U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Department of the Interior

Water-Resources Investigations Report 03–4211

Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics 

of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, 

Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

opography and Sedimentation Characteristics 

of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, 

Prepared in cooperation with the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics 

of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, 

Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

By David C. Heimann and Joseph M. Richards

Water-Resources Investigations Report 03–4211

Prepared in cooperation with the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Rolla, Missouri

2003
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GALE A. NORTON, Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

CHARLES G. GROAT, Director

The use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement 

by the U.S. Geological Survey.

For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from:

District Chief U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Geological Survey, WRD Information Services

1400 Independence Road Box 25286, Building 810

Mail Stop 100 Denver Federal Center 

Rolla, Missouri 65401 Denver, CO 80225-0286
Contents iii

CONTENTS

Abstract.................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 2

 Purpose and Scope.................................................................................................................................................. 2

 Description of Study Area ...................................................................................................................................... 2

 Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................................. 4

Methods................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

 Topography ............................................................................................................................................................. 4

 Sedimentation Characteristics ................................................................................................................................ 6

 Soil Bulk Density and Mass ................................................................................................................................... 6

 Sediment Loads ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics .................................................................................................................... 10

 Topography ............................................................................................................................................................. 10

 Sedimentation Characteristics ................................................................................................................................ 10

 Sediment Deposition, 1937 to 1964 ........................................................................................................ 15

 Sediment Deposition, 1964 to 2002 ........................................................................................................ 16

 Sediment Deposition, 1937 to 2002 ........................................................................................................ 21

 Sediment Volume and Mass .................................................................................................................... 21

 Pool Elevation-Area and Elevation-Capacity Data.................................................................................. 22

 Squaw Creek and Davis Creek Sediment Loads .................................................................................................... 22

Summary and Conclusions.................................................................................................................................................... 31

References Cited.................................................................................................................................................................... 32
iv Contents

FIGURES

1.– 8. Maps showing:

1. Location of study area............................................................................................................................. 3

2. Comparison of current (2003) and original pool names in the Squaw Creek National Wildlife 

Refuge and the 2002 surveyed area ........................................................................................................ 7

3. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge topography, 1937..................................................................... 11

4. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge topography, 1964..................................................................... 12

5. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge topography, 2002..................................................................... 13

6. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge differential sediment thickness, 1937 to 1964......................... 17

7. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge differential sediment thickness, 1964 to 2002......................... 19

8. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge differential sediment thickness, 1937 to 2002......................... 23

9.–12. Graphs showing:

9. Elevation-area and elevation-capacity data for Mallard North and Mallard South at the Squaw

Creek National Wildlife Refuge.............................................................................................................. 28

10. Elevation-area and elevation-capacity data for North pool at the Squaw Creek National

Wildlife Refuge ....................................................................................................................................... 29

11. Elevation-area and elevation-capacity data for Snowgoose, Northeast Main, Northwest Main, 

Cattail Complex/Moist Soil Units, Eagle North, Eagle South, and Pelican pools at the Squaw 

Creek National Wildlife Refuge.............................................................................................................. 30

12. Mean annual flow at Big Nemaha River at Falls City, Nebraska (streamflow gaging station 

06815000), 1944 to 2002 ........................................................................................................................ 30

TABLES

1. Survey bench marks used in 2002 sedimentation survey at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge ................. 5

2. Summary of Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge pool volume, mass, area, and mean sediment

deposition ............................................................................................................................................................. 8

3. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge soil sample characteristics.................................................................... 25

4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected

Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge pools ..................................................................................................... 35

HORIZONTAL DATUM

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83). NAD 83 can be 

converted to the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27) by using the National Geodetic Survey conversion utility 

available at URL http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/TOOLS/Nadcon/Nadcon.html.

