Aerial Photography 

Maps of the Missouri National Recreational River 

Gavins Point Dam, South Dakota to Ponca State Park, Nebraska 

September 2004 

+ ... " ...... -- - .-- ........ " ... ... 

- ,,---- 0 , ___ .•••• . --___ ... ---_ •• ~ ___ ••••. ____ •• LO 

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US Army Corps 

of Engineers ® 

Omaha District 
Table of Contents 

Bald Eagle 

While many bald 

area during the 

these rapmrs may 

year in the 

August 251 

", .. Set out to \ 

the Inds Gi11C . 

Spirits is dun 

this mound .. " 

t mv;de fu nhe, ;nstcuct;ons. 

a Boat Ramp Coordinates 

oat Ram Name Latitude 

olton 42° 39' 58" 

f-8' 

\. :J 

6 7' B 

T ,/rb 

1 \'tOZJ OOT-D"J I http:// www. nps.gov/ mnrr 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineer 

Gavins Point Proj ect 

P.O. Box 710 

Welcome 

• A c"Omprch"n,;',., ex~mi"a ion of the Missouri Ri,,,. addressil1g topics such as " 

.. ,irs grograph ica\ char~c~ris{iC.'l . 

.. . the rc-~sons (o r p...,.",,,il1g its """"rees, 

.. ,irs appearance during Lewis and Clark's "pk jOlln,C')'. 

Threatened and Endangered Species • An iliustrMive guide on the arca's rh",aten"d and endal1gercd specie,; ourlinil1g". 

.. ,the need (or the Endan~",,,,d Species Act of 1973. 

."ways of protecting .pecies fOund along the Missouri Ri,,,r . 

... the countless reasons and incenti"es for ",,"il1g endange",d species. 

Historical Information 

.A historiC"~1 o\"er"i~'w of the Lewis and Clark Expedition providing specifies on ... 

. .. the ~ ... "nt:,; that led up to the f~med Expedition . 

... the conditions as descril>ed in the journals of William Clar\:. 

.. . the Missouri Ri",r and the Lev,'is & Clark Bicentennial CommemorMion. 

General and Safety Information - An ~tensiw list of ,,',,neral information and safe!)' pm:autions offering tips on .. 

.. . respeering the' reSOmce. 

.. . ,,,·imming. OOating. and ",mping. 

.. . re"ding and na"ig;oting the' Missomi Riwr. 

Sheet Index • An iliustrMi"e map indexing the following sections of the Recreational Ri",r ... 

... Ri"er Miles 810 to 792 : Shm / . 6. 

.. . Ri"er Miles 792 to 774: Shm 7 · // . 

... Ri"er Miles 773 to 752 : Shul 11 · /7 . 

Aerial Photography and Maps -A collection of maps covering the following sections of th" Re'Creational River. .. 

.. . Lake Yankton to St. Hden;l Island: Sheer 1 · 6 . 

.. . St. Hden;l Island to Mull>erry Iknd: She.r 7 · 11 . 

.. . V"nnillion River to Ponca Stat" I'drk: Sheff 12 · 17. 

Biological Overview • A brief glimpse into the arca's vast biMi",,,i!)' pro" iding a wriety of ima~",s on ... 

... Mammals such as the Red Fox and Coo,"Ote . 

.. . Birds such as the Sc"rler Tanager and Great Blue Heron . 

... r~irie Plant:,; such as the Prairie Larkspur and Purple Pmirie CIO\"r. 

Contacts 

-A directory for indi"iduals requiring further information listing contacts such a.i .. 

.. . th" Q,"'ins fui m Project - U.S. Army Corps of Engill~~rs . 

.. . th,' Missouri Natioll"1 <'Cr~ational River - National I'drk S,·":i,,,. 

.. . th" Missouri River Information C"","r' U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

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Welcome Page 02 

Welcome to Missouri National Recreational River, specifically the 59-mile reach between South Dakota's Gavins Point 

Dam and Nebraska's Ponca State Park. This is one of the last natural segments of the unchanneli zed Missouri River, 

an environment that is rare on the G reat Plains. Gavins Point Dam ma rks the sta rt of this stretch of the rive r that 

meanders in the old, wider fiver valley. Below the Yankton Narrows, the river valley opens into a vast floodplain that 

can be as much as \0 miles wide. 

