Hour One: Missouri River Flow Changes

The Missouri River, over 2,300 miles long, drains nearly a sixth of the U.S. Over the years, the flow of that mighty river has been altered for many reasons, including flood control, hydropower generation, urban and agricultural development, recreation and commercial navigation. A plan currently being battled over in Washington would allow the Army Corps of Engineers to artificially change the seasonal flow of the Missouri River -- more water in the springtime, and less in the summertime. Environmental advocates say that the altered flow would mimic the natural cycle of the river, and would restore habitats for three endangered species: the least tern, the piping plover, and the pallid sturgeon. Area farmers, however, are concerned about the possibility of increased flooding, and barge operators that use the river for cargo traffic are concerned about the threat of lower water levels in the summer. Senator Kit Bond (R, MO), who calls the proposal "a federally-backed Fish & Wildlife flooding scheme that would have endangered countless folks who live along the Missouri River," has attached a provision to an energy and water appropriations bill blocking implementation of the plan. President Clinton is threatening to veto that bill to allow the plan to proceed.

NASA TOPSAR image of Missouri flooding, 1994. Colors represent elevation - purple lowest, yellow highest.

If enacted, the plan would involve release the release of millions of gallons of water at Gavins Point Dam, on the border between South Dakota and Nebraska, beginning next spring.

On this hour of Science Friday, live from Kansas City, Missouri, we'll talk about the proposal to alter the flow of the river. Call in with your questions and comments - our number is 1-800-989-8255.

The least tern. (USFWS file photo)

The piping plover. (USFWS file photo)

The pallid sturgeon. (USFWS file photo/Ken Bouc/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission)

Listen to this program in RealAudio!

Guests:

Chad Smith
Director, American Rivers
Missouri Field Office
Lincoln, Nebraska

Mark Wilson
Field Supervisor
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Columbia, Missouri

Mimi Garstang
State Geologist
Chief of Water Resources
State of Missouri
Jefferson City, Missouri

Books/Articles Discussed:

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Related Links:

Senate Bill 2704
MRR Master Manual
Missouri River Environmental Assessment Program
Missouri River Basin: Improving the Scientific Basis for Adaptive Management
MARC 2000 - Midwest Area River Coalition
Missouri Corn Online
KC Star Editorial on River Project
MoDNR: Missouri River Issues
All About Piping Plovers
The Pallid Sturgeon, a Missouri River "Dinosaur"
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Missouri River News
American Rivers Online
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
U.S. EPA Region 7
Missouri River Basin Association

Produced By: Annette Heist
Web Producer: Charles Bergquist