VERTICAL DATUM

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) unless otherwise 

specified. Elevation, as used in this report, refers to distance above or below NAVD 88. NAVD 88 can be converted to the 

National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29) by using the National Geodetic Survey conversion utility available

at URL http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/TOOLS/Vertcon/vertcon.html.
Abstract 1

Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the 

Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, 

Missouri, 1937–2002

By David C. Heimann and Joseph M. Richards

Abstract

The Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge 

(hereafter referred to as the Refuge), located on the 

Missouri River floodplain in northwest Missouri, 

was established in 1935 to provide habitat for 

migratory birds and wildlife. Results of 1937 and 

1964 topographic surveys indicate that sedimentation, primarily from Squaw Creek and Davis 

Creek inflows, had substantially reduced Refuge 

pool volumes and depths. A study was undertaken 

by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to quantify and 

spatially analyze historic rates of sedimentation in 

the Refuge and determine the surface elevations, 

depths, and pool capacities for selected managed 

pools from a 2002 survey.

The 1937 to 1964 mean total sediment deposition, in the area corresponding to the 2002 surveyed pool area (about 4,900 acres), was 1.26 ft 

(feet), or 0.047 ft/yr (foot per year). Mean annual 

rates of deposition, by pool, from 1937 to 1964 

varied from 0.016 to 0.083 ft/yr. From 1964 to 

2002, the mean total sediment deposition in the 

2002 surveyed pools was 0.753 ft, or 0.020 ft/yr. 

Therefore, the mean rate of sediment-depth accumulation from 1964 to 2002 was about 42 percent 

of the mean 1937 to 1964 rate, or a 58 percent 

reduction. Mean annual rates of deposition by pool 

from 1964 to 2002 varied from 0.010 to 0.049 

ft/yr. Despite a substantial reduction in the average 

sediment accumulation rate for the Refuge, 5 of 

the 15 separate pools for which annual rates were 

calculated for both periods showed a small 

increase in the deposition rates of up to 0.008 ft/yr.

 Sediment deposits have resulted in a substantial cumulative loss of volume in the Refuge 

pools since 1937. The 1937 to 2002 total sediment 

volume deposited in the 2002 surveyed pool area 

was about 9,900 acre-ft (acre-feet), or 152 acreft/yr (acre-feet per year). The volume of sediment 

deposited from 1937 to 1964 for these pools was 

about 6,200 acre-ft, or 230 acre-ft/yr. The volume 

deposited from 1964 to 2002 was about 3,700 

acre-ft, or 97.3 acre-ft/yr.

Bulk density values were determined from 

sediment cores collected from 22 sites in the Refuge and the bulk densities, along with sediment 

volumes, allowed for the calculation of sediment 

mass contributions to the Refuge. From 1937 to 

2002, about 10,300,000 tons of sediment were 

deposited in the 2002 surveyed area, or 32.4 

tons/acre/yr (tons per acre per year). The total 

computed mass of sediment deposited between 

1937 and 1964 was about 6,510,000 tons, or an 

average of 49.1 tons/acre/yr. The total mass deposited from 1964 to 2002 in surveyed pools was 

about 3,830,000 tons, or an average of 20.5 

tons/acre/yr. As with sediment thickness comparisons, the rate of sediment mass deposition between 

1964 to 2002 was about 42 percent of that from 

1937 to 1964, or a 58 percent reduction.

The greatest amounts of sediment deposition 

in the Refuge for 1937 to 2002 have been near the 
2 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

Squaw Creek and Davis Creek inflow spillway 

locations. Sediment depths in some areas near 

former inflow locations have exceeded 8 ft. Relocation of an inflow spillway effectively reduced 

additional sediment deposition at the original location, and caused increased sedimentation at the 

new inflow location. This is most clearly depicted 

in a pool located in the north section of the Refuge 

that directly received Squaw Creek inflows from 

1937 to 1964 and had a mean deposition rate of 

0.081 ft/yr reduced to 0.012 ft/yr, from 1964 to 

2002, after inflows were redirected and erosionmanagement plans were implemented in the contributing basins.

