23 Fun Facts About the Missouri River (Missouri Marvels)

1. The longest river in North America is the Missouri River. 

Flowing through seven states, the Missouri River stretches over 2,341 miles. This makes it the longest river in North America, even longer than the Mississippi River.

Its source is located in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, and it winds through many states before joining the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri.

2. Part of the Missouri River Basin, the Missouri River Forms. 

The Missouri River Basin covers approximately 529,350 square miles across several states, including Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

This vast area is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources that support countless communities and industries. 

3. It was a major route for explorers during the 1800s. 

In the early 19th century, explorers like Lewis and Clark relied on the Missouri River to chart the western United States.

The river was a vital waterway for trade and communication and played a pivotal role in the westward expansion of the United States. 

4. Named After the Indigenous Missouri Tribe, the Missouri River Was.

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The Missouri River had a most appropriate namesake. The moniker was provided by a distinguishable group: the Indigenous people known as the Missouri Tribe.

This mighty, powerful nation of Indigenous people had a revered title in their own language that inspired the name we know and love today. The name directly translates to People of the Big Canoe, honoring their great tradition of fishing in tandem with large wooden canoes down this special river. 

5. A Wide Range of Wildlife Exists in the Missouri River.

The Missouri River is home to over 100 species of fish, as well as numerous birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Wildlife such as the endangered pallid sturgeon and the migrating American white pelican rely on the river’s ecosystem for survival.

6. It drains a vast part of the United States. 

The Missouri River drains a significant portion of the central United States, impacting parts of 10 states.

The river’s watershed includes major tributaries like the Yellowstone, Platte, and Kansas Rivers, contributing to its size and importance. 

7. The river has been modified by dams and reservoirs. 

Throughout the 20th century, dams were constructed along the Missouri River to control flooding, provide irrigation, and generate hydroelectric power.

The most well-known of these dams is the Gavins Point Dam, located near Yankton, South Dakota. 

8. Home to Wildlife Like Bald Eagles, Beavers, and River Otters, the Missouri River is.

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The Missouri River, teeming with life, serves as a crucial habitat for a diverse array of wildlife, including the majestic Bald Eagles, industrious Beavers, playful River Otters, and a wide range of bird species.

These animals play essential roles in the river’s ecosystem, from the Bald Eagles that soar above, keeping the fish population in check, to the Beavers whose dam-building activities create vital wetlands for other species. River Otters, with their voracious appetite, help maintain the balance of aquatic life.

9. The river has been modified by dams and reservoirs. 

Throughout the 20th century, dams were constructed along the Missouri River to control flooding, provide irrigation, and generate hydroelectric power.

The most well-known of these dams is the Gavins Point Dam, located near Yankton, South Dakota. 

10. It is used for navigation.

Despite being a winding and sometimes unpredictable river, the Missouri River is used for navigation, particularly for transporting goods such as grain, coal, and oil.

The river is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which works to keep it navigable through dredging and lock systems.

11. It is the lifeblood of local economies. 

The Missouri River plays a significant role in the economies of the states it flows through, particularly in agriculture and transportation.

It is vital for the transport of crops like corn and soybeans, and its waters support many industries in cities like St. Louis and Kansas City. 

12. Dams of the Missouri River Include Fort Peck, Montana and Gavin’s Point, South Dakota.

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The Missouri River hosts a vital infrastructure, with many dams and reservoirs. One of the key structures along the watershed is the Fort Peck Dam in Montana, an earthen berm built in 1933 to contain sediment loads and provide water conservation benefits.

Further downstream rests another one of these important pieces of engineering – the Gavin’s Point Dam, which spans South Dakota and Nebraska and was constructed in 1956 to support recreational boating better. Both are exemplary waterworks that shape part of this vital river’s history.

13. The river has historical significance. 

Throughout American history, the Missouri River has been a key geographical feature in the nation’s development.

From the Lewis and Clark expedition to the establishment of the Pony Express, the river has shaped both history and culture. 

