Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge

Mark Twain NWR started as a result of the Lock and Dam system construction on the Mississippi River in the late 30's and early 40's. The Corps of Engineers purchased lands needed for the resulting navigation pools. In accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, all those lands that were not directly needed for project operations were turned over to the Fish and Wildlife Service for natural resource management purposes. On the initial 67,000 acres of "General Plan" Corps lands, the Refuge retained 17,000 acres while the remaining 50,000 acres were granted to the States of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri through agreements with the Fish and Wildlife Service.

With subsequent acquisitions the refuge now totals approximately 45,000 acres in 17 different Divisions or units. These Divisions are scattered along 342 miles of the Mississippi River between Muscatine, Iowa and Gorham, Illinois, as well as a 45-mile stretch of the Iowa River. To manage this number of Divisions over such a wide area, the Refuge is separated into three Districts and a headquarters in Quincy, Illinois.

The ANNADA DISTRICT consists of the Clarence Cannon NWR and the Delair, Gardner, Harlow Island and Gregory Landing Divisions of Mark Twain. The District contains some of the last remaining large contiguous stands of bottomland hardwoods in the area.

The BRUSSELS DISTRICT includes the Calhoun, Batchtown, Gilbert Lake, Portage Island and Apple Creek Divisions. The division includes a major archaeological site, including two mounds.

The WAPELLO DISTRICT includes the Big Timber, Louisa, Keithsburg and Horseshoe Bend divisions. Three Divisions, Big Timber, Louisa and Keithsburg, are located in the floodplains of the Mississippi River, while Horseshoe Bend is in the Iowa River floodplain.

Located within the Mississippi Flyway, one of the nation's most important flyway routes, Mark Twain NWR provides waterfowl and other migratory birds with food, water and protection during the spring and fall migrations.

All lands are administered by the Districts except the 9,323-acre Iowa River Corridor Project, which is managed by the Iowa DNR and the 2,300-acre Wilkinson Island in Jackson County, IL, which is managed by the Mark Twain Headquarters staff.

Visitor Opportunities

Clarence Cannon NWR and Annada District
The Clarence Cannon NWR, Gardner and Gregory Landing Divisions are open to public use including wildlife observation, photography, and nut, berry and mushroom picking. Peak visitation periods are during the spring and fall migrations when visitors come to see the waterfowl, eagles, shorebirds and deer. Hunting and fishing are allowed on the Gardner and Gregory Landing Divisions in accordance with state regulations. Hunting is regulated by the refuge on the Gregory Landing Division and the area is closed from October 15 through April 15. Duck blinds on the Gardner Division are administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. As a stipulation of the purchase of the Delair Division, the area is to remain closed to public entry except for environmental education and special hunts.

A small visitor reception area in the District headquarters on Clarence Cannon NWR is open during working hours Monday through Friday. The observation deck adjacent to the headquarters parking lot is always open and provides visitors with an opportunity to see many different types of wildlife. An interpretive auto tour route is planned for a portion of the Clarence Cannon NWR to guide visitors. The 1993 flood and lack of funding set back the implementation of the plan. Five miles of roads are currently open to the public on Clarence Cannon NWR most of the year. Portions of these roads may be closed during peak waterfowl times to reduce disturbance to the birds.

Brussels District
The District Office is located at the Calhoun Division of the refuge and includes a visitor contact station. The station is open during business hours Monday-Friday and is staffed with volunteers on weekends during much of the fall and spring migration seasons, as well as the winter bald eagle viewing period. Large binoculars are mounted on the deck outside the contact station where visitors can view wildlife on nearby moist soil units, grasslands and Swan Lake. With its close proximity to St. Louis the District sponsors, or is part of, many special events at or near the refuge. Portions of Calhoun, Gilbert and Batchtown Divisions roads are open to wildlife observation by hiking. Seasonal fishing opportunities are available on all Divisions. There are no hunting programs conducted by the District.

Wapello District
A wide variety of public use activities is available on the various Divisions of the Wapello District. Hunting and fishing opportunities are available on the Big Timber, Horseshoe Bend and Keithsburg Divisions. The Wapello District has one designated foot trail, located near the headquarters on the Louisa Division. The trail is approximately 0.75 mile long, and traverses the bluff and drops to the floodplain following the Lake Odessa shoreline for a short distance. Birders regularly use the hiking trail to observe migrants and resident breeders. It is common to see deer, wood ducks, great blue herons and other birds and mammals while walking the hiking trail. At the head of the hiking trail is an observation platform, complete with a binocular viewing scope. Many visitors use this platform to view the refuge and its birds and animals.

The Louisa Division is closed to all hunting, but open to fishing and non-consumptive uses from February 1 through September 15. Hunting is permitted on the Big Timber Division following all state regulations. Waterfowl hunting accounts for the majority of hunters using this area, but deer and squirrel hunters may also be encountered. The Keithsburg Division in Illinois only has a 15-day squirrel season from September 1-15 every year. Virtually no one avails themselves of this opportunity. The Horseshoe Bend Division remains closed to public entry from September 15 through November 30 as a waterfowl sanctuary. The Division is open the rest of the year to hunting according to state regulations for upland game.

Fishing is a very popular activity on all Divisions of the Wapello District. Louisa Division requires walking or biking to fishing sites during the refuge open season. The area around the inlet ditch is open year-round. Big Timber and Keithsburg Divisions are heavily used fishing areas. Big Timber is open year-round and receives moderate ice fishing pressure as well as heavy spring, summer and fall endeavors. The Keithsburg Division closes September 16 through December 31 to public entry for fall waterfowl migration, but receives heavy ice fishing pressure the rest of the winter. The Horseshoe Bend Division is also open to fishing from December 1 through September 14. Access to fishing sites on this Division is difficult as no vehicle traffic is permitted and the small lakes are quite a hiking distance from any road.

Management Programs
Water level management, moist soil management, wetland and floodplain function restoration, bottomland reforestation, prescribed burning, native grassland (prairie) restoration, farming, law enforcement.

Directions and Additional Information
Annada District & Clarence Cannon NWR
The headquarters for the four Mark Twain Divisions is located on the Clarence Cannon NWR. From St. Louis take I-70 west and exit Hwy 79 north. Take 79 north approx. 35 miles to town of Annada. Turn right on County Road 206 and proceed one mile to Refuge office.

Brussels District
The District office, including the visitor contact station, is located 4 miles east of Brussels, Illinois. It can be reached from the east: located 5 miles west of Brussels ferry, which crosses the Illinois River along the Great River Road (IL Hwy 100), 14 miles northwest of Alton, Illinois. From the west: The refuge is located north of St. Charles County, Missouri. Cross the Mississippi River on Golden Eagle ferry off County Hwy B, go 6 miles to reach the County Hwy, go 1.7 miles east on Illinois River Road.

Wapello District
From Hwy 61 in Wapello, turn east on Hwy 99. Cross Iowa River, then turn left (east) on on County Road G62. Follow G62 for 3.5 miles until stop sign. Turn left (north) at this intersection, which is County Road X61, and follow it 1.4 miles. District Office is on right (east) side of road.

Refuge Headquarters
There are no refuge lands located at the Headquarters. Refuge Office is located along IL Hwy 96 on the north side of Quincy, Illinois, in the VanderHaar Plaza.

If you need additional information, please contact the field station directly.

Mark Twain NWR
1704 N. 24th Street
Quincy, IL 62301
Phone (217) 224-8580
Fax (217) 224-8583