INTRODUCTION

Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (hereafter referred to as the Refuge) occupies 7,350 acres on 

the Missouri River floodplain and neighboring bluffs in 

Holt County, Missouri. Established in 1935 from 

acquired farmland, the Refuge is managed for the primary purpose of providing habitat for migratory birds 

and wildlife. Several constructed pools in the Refuge 

form and maintain critical marsh and wet-prairie habitat for hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, and mammals including the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus 

leucocephalus) and the State endangered eastern Massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus). A nearly 

1,000-acre wet prairie located on the Refuge represents 

one of the largest wet prairies remaining in the State. 

The Refuge also attracts some 128,000 visitors annually for viewing wildlife, hiking, and other forms of 

recreation.

Bordering the Refuge are highly erosive loessal 

(wind-deposited silt) bluffs through which Squaw 

Creek and Davis Creek flow before draining into the 

Missouri River. Water from these streams is used to 

flood Refuge pools for waterfowl. Historically, agricultural land use in the basins of these streams has resulted 

in the transport of high sediment loads into the Refuge. 

Sediment deposited from these streams has resulted in 

a reduction in Refuge pool volumes and depths, a loss 

of waterfowl habitat, and a reduced ability of managers 

to manipulate existing habitat conditions. A 1964 study 

comparing the then current topographic surface to a 

1937 survey documented “alarming” rates of sedimentation in areas of the Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, 1964). The changes in topography, sedimentation rates, and sedimentation distribution in the Refuge 

since the 1964 survey were unknown.

A study was undertaken by the U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (USFWS) to quantify the historic rates 

and spatial distribution of sedimentation on the Refuge 

and determine the 2002 surface elevations, depths, and 

capacities for selected managed pools. The results will 

aid the USFWS in the management of the Refuge pools 

and provide the USGS a better understanding of the 

rate and delivery mechanisms of sediment to the diminishing Missouri River wetlands.

Purpose and Scope

This report describes topography and sedimentation characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge. The current volume and area of selected 

pools, as well as land-surface changes from 1937 and 

1964 surveys, are presented along with graphical 

depictions of sedimentation in the Refuge. Average 

rates of sedimentation volume, thickness, and mass are 

computed for 1937 to 1964, 1964 to 2002, and 1937 to 

2002.

Description of Study Area

The Refuge is located on 11.5 mi2 (square miles; 

7,350 acres) in Holt County near Mound City, Missouri 

(fig. 1). The primary sources of water to the Refuge are 

Squaw Creek and Davis Creek with drainage areas of 

63 and 23 mi2, respectively. Continuous streamflow 

and suspended-sediment data were collected for Davis 

Creek near the point it enters the Refuge (station number 06815555) from January 2000 to September 2002, 

and for Squaw Creek (station number 06815575) from 

October 2000 through the current (2003) year.

The Squaw and Davis Creek drainages consist of 

soils in the Marshal-Exira-Shelby soil series association, which are silt loam/silty clay loams (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1997). Marshal, Exira, and Shelby 

soils are present on the slopes (greater than 7 percent) 

while minor soils in this association—Judson and 

Kenridge soil series—are present on the footslopes and 

floodplains. Soils in these associations are used for 

crops including corn, soybeans, and winter wheat. Erosion is the main management concern with all of these 