Prior to the closure of Gavins Point Dam in 1954, the water flows past Yankton exceeded 450,000 cubic feet per 

second (Cf5), That amount is equal to nearly 202 million gallons per minute. Such an enormous flow into this floodplain has resulted in miles of submerged bottomland. Since the closure of the dam, maximum water flow has averaged 

40,000 cfs (nearly 18 million gallons per minute). This control of water flows has resulted in a grea tly altered flow 

pattern . Sedimentation and riverbed degradation have caused a qui ckly changing river eco-system that is attempting 

to find a new balance. 

If the Lewis and Cla rk Expedition were to visit the Missouri River today, only these 59 miles of the river would be 

recognizable as the once free.flowi ng river they encountered . Along this reach of river, Lewis and C lark discovered 

many plant and animal species including buffaloberry and the western meadowlark. 

Congress added th is 59-mile reach to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1978 because of its significant 

natural, recreational, histo rical and cultural qualities. Preservation of these resources is imperative. Natu ral sandbars, 

backwate rs, eddies and islands still exist today, and old forest cottonwoods provide wildlife habitat. Endange red and 

th reatened species, such as rhe interior least tern, piping plover, pallid sturgeon and the bald eagle utilize th is eco-system. 

This segment of the river forms a natural boundary between Nebraska and South Dakota. Riverbanks va ry from rel atively 

flat, sandy beach areas to vertical faces 10 to 20 feet high . The river varies from a slow meandering stream to a braided 

channel of criss-crossing streams. Floodplain width between banks averages some 2,000 feet, athough it va ries from 

600 feet to more than a mile in some locations. Primary channel depths vary considerably from seve ral inches to 20 feet. 

Natural features along the 59-mile reach include wooded Nebraska bluffs amid views of wide expanses of wate r with 

sandbars and steep or gentle rive rbanks. Two large, high.bank isla nds Games River Island and Goat Island) are covered 

with rare dense stands of cottonwood and dogwood . Also rare are the 300-400 foot.high Nebraska bluffs. Due to the 

river's action, some of the bluffs have eroded into sheer cliffs, which are cl ea rly shown in brown, yellow, and gray 

ho rizontal layers of topsoil and subsoil. 

This 59-mile reach has retained an historic landscape similar to that expe rienced by travelers over the centu ries and 

captured in the writings and illustrations of ea rly explorers like Lewis and Cla rk, Karl Bodmer and John James Audubon. 

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System strives to preserve and protect this precious resource for many mo re 

centuri es. 
Threatened and Endangered Species Page 03 

The Missouri National Recreational River area is home to a number of threatened and endangered species that are 

protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. What is the Endange red Species Act and why is it needed? When 

Congress authorized the Endangered Species Act they declared that species of "fish, wildlife, and plants are of aesthetic, 

ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific value to the Nation and its people," The purpose of the 

Act is to provide a means whereby endangered species and their ecosystems may be conserved. The intent of the 

Endangered Species Act is not to just list species as endangered or threatened, but rather, to recover the population of 

these species to a point where they can be removed from the list. The U.s. Fish and Wildlife Service administers the law 

for all inland species and certain marine species. 

What are endangered species? 

The Endangered Species Act states that the Secreta ry of Interior shall dete rmine species as endange red or threatened 

based on man-made factors affecting their continued existence. 

Endangered: Species listed as endangered are in danger of extinction thro ughout all or a significant portion of their range. 

Threatened: Species listed as threatened are species that are likely to become endange red within the foreseeable futu re. 

Why save endangered species? 

Many forms of plants and animals are used di rectly by humans. Medicines derived from plants have a commercial value. 

Scientists continue to find new plants for med icinal purposes. For exampl e, a tree called the Pacific yew, found in the 

northwestern United States, is known to have prope rries that will aid in some cancer rreatments. 

Since many species of plants and wildlife are mo re suscepri ble to changes in the environ ment, they will often show 

detrimental effects long before humans. For exampl e, byprod ucts in the pesticide DDT led to a dramatic decline in the 

numbers of bald eagles by causing a thinning in their eggshells. DDT increases in concentration (bioaccumulates) as it 

goes up rhe food chain. Since bald eagles are at the top of the food chain, they were grea tly affected by this pesticide. 