14. A Site for Civil War Battles, the Missouri River Was.

The Missouri River can dawn on history as the setting of numerous battles during the American Civil War. A prime example of this is the renowned Battle of Lexington, held aloft on her waters.

Furthermore, there was also the Battle of Westport. Both flaring displays of tanks and soldiers saw their venue entrenched within the sable stream of the Missouri River’s lay.

15. It has a significant impact on local weather patterns. 

The Missouri River’s extensive waters have a role in shaping the local climate, particularly in terms of moisture levels.

The river’s presence can affect precipitation patterns in the surrounding regions, influencing agriculture and local ecosystems. 

16. Crucial for Transporting Agricultural Goods, the Missouri River Is.

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The Missouri River plays an essential role in transporting vital agricultural commodities. Critical products such as wheat, corn, and soybeans receive a crucial connection to buyers through the Missouri River trade route.

The flow of these agricultural goods is immense thanks to the invaluable asset of water transportation. For local communities bustling with farming activity, trucks, planes, and airplanes are not seen filling our highways, but quality cargo boats fill the Missouri River, heaving locally grown commodities toward far-off destinations. 

17. The river’s history is recorded in old maps and journals. 

Explorers like Lewis and Clark meticulously recorded their journeys along the Missouri River, creating invaluable historical documents.

These maps and journals provide a glimpse into the early days of exploration and settlement in the U.S. 

18. The Missouri River shelters endangered species like the Piping Plover and Pallid Sturgeon.

The Missouri River is a nursery for many threatened and endangered species, providing lifecycle support and nourishment. In particular, it is one of the last refuges of the Piping Plover, an imperiled shorebird that combines art with science–each feather a calculated pattern, like tiny colorful brushstrokes in the air.

Similarly housing the Pallid Sturgeon, a rare fish easily discernible by its fossil-like armor plating and prominent snout. They are both critical inhabitants of Missouri’s biodiversity and are unique character standouts within its aquatic ecosystem.

19. A Key Flyway for Migratory Birds, the Missouri River Is.

The Missouri River is a crucial stopover for many migratory birds. It serves as a major habitat, allowing both waterfowls and shorebirds the opportunity to strum up some energy during their annual journeys.

Millions of feathered friends are hosted here when they go between their southern homes or more northern summer residences.

20. The Diverse Landscape of the Missouri River Includes Forests, Grasslands, and Wetlands.

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The Missouri River has an immense amount of ecological diversity to offer. From vast forests reaching the distant horizon to grasslands embraced by a cool afternoon breeze and lush wetlands where native life flourishes, this majestic river truly has something special along its shore sides.

It boasts a soaring canopy of trees that provide shelter and comfort to animals, large and small. Its extensive grasslands will surely delight any explorer with its sights of glowing meadows gently touched by the sun beaming through their thick blanket of undisturbed wilds.

21. Important Transportation Route for Early European Colonizers, the Missouri River Was.

European settlers and explorers during the early years of our country recognized the potential of the Missouri River as a transportation route. Much like a roadway in many respects, they used it to transport goods and supplies to regions on the western fringes of civilization.

22. A Symbol of American Heritage, the Missouri River Is.

The Missouri River stands as a symbol of the United States’ growth and expansion, from the early days of exploration to its modern-day significance.

It represents the connection between nature and human endeavor, shaping the history and culture of the nation. 

23. In 1978, Alan Captain America Jones swam 112 miles of the Missouri River handcuffed.

In 1978, a retired Marine Corps captain named Alan Jones, who was nicknamed Captain America, took on a challenging feat. He swam 112 miles across the Missouri River from Sioux City, Iowa, to Omaha, Nebraska, while being handcuffed to add to the difficulty.

The goal of his swim was to prepare for another swim down the Ohio River and to push his limits for future challenges, such as a planned swim across the Atlantic Ocean. During his swim, he encountered various wildlife and battled treacherous whirlpools. It took him a day and a half to complete this incredible feat.

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