soils. Relief in the Squaw and Davis Creek Basins is 

about 232 ft (feet) from where the upper basin divides
Introduction 3

Mound City

Bigelow 118

113

159

29

Little Tarkio Creek

Squaw Creek

Davis Creek

Five-mile lane

Swope

Creek

x

x

x

x

x

x x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Approximately 10

miles to Nodaway

River near

Graham

06815575

06815000

06815555

06817700

Approximately 10 miles to Big Nemaha

River at Falls City, Nebraska

Y342

J337

USFW3

USFW2

USFW1

USGSBM9

NAPIER

USGSBM8

USGSBM7

USGSBM6 USGSBM5

USGSBM4

USGSBM3

USGSBM2

USGSBM1

SQ22

SQ2

SQ1

SQ3

SQ4

SQ5

SQ6

SQ7

SQ8

SQ9

SQ10

SQ11

SQ12

SQ13

SQ14

SQ15

SQ16

SQ17

SQ18

SQ19

SQ20

SQ21

0 1 2 MILES

0 1 2 KILOMETERS

HOLT

MISSOURI

Squaw Creek National

Wildlife Refuge

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1990

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 15

EXPLANATION

LEVEE/ROAD

SURVEY BENCH MARK AND

IDENTIFIER

SOIL SAMPLE AND IDENTIFIER

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GAGING

STATION AND NUMBER

USGSBM6 x

06815575

SQ

Approximately 5 miles

to the Missouri River

16' 14' 95°12'

04'

06'

40°08'

40°02'

95°18'
4 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

(1,096 ft) to the north Refuge boundary (about 864 ft). 

The 1971 to 2000 mean annual precipitation for Oregon, Missouri (located about 10 miles southeast of the 

Refuge) is 39.0 inches per year (National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 2002).

There were no formal erosion-control programs 

in place in Holt County before the establishment of the 

Holt County Soil and Water Conservation District in 

1974. The U.S. Department of Agriculture funded the 

construction of 21 floodwater retarding structures/sediment retention ponds in the Davis Creek Basin in the 

1960’s (Marilyn Roberts, Holt County Soil and Water 

Conservation District, oral commun., 2003). A Special 

Area Land Treatment (SALT) project was undertaken 

in the Davis Creek Basin in the 1990’s to work with 

landowners to reduce soil erosion from cropland, pasture, and woodlands. Currently (2003), the Squaw 

Creek Basin is in the second year of a 5-year Agriculture Non-Point Source (AGNPS) pollution management project to provide assistance to landowners in 

enhancing Squaw Creek water quality, including reducing sediment and nutrient transport. Historically, agricultural land use in the Squaw and Davis Creek Basins 

was more pasture than cropland. Today (2003), agricultural land use in the basins is more cropland than pasture (Marilyn Roberts, oral commun., 2003). While 

there is a greater portion of cropland in the basins, 

which has the potential to be more erosive than pasture, 

most landowners in the basins employ no-till farming 

in an effort to reduce erosion; this was not commonly 

practiced in previous decades. 

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Ron Bell, Squaw 

Creek National Wildlife Refuge Manager, and Rick 

Spear, Assistant Refuge manager, for their assistance 

during the course of this study. 

METHODS

Topographic data from 1937 and 1964 USFWS 

surveys were used with a 2002 USGS survey to determine changes in land-surface elevations in the Refuge. 

The topographic contour and point data were then used 

to build Geographic Information Systems (GIS) digital 

surfaces and used in the determination of sedimentation characteristics (depth, volume).

Topography

The 1937 and 1964 topographic information was 

obtained from historic USFWS surveys (U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 1964). There are no available data 

regarding the methodology of these surveys or the 

number of points used in the development of the maps, 

but it is likely that these maps were developed using a 

base line survey, a method described in Rausch and 

Heinemann (1968). With this method, point data would 

have been collected along selectively spaced survey 

cross sections perpendicular to an established base line 

oriented parallel to the Refuge. The contours would 

then have been developed by interpolating between the 

cross-sectional point data. For this report, the 1937 and 

1964 maps were digitized, and digital surfaces created, 

to compare these data with a 2002 topographic survey. 

Elevations for the 2002 survey were collected between 

January and April 2002, along pre-determined 660-ft 

cross-hatched gridlines, developed and oriented for 

each pool, and point data were collected approximately 

every 100 ft along the gridlines. Bench marks were 

established within the Refuge at selected locations (fig. 

1, table 1) and tied into established first-order horizontal and vertical survey markers near the Refuge. The 

vertical accuracy of the established USGS bench marks 

was plus or minus 0.06 ft, and the horizontal accuracy 

was plus or minus 0.02 ft.

