SUB-BASIN PROFILE

Missouri River Sub-basin

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The Missouri River Basin is a vast and significant hydrological region in North America, encompassing parts of ten U.S. states and one Canadian province. Here’s an overview:

Missouri River Sub-basin
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Area: The basin covers over 529,000 square miles, making it the largest river basin in the United States.

Headwaters: The Missouri River originates in the Rocky Mountains of southwestern Montana, formed by the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers.

Course: The river flows east and south for approximately 2,341 miles before joining the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, Missouri.

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Tributaries: Major tributaries include the Yellowstone, Platte, Kansas, and Osage Rivers. The basin also includes numerous smaller rivers and streams.

Dams and Reservoirs: The basin is home to several significant dams, including Fort Peck, Garrison, and Oahe, which are crucial for flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power.

Ecosystems: The Missouri River Basin supports diverse ecosystems, ranging from the mountainous regions in the west to the Great Plains and agricultural lands in the east.

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Agriculture: The basin is a critical agricultural region, producing significant amounts of corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock.

Navigation: The river serves as an important transportation route for goods, particularly agricultural products.

Recreation: The basin offers numerous recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.

Water Supply: It provides water for millions of people and supports various industrial activities.

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Environmental Impact: The basin faces challenges such as sedimentation, nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff, and habitat loss.

Water Management: Managing the water resources of such a large and diverse basin requires coordinated efforts across multiple states and jurisdictions.

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Projects in this sub-basin (4)

ProjectSub-BasinTypeImplementerStatusCostBenefits
Living Lakes Initiative (LLI) Missouri River Basin Wetland Restoration and Creation Ducks Unlimited Accepting Funding VolumetricWater Quality
Preserve Our Prairies Initiative – General Program Missouri River Basin Agricultural best management practices (BMPs) Ducks Unlimited Accepting Funding $40,000,000
Big Rivers Initiative (BRI) – Reed Farm, IA Missouri River Basin Wetland Restoration and Creation Ducks Unlimited Accepting Funding $358,000 Volumetric
Living Lakes Initiative (LLI) – Black Rock Farms Missouri River Basin Wetland Restoration and Creation Ducks Unlimited Accepting Funding $869,000

Living Lakes Initiative (LLI)

Sub-BasinMissouri River Basin
TypeWetland Restoration and Creation
ImplementerDucks Unlimited
StatusAccepting Funding
Cost
BenefitsVolumetricWater Quality

Preserve Our Prairies Initiative – General Program

Sub-BasinMissouri River Basin
TypeAgricultural best management practices (BMPs)
ImplementerDucks Unlimited
StatusAccepting Funding
Cost$40,000,000
Benefits

Big Rivers Initiative (BRI) – Reed Farm, IA

Sub-BasinMissouri River Basin
TypeWetland Restoration and Creation
ImplementerDucks Unlimited
StatusAccepting Funding
Cost$358,000
BenefitsVolumetric

Living Lakes Initiative (LLI) – Black Rock Farms

Sub-BasinMissouri River Basin
TypeWetland Restoration and Creation
ImplementerDucks Unlimited
StatusAccepting Funding
Cost$869,000
Benefits