All organisms store valuable genetic material that once lost, is gone fo reve r. So, we ask yo u to recognize rhem, respect 

them, and protect their habitat. Please remember that ir is unlawful to kill, ha rm, o r ha rass endangered species. 

The following are threatened and endangered species that may be seen in the Missouri National Recreational River area: 

(Pallid SrurgL'On) 

Pallid Sturgeon (Endangered) 

The pallid sturgeon is a primitive bottom-dwelling fish whose body is covered with bony plates with sharp scutes 

stretching along its back. This unique fish can be identified by fou r ba rbels located at the front of the mouth. Of 

the four barbels, the outside ones are much longer than the inside barbels. If an angler catches any type of sturgeon, 

they must immediately release the fish back to rhe water. 
Threatened and Endangered Species 

(Bald Eagle) 

Piping Plover (Threatened) 

and 

Interior Least Tern (Endangered) 

The piping plover and interior least tern are 

summer residents that utili ze sand bars for 

nesting and raising theiT young. These small 

birds are extremely sensitive to the p resence 

of humans and even the small est distu rbance 

can easily threaten theiT survival. Therefore, 

during the nesting and brood-rea ring season, 

some sandbars and islands are posted with 

signs, which close these areas to humans. By 

recogn izi ng and avoiding these rare birds and 

theiT posted nesting areas, we can improve 

their chances of su rvival. 

Page 04 

Bald Eagle (Threatened) 

Whil e many bald eagles pass through the 

area du ring the spring and fa ll migra(ions, 

these rapta rs may be seen th roughout the 

yea r in the Misso uri National Recreational 

Rive r area . These maj estic bi rds tend nests 

and raise young th roughout the spring and 

summer at sites near the rive r as well as 

roost in cottonwoods along the river during 

the winter. Bald eagles are ve ry sensitive to 

human presence. Do not app roach an active 

nest as disturbance by humans may cause 

the eagle to abando n the nest. Disturbing 

an eagle in the winte r will cause it to waste 

val uable ene rgy reserves by forcing it to fly 

from the roost. To avoid disturbing eagles, 

do nOt get any close r than 300 ya rds unless 

in a vehicle o r blind. 

Photograph Far Le(t. C",dit: U.s. Fish and Wildlife 

(Piping Plover Nest) 

([ ntcrior Least Tern Ch ick :lnd Nest) 
, 

, 

The Missouri River 

and 

The Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemoration 

c watershed for the Missouri Rive r provides drainage for npproximarely onc-sixth of the 

United States. From the headwaters in Monmna to the mouth in Missouri, the "Big Muddy" 

flows through seven states. Its importance to the Americnn economy and its history is 

unparalleled. 

For over 200 yea rs, the United States Army has had very close ties to the Missouri Rive r. 

After all, Lewis, Clark and mOSt othe r explorers on the "Corps of Discovery" we re membe rs 

of the U.S. Army. Ove r the years, the Army has removed snags, protected banks, consnucted 

a navigation channel, built flood control levees, established fishe ries, preserved cultural 

resources, enhanced recreation, built dams, and developed wildlife habitats. The Army's 

relationship to the Missouri continues through tOday as the Corps of Enginee rs is the primary 

steward of the wate r and land along the most famous wate rway in Ame rica. 

Beginning in 2003 and continuing through 2006, the Corps of Engineers will be participating 

with the National Lewis and Cla rk Bicentennial Council, Native Ame rican Tribes and othe r 

Federal, State, and local governments in the Bicentennial Commemoration of the famed Lewis 

and Cla rk Expedition. The Corps of Enginee rs wants you to enjoy the commemoration and has 

assembled the following maps to assist in you r travels along the Missouri River. Whether 

traveling by car along the Lewis and Clark National HistOric Trail or by boat on the Missou ri 

River, the Corps of Engineers hopes that you expe rience some of the same feeling of discove ry 

that Lewis and Clark did 200 years ago. 

About the Expedition 

e o rigin of this greatest of Ame rican adventures was a product of the visionary intellect of 

President Thomas Jeffe rson . Even before Jeffe rson learned of the purchase of the Louisiana 

TerritOry from France, he had already arranged to send a contingent out to explore this new 

Ianel. Jefferson gave command of the expedition to the United States Army. 