Approximately 9,500 topographic points, consisting of a set of Universal Transverse Mercator 

(UTM) coordinates and an elevation, were collected 

between January and July 2002. The points were collected with a Global Positioning System (GPS), which 

consisted of a base unit established over a known bench 

mark and as many as two rover units that collected 

position information (coordinates and elevation) relative to the base unit. In this way, kinematic or “real 

time” survey points were collected without the need for 

post processing. The rovers were mounted on an all-terrain vehicle, a surveying rod (for hiking or boat work), 

or an automobile, and points were collected on a pre-set 

time interval of 20 to 30 seconds at a traveling speed of 

approximately 5 miles per hour. Comparisons were 

made at least once per day between established bench 

mark coordinates and the current daily corresponding 

bench mark reading to ensure proper operation of 

equipment and determine temporal errors in GPS elevation readings. The vertical errors, and, therefore, the 

topographic point data errors, were determined on 

average to be within plus or minus 0.06 ft. All 2002 survey data were collected in reference to the North Amer-
Methods 5

Table 1. Survey bench marks used in 2002 sedimentation survey at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge[All coordinates and elevations are referenced to the North American Vertical Datum 1988 (NAVD 88); UTM, Universal Transverse Mercator; USGS, U.S. Geological 

Wildlife Service]

Site

(fig. 1)

UTM coordinates

Latitude Longitude

Elevation, 

in meters

Elevation,

in 

U.S. 

Survey 

Northing Easting feet Descri

J337 308464.648 4434699.345 40 02’26.84322" N 95 14’42.35252" W 273.296 896.64 National Geodetic Survey—first order vY342 306457.502 4434883.673 40 02’31.16793" N 95 16’07.18522" W 258.487 848.05 National Geodetic Survey—first order vNAPIER 308622.174 4435326.458 40 02’47.29675" N 95 14’36.37659" W 341.287 1,119.71 National Geodetic Survey—first order h

USGSBM1 308102.919 4437705.353 40 04’03.97176" N 95 15’00.81070" W 261.507 857.96 USGS—temporary vertical and horizon

USGSBM2 308280.114 4440040.195 40 05’19.78876" N 95 14’55.82619" W 260.963 856.18 USGS—temporary vertical and horizon

USGSBM3 307955.753 4443577.967 40 07’14.18035" N 95 15’13.29766" W 262.222 860.31 USGS—temporary vertical and horizon

USGSBM4 309896.263 4441111.138 40 05’55.81720" N 95 13’48.76298" W 263.147 863.34 USGS—temporary vertical and horizon

USGSBM5 306715.767 4441677.766 40 06’11.57392" N 95 16’03.59812" W 263.97 866.04 USGS—temporary vertical and horizon

USGSBM6 307650.690 4441562.135 40 06’08.59742" N 95 15’24.01562" W 262.157 860.09 USGS—temporary vertical and horizon

USGSBM7 309176.856 4442639.603 40 06’44.76860" N 95 14’20.74901" W 265.928 872.47 USGS—temporary vertical and horizon

USGSBM8 306747.611 4441421.025 40 06’03.27945" N 95 16’01.97780" W 262.328 860.65 USGS—temporary vertical and horizon

USGSBM9 310145.037 4437842.026 40 04’10.06653" N 95 13’34.81009" W 289.049 948.32 USGS—temporary vertical and horizon

layed in sidewalk at Refuge headqua

USFW1 307541.821 4435996.552 40 03’08.12932" N 95 15’22.65192" W 262.628 861.64 USFW—vertical bench mark (brass tab

USFW2 306699.287 4438989.878 40 04’44.44766" N 95 16’01.40143" W 262.602 861.55 USFW—vertical bench mark (brass tab

USFW3 306711.173 4440591.850 40 05’36.37636" N 95 16’02.62319" W 263.627 864.92 USFW—vertical bench mark (brass tab
6 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

ican Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) horizontal datum, and 

the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 

88) vertical datum.

