River Features & History

River Characteristics & History

The Missouri River drains one-sixth of the United States and encompasses 529,350 square miles. It flows 2,341 miles from its headwaters at the confluence of the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers in the Rocky Mountains at Three Forks, Montana, to its confluence with the Mississippi River at St. Louis, Missouri. The once meandering river is channelized in the lower third and impounded by six dams in much of the upper.

The Missouri River long ago garnered the nickname the “Big Muddy,” inspired by the enormous loads of sediment it pushed through the river system. However, the amount of sediment transported has diminished as dams, levees, and channelization increased over time. Today, the river might be more accurately described as a gentle giant.

The Missouri River was the major water route to the Rocky Mountain west from the time of Lewis and Clark until the arrival of the railroads in the late 1800's. In addition to its colorful history, the area offers hunting, fishing, and floating opportunities. Fishermen may encounter some rare native species in the area, including prehistoric-looking paddlefish or the endangered pallid sturgeon among some 150 species of fish, both native and nonnative, within the entire Missouri River Basin.

Adapted from American Rivers and Visit MT

Images courtesy of American Rivers, Christopher Guy, and USFWS