With Jefferson's instructions, Captain Me riwether Lewis began what was destined to be the 

mOSt significant exploration of (he Ame rican West. Lewis' journey began in (he summe r of 

1803 when he left Washington, D.C. afte r completing months of preparation and specialized 

training in medicine, botany, and navigation. His first stOp was Pittsbu rgh, Pennsylvania, to 

obtain the custom designed 55' keelboat. Then, with a limited crew, he proceeded down the 

Ohio Rive r to present day Louisville, Kentucky, whe re his partner and co-captain, William 

Clark, joined him. The re the twO captains selected the initial enlisted members of the expedition 

before proceeding on to thei r first winter campsite at Camp Wood, Illinois, nea r St. Lo uis . 

... continued on the following page. 
, 

, 

, 

They eventually began their journey up the Missou ri Rive r nnd into the newly acqui red 

Louisiann Te rritory on May 14, 1804. For the next two and n half yen rs, the expedition 

tmveled the length of the Missouri River, crossed the Rocky nnd Bitterroot Mountains, nnd 

followed the Clenrwnte r, Snake, nnd Columbia Rive rs to the Pacific Occnn and back again . 

Along the way, expedition members kept detailed journals of their activities, collected 

specimens of discove ries, and cha rted their progress. They proceeded up against the Missou ri's 

current, rarely making more than 12 miles per day, to the Mandan Villages where they spent 

the winter of 1804-1805. The next spring they continued on, joined by French trapper 

Cha rbonneau and his young Shoshone wife Sacagawea. With her assistance they crossed the 

mountains and proceeded down the Columbia Rive r to the Pacific Ocean. After spending 

the winter of 1805-1806 on the coast, they ren aced thei r route, eventually returning to StLouis in late Septembe r of 1806. 

Collnesy of!he Corps of Engineers· Kansas Ci/)' Dis!Tic!; "Lewis & Clark Bicentennial: Lower Missouri Ril'er H

• 

The Journals 

The following exce rpts are mken from "The Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition"; Vol 2 & 3; 

Gary M. Moulton, editOr; Unive rsity of Nebmska Press 

Up the Missouri ... 

August 20th, Monday, 1804 (Clark) 

" ... Serj.' Floyd Died with a great deal 0/ Com/)Qsure, be/ore his death he said (0 me, 

"l am going away, l want (0 write me a lener"- We burried him on the (0/) 0/ the 

bluff Y2 Miles below a small rit;er (0 which we Gat;e his name, he was buried with the 

HOllOrs 0/ War mHch lamented ... This man at all times gat;e us proofs 0/ his firmness 

and Denmnilled resolHtion 10 doe Senlice 10 his COlin trey and honor 10 himself... " 

Floyd probably died of a ruptured nppendix - n condition not recognized 

by the medical community until 20 years nfter the expedition . In 1857 the 

Missou ri Rive r undercut the bluff and his grnve wns exposed . At that time, 

citizens of Sioux City moved the remnins to n new burinl site. In 1895 the 

remnins were ngnin examined, nnd in IYOl, n conc rete slnb nnd n onehundred-foot monument wns erected nt the site. 

August 21st, Tuesday, 1804 (Clark) 

• 

" ... on the right below J the /alls a Creek Coms in which /xlsses thro C/i/ts 0/ red rock which the 

lndians make pipes 0/, alld when the different nations Meet at tiwse queries all is piece ... " 

Trndition holds thnt the qun rries were neutral ground where nil tribes met in pence. 

o 
, 

• 

August 22nd, Wednesday, 1804 (Clark) 

" ... at three miles we landed at a Bluff where the two men Sent with the horses were waiting with two Deer, 

b)' examonarion of this (I) Bluff Contained alum, Copperas, Cobalt, Pyrites; a alllm rock Soft & Sand 

Swne. Capt. Lewis in protJeing dle quality of those minerals was near poisoning himself by the fumes & 

task of the Ca~alt which had rhe appearance of Soft !song/ass ... " 

Pyrite and marcasite are both ferro us sulfide minerals, although they have diffe rent crystal 

forms. Copperas is one name for the mineral mebmerite, a hydrous ferrous sulfate that resultS 

from the weathering of pyrite and marcasite. Clark's reference to Lewis's being poisoned by 

substances in this area is unclear, and the mineral is indeterminable. 