The number of topographic points collected during the 2002 survey probably exceeded the number of 

points collected during the 1937 and 1964 surveys; 

therefore, the accuracy of the 2002 survey was greater. 

Comparisons between the 2002 and historic topographic surveys will be limited by the detail available 

from the historic maps.

The 2002 survey data were collected from the 

floodplain part of the Refuge corresponding with the 

1937 and 1964 surveys, with the exception of the 

unsurveyed Moist soil unit pools, Cattail Complex, and 

Bluff pool (fig. 2). The 2002 surveyed area was about 

4,900 acres compared to a total of about 6,200 acres 

surveyed in 1937 and 1964 (table 2). The specified 

lower management priority of the unsurveyed areas, the 

smaller pool size, tree cover, and flooding conditions of 

these pools resulted in these areas being the least efficient to survey with the available resources. While 

some data points were collected at these sites, there was 

insufficient information with which to draw revised 

elevation contours.

Sedimentation Characteristics

Topographic contour maps of the Refuge and 

estimates of sediment thickness and volume information were generated using digital surfaces created from 

the 2002 survey data and existing maps. GIS software 

were used in the creation and comparisons of the digital 

maps. A digital representation of the 2002 Refuge 

topographic surface was generated from the 2002 survey data. This surface was edited using a combination 

of field observations, survey sketches, and aerial photographs to accurately depict the land surface features. 

Digital surfaces also were generated from pre-existing 

(1937 and 1964) topographic maps of the area (U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service, 1964). All of the digital surfaces were projected and transformed into a common 

horizontal and vertical datum (NAD 83, NAVD 88) for 

calculations of differential sediment thickness, sediment volume, and pool elevation-area and elevationcapacity data. Separate differential sediment thickness 

maps were generated by subtracting the 1937 topographic surface from the 1964 surface, the 1937 topographic surface from the 2002 surface, and the 1964 

topographic surface from the 2002 surface. The total 

sediment volume for a given pool was calculated by 

summing the volumes of the individual thickness intervals in the pool. Pool elevation-area and elevationcapacity relations were determined from the 2002 topographic digital surface using GIS techniques. The 

cumulative pool volumes were determined in 0.1 ft 

increments for each pool. The 1964 topographic surface was used to compute pool volumes where the 2002 

surface was not surveyed.

Soil Bulk Density and Mass

The sediment masses for 1937 to 1964 and 1964 

to 2002 were determined by multiplying the volume of 

deposition (from GIS calculations) by the bulk density 

of the soil. Soil samples were collected November 29, 

2002, and December 2, 2002, at 22 locations, including 

21 grid points regularly spaced at 3,281 ft [1,000 m 

(meters)], and one additional point (SQ22) located in 

an area of particularly high deposition (fig. 1). Samples 

were collected using a 2-inch diameter hand corer, and 

analyzed at the USGS laboratory in Lee’s Summit, 

Missouri, for bulk density and soil texture. Bulk density was determined by dividing the oven dry weight of 

the soil by the volume of the soil sample (Blake and 

Hartge, 1986). Complete soil cores were used in the 

analyses and oven drying was conducted at 105 °C 

(degrees Celsius) for at least 24 hours. Soil texture was 

determined by the hydrometer method as described in 

Gee and Bauder (1986). One or more samples were collected at each of the 22 sampling points for the 1937 to 

1964 and 1964 to 2002 deposition layers, with the 

exception of points 11, 16, 17, 20, and 21, in which 

only one deposition layer was identified to sample. The 

1937 to 1964 deposition layer was determined from the 

difference between the 1937 to 2002 and 1964 to 2002 

differential sediment thickness maps. Sediment mass 

was determined pool-by-pool using the calculated volume from the pool and bulk density sample values from 

the pool or selected bulk density values from the closest 

soil samples.

Sediment Loads

The sediment loads and yields from the Squaw 

and Davis Creek Basins were computed to determine 

the relative sediment contributions, and compare these 

contributions with deposition patterns in the Refuge. 

