Celebrating the Grand Opening of the Fred Funk Boat Landing on Brice Prairie

We invite you to celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated Fred Funk boat landing, located in the heart of Brice Prairie, on Saturday September 7, 2019 at 10am. The landing provides access to the Mississippi River backwaters, including Lake Onalaska. 

At 10:00am we will gather in front of the 2 panel kiosk, where the donated commemorative bricks are installed, to welcome guests and share light refreshments compliments of the Lake Onalaska District. There will be a short program to recognize partners who contributed to the project and to provide a brief history about the landing. Immediately afterwards, the public is invited to join us on a pontoon ride, hosted by Schafer’s Marine Services, to see a demonstration of a travel corridor, which was established by aquatic vegetation cutting and removal. This method will be used to create future boat travel corridors on Lake Onalaska. In addition, the Brice Prairie EMS and Rescue will be dedicating their new rescue boat and using it to show the vegetation harvesting operations. 

The renovations include installation of the following: two new boat ramps and adjacent asphalt surfaces, 2 new docks, LED light poles to increase visibility, ADA accessible sidewalks, 2 storm-water detention ponds, a 2 panel kiosk, a new entry sign (by Charlie Lipke) and new striping on the parking areas. An ADA accessible fishing platform will also be installed with funds provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

This project was made possible through funding and donations from the following: Brice Prairie Conservation Association, Lake Onalaska Protection and Rehabilitation District, Town of Onalaska, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, La Crosse County, North American Squirrel Association, Riverland Energy, Strupp Trucking, and many private citizens. In addition, the Wisconsin Waterways Commission provided a matching grant. Other partners included the Army Corps of Engineers and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 

We hope to see you there! For more information about this event contact Tony Christnovch at 608-385-3080. 

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is the most visited refuge in the United States. The refuge extends 261 miles along the Upper Mississippi River from Wabasha, Minn. to Rock Island, Ill., protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife. 

In addition to being the most visited refuge in the country, the “Upper Miss” Refuge has the added complexity of a major navigation system, including 11 locks and dams, within its boundary. It is also a world-class fish and wildlife area which harbors 306 species of birds; 119 species of fish; more than 300 active bald eagle nests; thousands of heron and egret nests; spectacular concentrations of canvasback ducks, tundra swans, and white pelicans; and several threatened or endangered species.