August 23rd, Thursday, 1804 (Clark) 

" ... The Wlind blew hard WIest and raised the Sands off th.e bar in Sitch Cloltds that we Coltld Scercely 

See this Sand being fine and {!etT)' light Stltck W ellery thing it Witched, and in the Plain for a half a 

mile tlte distance I was Oltt eVer)' Spire of Grass was covered with the Sand or Dltst. .. " 

August 24th, Friday, 1804 (Clark) 

" ... Capt Lewis and my Self Conclltded to visit a High 

Hill Situated in an emence Plain three Leagues N. 200 

W. from tlte moltth of \Vhite Swne river, this hill apear 

w be of a Conic form and by all the different Nations in 

this quater is Sltpposed w be a place of Deat1els or t/wt 

they are in lutman form with remarkable large heads and 

aboltt 18 inches high; that tltey are tlery watchfltll and 

ar armed with Sharp arrows with which they can kill at 

a great distance; they are said w kill all persons who are 

so hardy as w anemp w approach the hill; tile)' <Iuwe a> state that tradition informs them that ma{n}y 

indians have sl jffered b)' these little people and among or/lers t/wt three Ma/w men fell a sacrefice w tileir 

mltrceyless fltry not mean)' )'ears since- so mltch do tlte Mahas Soltix Onoes and other neibhbouring nations 

belictle this fable that no consideration is sufficient w indltce them to approach this hill. " 

The present name of this area is Spirit Mound, in Clay County, South Dakota. about eight 

miles north of Vermillion. 

August 25th, Saturday, 1806 (Clark) 

" ... Set out w Visit this mountain of etre/ Spirits ... One et,idence which 

the Inds Gitle for belietreing this /)/ace to be the residen::e of Some lIJl1tsia/ 

Spirits is that they frequently discotrer a large assemblage of Birds abollt 

this mound ... " 

/...ei!'is and Clark's S/Iiri[ Mound hy Ron Backer 
, 

, 

August 26th, Sunday, 1804 (Clark) 

" ... abot,c the mo;/th of this Creek a Chief of the Ma/w natawn displeased with the Conduct of Black bird the 

main Chief came to this place and built a Town whidt was called by his name Petite Ardt (or Linle Bow) 

this Town was at the foot of a Hi!! in a handsom Plain fronting rhe rit'ef and Contained about 100 huts 

& 200 men, the remains of this tribe Since the Death of Petite arch has joined the remaining part of the 

nation .. " 

August 27th, Monday, 1804 (Clark) 

" ... at 2 oClock passed the mOHth of RitieT Jacque, or Yeankton 

one Indian at the mOl/th of this rit'cr Swam 10 the Ihoguc, 

we landed and two others came to us, those /nds. informed 

(hat a Itlfgc Cam/) of SOlles, were all R. Jacque near the 

mouth. we Sent Serge Pryor & a Frenchman with Mr. 

Durioin the SOli is inlCrpeter to (he Cam/) with dereClions [0 

im·ite the Principal Chiefs [0 councel with us at a Bluff abot'e 

Called the CalltJnec .. " 

August 28th, Tuesday, 1804 (Clark) 

" ... Set out under a Stiff Breeze from Sand proceedd on I)asse a Willow Island at two miles Set·eral Sand bars 

the ritlCf here is wide & Shallow full of Sand bars ... " 

August 29th, Wednesday, 1804 (Clark) 

" ... Sergc Pryor informs that when he a/)/)roached the Indian Camp they Came [0 meet the[m} Su/)/)oseing 

Cal) Lewis or my Self [0 be of the party intending to take 1/S in a roabe [0 their Cam/)- ftc ap/)roached the 

.. Camp \lIhich was hands1/m made of Buffalow Skins Painted different Colour. their Camps formed of a Conic 

fonn Containing about 12 or 15 /)ersons each and 40 in number, on the Rit'er Jacque of 100 yds wide & 

Dee/) Containing but little wood, They had a fat dog Cooked as a feest; for them, and a Snug a/nmt for 

them [0 lodge. " 

August 30th, Thursday, 1804 (Clark) 

" ... A Foggeie mOOling I am much engagd. after Brackfast 

we sent Mr. Doraun in a Ihog1/e [0 the other Side i'e' L S. 