Streamflow and suspended-sediment concentration 

data collected at Squaw Creek (USGS streamflow gag-
Sediment Loads 7

ing station number 06815575) and Davis Creek (USGS 

streamflow gaging station number 06815555) streamflow gaging stations near Mound City, Missouri (fig. 1) 

were used to determine the relative sediment load and 

yield from these basins. Sediment samples were collected using an automatic point sampler, and manually 

sampled using a D-74 or DH-48 depth-integrated sampler at equal-width increments according to methods 

described in Edwards and Glysson (1999). Sediment 

samples were analyzed at the USGS sediment laboratory in Rolla, Missouri, according to methods 

described in Guy (1969). Periodic manual and automatic samples were collected concurrently to develop 

“box coefficients” or correction factors to adjust the 

point samples collected by automatic samplers to that 

of the more representative equal-width increment samples. Annual sediment loads and yields were computed 

for the 2001 and 2002 water year record using the 

USGS program Graphical Constituent Loading Analysis System (GCLAS) (McKallip and others, 2001).

40°04'

40°06'

95°18' 16' 14' 95°12'

0 1 2 MILES

0 1 2 KILOMETERS

Little

Davis Creek

Tarkio Cr

Swope

Cr

Squaw Creek

Mallard

North

Mallard

South

Pintail

North

A

East

Snowgoose

Northwest

Main

Cattail

Complex

Bluff

Moist

Soil

Units

Pintail

South

Northeast

Main

Eagle North

A

West

Pelican Eagle South

C

B

D

E

North

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1990

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 15

EXPLANATION

REFUGE POOL

Current name

Original name—Dashed line

represents approximate boundary. Data

from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1964)

SQUAW CREEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE

REFUGE AREA SURVEYED IN 2002

LEVEE/ROAD

Figure 2. Comparison of current (2003) and original pool names in the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge and the

2002 surveyed area.

North

Northeast

Squaw Creek National

Wildlife Refuge

Northwest

Northeast

Main West

Bluff
8 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002 Table 2. Summary of Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge pool volume, mass, area, and mean sediment deposition [acre-ft, acre-foot; acre-ft/yr, acre-foot per year; lbs/ft3, pounds per cubic foot; na, not available; tons/acre, tons per acre; tons/yr, tons per year; tons/acre/yr, tons per acre per year; ft, feet; ft/y

Area and sediment deposition characteristics Mallard North Mallard South North Pintail Snow- goose A West Snow- goose A East Snow- goose 

B

Snowgoose 

C

Snowgoose 

D

Snowgoose 

E

Eagle 

South

Eagle 

North

Northeast 

Main

Northwest 

Main Pelican 

Area, in acres 327 172 1,150 208 29.9 37.8 30.5 71.9 34.6 36.8 1,070 431 356 408 554 

1937–1964 volume, in acre-ft 737 318 2,490 196 33.5 16.4 31.6 68.1 53.8 42.8 662 292 323 189 744 1937–1964 mean annual 

volume, in acre-ft/yr

27.3 11.8 92.3 7.2 1.2 .6 1.2 2.5 2.0 1.6 24.5 10.8 12.0 7.0 27.6 

1937–1964 bulk density, 

in lbs/ft3

58.1 58.1 45.6 58.1 58.1 58.1 58.1 58.1 58.1 58.1 30.0 49.3 49.3 49.3 52.4 

1937–1964 mass, 

in thousands of tons

932 402 2,470 248 42.3 20.8 40.0 86.1 68.0 54.1 432 314 347 203 850 

1937–1964 mass, in tons/acre 2,850 2,340 2,160 1,190 1,420 548 1,310 1,200 1,970 1,470 404 727 975 497 1,530 11937–1964 mean annual mass, 

