the operation of the boat locks that allow towboats and barges to travel up and down the river. The lock is located at mile 752.8 on the Upper Mississippi River Valley and visitors both young and old will find the operation of the lock, as it fills and drains to allow watercraft to access the upper and lower pools of Dam #4, fascinating. The COE office located here can provide interesting information on the history and operation of the facility, and there are nearby amenities for visitors.
The Upper Mississippi River and Pepin Lake provide excellent fishing along the COE Pool #4 in Wisconsin. Be sure to have a valid State of Wisconsin fishing license to partake in fishing activities. The river is known for having excellent walleye and bass populations, and tournaments in the area are frequent occurrences.
There are fishing piers located along the river that accommodate sport fishing, and boat ramps allowing fishing boats access to the river and lake. The river freezes partially in the winter, and river ice is not safe for ice fishing in the offseason.
Hunting on public lands along Pool 4 of the Corps Mississippi River Channel, including the Upper Mississippi River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, is permitted during the appropriate hunting seasons. Game available for harvest in the area includes white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ring-necked pheasant, grouse, bobwhite quail, squirrel, rabbit, coyote, fox, and raccoon. Make sure you follow state hunting regulations carefully and obtain required licenses and permits prior to hunting.
Wildlife observation platforms at Rieck's Lake Park are well known for being excellent locations for wildlife viewing and birdwatching. The area is especially famous for its Tundra Swan Watch during the spring and fall when these unique birds migrate through the region from Alaska and Canada. The best time for viewing the migration is mid-October to November when a population of approximately 6000 Tundra Swans passes through the area. Bald eagles are also frequent inhabitants in the region. They often congregate around the open water just downstream of Lock and Dam #4 during the winter months, when much of the river system is frozen. Herons, waterfowl, and other migrating birds passing through the river corridor provide excellent bird watching opportunities, especially during seasonal migrations.
Hiking and biking trails in the area support cross-country skiers and snowshoers during the winter months with adequate snowfall. Cross country ski tracks are created, groomed, and maintained in Frontenac State Park on the north side of Lake Pepin in the State of Minnesota. Some rental equipment is available at the park offices in Frontenac State Park, and this park has shelters with firewood and electrical outlets where you can warm up while gliding or trekking this winter wonderland.