for the Chiefs and (u!}arriers of the Soues. he retumed at 

10 oClock with the Chiefs, at 12 oclock / finished and we 

delivered a S/)eech [0 the Indians ex/)ressit'e of the wishes 

of our got'ernment and explaining of what would be good 

for themselt'es ... " 

o 
, 

• 

August 31st, Friday, 1804 (Clark) 

" ... all tile Chiefs Delit1ered a Speech agreeing to what we Said &. &. & beged which I answered from 

Ill)' notes. We made or gav a certificate to turo BratJe men the attendants of [he Great Chief g{lt'e them 

Some tobacco and prepared a Commission for Mr. Darion to make a peace with all the nations in rhe 

neighbourhood, Mahas, Porncases [Ponca}, Panie, WI/PS, Orwes and Missoltries- & to take to rhe 

President Some of [he Gr Chiefs of each nations who would accompany him ... " 

The following excerpts are taken from "The Jo urna ls of the Lewis & Clark Expedition"; Vol 8: 

Gary M. Moulton, editor; Unive rsity of Nebraska Press 

Down the Missouri ... 

September 2nd, Saturday, 1806 (Clark) 

" ... the wind still high and <ltrater TOugh we did not Set alit 

until near Sun Set we proceded to a Sand bar a Shon 

distance below the place we had Come too on account of 

the wind and Encamped on a Sand bar, the woods being 

the IUlrbor of the Musquetors and the pany without means 

of Screaning dumselt'es from dws tormenting insects. On 

the Sand bars the wing which generally blows moderately 

at night blows off those pests and we Sleep Soundly ... " 

September 3rd, Sunday, 1806 (Clark) 

Sandba r /Ji\"QIW C by Ron Bnckcr 

" ... the river much crowded with Sand bars, which are t'ery differently Situated from what they were when 

.. we went up ... II 

i.s and Clark EXPedi . \-.e~ l803 _ 1806 t

l OI) 

"The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri Ri11er, 

and such principal streams of it, as, by its course and 

communication widt the tmters of the Pacific Ocean, 

whether the Columbia, Oregan, Co/rado, or an)' other rit1er, 

may offer the most direct and practible water..::ommllnication 

across the continent, for tlte purposes of commerce." 

-Thomas Jeffe rson 
General and Safety Information Page 10 

File a Float Plan 

• Inform a friend or rclnthle where you are going, when and where you are departi ng and arriving. Your route and other 

pertinent information will enable someone to find you. We never plan on accidents but they do happen. Filing and 

adhering to a float plan will help if emergency personnel need to locate YOli . 

Wear Your Life Jackets 

• "Life jackets float .. . you don't." Life jackets save lives and are the most important piece of safety equipment in your 

boat. Make sure you know and follow the boating laws fo r you r state regarding life jackets. A snug fit ensures the life 

jacket will not come off if yo u accidentally fall into the wate r. Children's life jackets shou ld also fit prope rly and be 

rated for their weight. The U.S. Coast Guard label affixed to the life jacket will aid in selecting the proper size. Frayed 

or damaged life jackets should be replaced . 

Weather 

• Monitor the local weather forecast before you begin your journey and throughout your trip. In the Midwest, storms 

may eme rge ab ruptly. These storms are often accompanied by strong winds that can easily capsize a small craft. 

Lightning, heavy rains, or hail can turn a pleasant trip into a disaste r. Watch the sky and be awa re of your su rroundings 

fo r signs of inclement weathe r. Head for shore at the fi rst sign of seve re weather. 

Alcohol 

• The combination of boa ring and alcohol is illegal and can prove deadly. Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction time 

and decreases you r body'., ability to defend itselffrom hypothermia. If you reach fo r something to drink on a hot day, 

wate r is best. Have fun and avoid alcohol. 

Reading the Missouri River 

• The Missou ri River is deep in some areas, but dotted with sandbars and shallow spots elsewhere. Snags and floating 

deb ris also present hazards that may be difficult to see. Varying river levels can expose or subme rge haza rds within a 

short period of time. 

• Look for water areas with a slight ripple. This indicates sandbars, dikes o r possible hazards close to the su rface. Maps 

and charts may not nece5sarily show the location of sandbars that have shifted with the flow of the river. 

