Contractors were busy this winter working on the Terrells Island and Samers Bay restoration project and substantial progress was made. Phase 1 of the project is now almost complete with approximately 1,400 feet of existing breakwall at Terrells Island removed.

Project Webpage

Phase 1 Progress Timeline:

  • Early 2021
    • 460 ft. of Terrell Island breakwall removed
    • Rock was reused to build breakwalls #8 and #10 in Samers Bay
  • Early 2022
    •  940 ft. of Terrell Island breakwall removed
    • Rock was reused to build breakwalls #6, #7, and #9 in Samers Bay
    • Island #6 within Terrell Island was removed
    • Rock from Island #6 was reused to begin building breakwall #11 at Samers Bay
    • Small rock/sand removed from Island #6 was reused to build a turnaround at one end of the Terrell Island opening

The turnaround will be used by maintenance/safety vehicles and will serve as a viewing area for recreational users. Contractors tried to remove as much rock armoring from islands 2-5 as possible, however, frost conditions made it difficult. As conditions warmed, the contractors wrapped up this years construction efforts and moved equipment off site.

Looking ahead to project goals for early 2023:

  • Complete Phase I:
    • Remove remaining material from artificial rock islands #2-5 located within Terrell Island
    • Finish breakwall #11
  • Complete Phase II:
    • Build remaining 2,850 ft of breakwall using new stone at Samers Bay

Contractors typically have a short window when ice conditions will support the heavy equipment and trucks needed to complete this type of work. We need at least 2 ft of solid ice for construction traffic. Mother Nature gave us good working conditions this year and it was a great year of progress on the project overall.

We want to thank our project partners for their ongoing dedication, hard work, and commitment to this project and our funders for helping to make this project happen. Check out more project photos and videos on the project web page.

CLICK HERE to visit the Terrell’s Island and Samers Bay project web page where you will find additional project details including a list of project partners, funding sources, photos, aerial videos, and more!

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance recovery initiative. Contact us at wwinfo@fwwa.org