One of six field stations associated with the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP)

Authorized by the Water Resources Development Acts of 1986 and 1999 (Public Law 99-662) as an element of the US Army Corps of Engineers' Environmental Management Program, the mission of the LTRMP is to provide river managers with information needed to maintain the Upper Mississippi River System as a viable multiple-use ecosystem. The LTRMP is administered by the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse, WI.

Over 10 Years of monitoring data

GRFS researchers have monitored water quality, fish, macroinvertebrates, and aquatic vegetation communities for over 10 years along a 50-mile stretch of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers above Melvin Price Lock and Dam 26.

Ecological Research

Invasive Species

GRFS staff conduct research on invasive species such as zebra mussels and bighead carp.

Endangered Species

GRFS researchers work with endangered species such as the Illinois chorus frog.

Herpetology

Several research projects dealing with reptiles and amphibians are ongoing at the GRFS. These include studies of turtle life history and food habits of Illinois herptiles.

Floodplain Forest Dynamics

Past studies have documented pre- and post-settlement distribution of floodplain forests. Current research is investigating how floods affect seedling survival, seed dispersal, and forest community composition.

Part of the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center!

Meet our Staff:

Robert Cosgriff

Eric Gittinger

Brian Macias

Kathy McKeever

Brenda Pluck

Eric Ratcliff

John Tucker