Stopping Your Boat 

• When stopping, make every attempt to turn your boat upstream into the current and cut the throttle to an idle. The 

throttle setting will va ry with the speed of the current. This will hold your boat steady in the water without drifting 

into obstacles. 

• If you ancho r in the rive r, always remember to use a bowline to minimize the risk of be ing swamped by water coming 

over the transom or back of the boat. A danforth anchor is recommended fo r river use since it will bite and hold 

securely on the bottom. The anchor line should be at least seven times as long as the depth of the water in which the 

boat is moored. 

• Never attempt to moor to stationary objects such as dikes and moored barges and never approach these objects from 

upstream. Swift water flowing aro und these objects creates very strong turbulence and undertow currents that may 

overturn you r boat and pull you under. 

Swimming/Tubing 

• Swimming and tubing on the Missouri is extremely dangerous and is strongly discouraged. A river current no rmally 

6-8 mph can quickly exhaust even the strongest swimme r. Inner tubes should never be used on the river. There is no 

way to control them in the current and they pose problems with boats, especia lly on holidays and weekends when 

recreational traffic peaks. 
General and Safety Information Page 11 

Camping 

• Camping along the Missouri Ri ver should be limited to developed recreation areas. These developed areas have 

been improved with a va riety of camping amenities. The Missouri National Recreational River preservation is a major 

concern, and it is our responsibility to protect this ecosystem from human impacts. Human activity will affect the 

many threatened or endangered species that inhabit this area. Camp and enjoy ollr many developed campgrounds. 

• L'l.nd ownership is also a conce rn. Private landowners in the State of South Dakota and/or State of Nebraska, may 

own shoreline, sandba rs and islands. Plan ahead and be kn owledgeable of land ownership. 

Shoreline Ownership 

• In Neb raska, only the water belongs to the state. The streambed (the land beneath the wate r) and all adjacent lands 

are property of the landowner through which the wate r flows. In South Dakota, most of the land adjacent to the 

river is private property. On other than public land, landowne r pe rmission is needed to be on the land. 

Litter 

• Please remove all trash and litter and deposi t it into its proper receptacle. The National Park Service encourages 

that you "Leave No Trace" so othe rs can enjoy the river expe rience as well. Litter is unsightly and damages the 

environment. 

Respect the Resource 

• The opportunity and freedom to travel the Missou ri River is a privilege. Pl ease make eve ry effo rt to protect the wildlife 

and cultural resources along the river. Destroying the vegetation along the river is unsightly and dimin ishes wildlife 

habitat. Show respect for landowners along the river. If everyone practices these simple tips, the river environment 

will last indefinitely. 

Other Important Items 

• Remember to ca rry the safety items requi red by fede ral and state law, especially a life jacket. 

• There are no fuel stations on this section of river. Plan ahead to avoid probl ems. 

• Ca rry a cell phone o r 2-way radio in case of an emergency, but expect dead spots. 

• Have emergency phone numbers handy. 

• If you bring a pet with you, keep it restrained. 

• Stay clear of anglers along the shore. 

• Keep noise to a minimum. 

• Be prepared fo r sun exposu re by wea ring protective clothing or having appropria te sun block. 

• Watch for biting insects and poisonous plants and snakes. 

• Ca rry foul weather gea r for unex pected storms. 

• Before launching, check yo ur boat fo r exotic species (Le., zebra mussel, Eurasian wate rmilfoil). Signs at la unch ramps 

provide further instructions. 

Area Boat Ramp Coordinates 

Boat Hamil Name Latitude Longitude Boat Ramll Name Latitude Longitude 

Bolton 42' 39' 58" N 96°47' 12" W NE Tailwate rs 42° 50' 56" N 9r28'06" W 

Brooky Bottom 42' 45' 40" N 9r04' 55" W Ponca State Pa rk 42° 36' 10" N 96°42' 43" W 

Clay County 42' 45' 58" N 9rOO' 12" W Rive rside Park 42° 51 ' 59" N 9r23'04" W 

Mulberry Bend 42' 42' 53" N 96°56' 36" W St. Helena 42° 51 ' 03" N 9T16' II"W 

Myron Grove 42' 46' 20" N 9T07' 16" W Training Dike 42° 51' 01" N 97"27' 45"W 
SOUTH DAKOTA 

