Now that the river stage has been hovering around 8.5 to 9 feet for awhile at the McGregor gauge, workers for Owens Excavating and Trenching of Hazel Green have been busy putting in docks, a fishing pier, new sidewalks and a boat ramp at the Villa Louis Boat Landing on St. Feriole Island in Prairie du Chien. When completed, the landing will include an asphalt parking lot with 31 vehicle-trailer stalls and 13 vehicle stalls. The parking lot is in place but the stall markings have not been painted yet. Other improvements will include railroad crossing improvements, a proposed trail, a stormwater management area, proposed Americans with Disabilities Act parking, a fishing pier, floating docks near the existing boat ramps, a new asphalt driveway, and a new concrete boat ramp downstream from the existing boat ramps. The new boat ramp will be approximately 80 feet long. The total cost of the project is $481,360.77, including engineering and permitting. A Recreational Boating Facilities Grant provided $207,973. Boat launch fees totaled $207,973. Capital borrowing amounted to $41,890. Donations came to $23,524.77. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)