6 7 

Lewis and Clark Lake 

NEBRASKA 
MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

MILE 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

.......; Missouri National Recreational • .... River Boundary 

SHEET 1 OF 17 
MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

MILE 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

.......; Missouri National Recreational • .... River Boundary 

SHEET 2 OF 17 
MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

MILE 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

.......; Missouri National Recreational • .... River Boundary 

SHEET 3 OF 17 
MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

MILE 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

.......; Missouri National Recreational • .... River Boundary 

SHEET 4 OF 17 
LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

,'''\ i Missouri National Recreational 

;; ".> River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 5 OF 17 

MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

MILE 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 
MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

MILE 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

= 

LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

;"\: Missouri National Recreational : .. ,. River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 6 OF 17 
LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

k".... i Missouri National Recreational = .... River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 7 OF 17 

MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

Mi l E 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

= 
LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

k".... i Missouri National Recreational = .... River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 8 OF 17 

MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

Mi l E 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

= 
LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

k".... i Missouri National Recreational = .... River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 9 OF 17 

MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

Mi l E 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

= 
LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

k".... i Missouri National Recreational = .... River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 10 OF 17 

MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

Mi l E 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

= 
LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

k".... i Missouri National Recreational = .... River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 11 OF 17 

MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

Mi l E 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

= 
LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

k".... i Missouri National Recreational = .... River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 12 OF 17 

MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

Mi l E 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

= 
LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

k".... i Missouri National Recreational = .... River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 13 OF 17 

MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

Mi l E 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

= 
LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

k".... i Missouri National Recreational = .... River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 14 OF 17 

MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

Mi l E 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

= 
LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

k".... i Missouri National Recreational = .... River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 15 OF 17 

MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

Mi l E 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

= 
LEGEND 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

k".... i Missouri National Recreational = .... River Boundary 

Parks 

SHEET 16 OF 17 

MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

Mi l E 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

ORTHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

= 

< .-
MISSOURI RIVER 

GAVINS POINT DAM 

TO PONCA, NEBRASKA 

MILE 810 TO 752 

U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

OMAHA DISTRICT 

OPERATIONS/REGULATORY GIS UNIT 

OATHOPHOTO DATE: OCTOBER, 2001 

SCALE IN FEET 

o 1000 2000 

• River Miles 

Boat Ramps 

"'~ •• : Missouri National Recreational ~ '.' River Boundary 

P"k, 

SHEET 17 OF 17 
Biological Overview 

(Phlox divaricata) Dutchman's Breeches 

(Dicentra cucullaria) 

Nonhern Hackberry 

(Celtis occidenralis) 

Narrowleaf Purple Coneflower 

(Echinacea angustifolia) 

aiTie Planu 

(Srrix varia) 

Canada Goose 

(Branra canadensis) 

Trees 

White-Tailed Deer 

Virginia Opossum 

Widelphis virginiana) 

Prairie Larkspur 

(Delphinium carolinianum) 

Purple Prairie Clover 

(Da!ea purpurea) 

Bur Oak 

Page 30 

An",,;'· ,n Gold finch 

(Carduelis [fist is) 

Common Raccoon 

(ProCJon Iofor) 
Notes Page 31 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 
Notes Page 32 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 
Contacts 

For Additional Information Contact: 

Missou ri National Recreational Rive r 

P.O. Box 666 

Yankron, SD 57078 

(402) 667·2550 

http://w\v\,,,,nps.gov/mnrr 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Gavins Point Project 

P.O. Box 710 

Yankton, SD 57078 

(402) 667·7873 

http://w\ ... \ .... nwo.usace.a rmy.mil/htmI/Ltke_Proj/gavinspoint/welcome.html 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Missou ri Rive r Information Center 

P.O. Box 710 

Yankron, SD 57078 

1-866-285·3219 

http://www.nwo.usace.a rmy.mil/htmI/Ltke_Proj/infocenter.html 

Nebraska Game and Pa rks Commission 

2200 N. 33 rd Street 

P.O. Box 30370 

Lincoln, NE 68503 

(402) 471·0641 

hap:/ /www.ngpc.state.ne.us/ 

South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Pa rks 

523 E. Capital, Joe Foss Office Building. 

P;ecce, SD 57501 

(605) 773·3387 

http://w\ ... \ .... sdgfp.info/lndex.htm 

Page 33