in thousands of tons/yr

34.5 14.9 91.6 9.16 1.57 .77 1.48 3.19 2.52 2.00 16.0 11.6 12.9 7.52 31.5 

1937–1964 mean annual mass, 

in tons/acre/yr

106 86.5 79.9 44.0 52.5 20.3 48.6 44.4 72.8 54.5 15.0 26.9 36.1 18.4 56.8 

1937–1964 mean deposition, 

in ft

2.25 1.85 2.18 .941 1.12 .434 1.04 .948 1.56 1.16 .618 .677 .908 .463 1.34 

1937–1964 mean annual 

deposition, in ft/yr

.083 .068 .081 .035 .041 .016 .038 .035 .058 .043 .023 .025 .034 .017 .050 

1964–2002 volume, in acre-ft 556 270 543 301 55.3 28.6 45.4 56.2 61.6 53.5 688 477 137 210 217 1964–2002 mean annual 

volume, in acre-ft/yr

20.6 10.0 20.1 11.1 2.00 1.10 1.70 2.10 2.30 2.00 25.5 17.7 5.10 7.80 8.00 

1964–2002 bulk density, 

in lbs/ft3

51.8 51.8 60.5 51.8 51.8 51.8 51.8 51.8 51.8 51.8 29.3 49.9 49.9 49.9 36.2 

1964–2002 mass, 

in thousands of tons

628 304 716 340 62.4 32.2 51.2 63.4 69.5 60.3 440 519 149 228 171 

1964–2002 mass, in tons/acre 1,920 1,770 625 1,630 2,090 852 1,680 882 2,010 1,640 410 1,200 419 558 308 1964–2002 mean annual mass, 

in thousands of tons/yr

16.5 8.00 18.8 8.93 1.64 .85 1.35 1.67 1.83 1.59 11.6 13.6 3.93 6.00 4.50 

1964–2002 mean annual mass, 

in tons/acre/yr

50.5 46.5 16.4 42.9 55.0 22.4 44.2 23.2 52.9 43.2 10.8 31.7 11.0 14.7 8.12 

1964–2002 mean deposition, 

in ft

1.70 1.57 .474 1.45 1.85 .755 1.49 .782 1.78 1.45 .642 1.11 .385 .513 .391 

1964–2002 mean annual 

deposition, in ft/yr

.045 .041 .012 .038 .049 .020 .039 .021 .047 .038 .017 .029 .010 .014 .010 
Sediment Loads 9

1937–2002 volume, in acre-ft 1,290 587 3,040 497 88.8 45.0 77.0 124 115 96.3 1,350 769 460 398 961 1937–2002 mean annual 

volume, in acre-ft/yr

47.9 21.7 112 18.4 3.30 1.70 2.90 4.60 4.30 3.60 50.0 28.5 17.1 14.8 35.6 

1937–2002 mass, 

in thousands of tons

1,560 706 3,190 587 105 53.0 91.2 150 138 114 872 832 496 431 1,020 

1937–2002 mass, in tons/acre 4,770 4,100 2,780 2,820 3,510 1,400 2,990 2,080 3,980 3,110 814 1,930 1,400 1,060 1,840 1937–2002 mean annual mass, 

in thousands of tons/yr

24.0 10.9 49.1 9.03 1.61 .82 1.40 2.30 2.12 1.76 13.4 12.8 7.64 6.63 15.7 

1937–2002 mean annual mass, 

in tons/acre/yr

73.4 63.1 42.8 43.4 53.9 21.5 46.0 32.0 61.2 47.9 12.5 29.7 21.5 16.2 28.3 

1937–2002 mean deposition, 

in ft

3.96 3.41 2.65 2.39 2.97 1.19 2.53 1.73 3.34 2.62 1.26 1.78 1.29 .976 1.73 

1937–2002 mean annual 

deposition, in ft/yr

.061 .053 .041 .037 .046 .018 .039 .027 .051 .040 .019 .027 .020 .015 .027 

Table 2. Summary of Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge pool volume, mass, area, and mean sediment deposition—Continued[acre-ft, acre-foot; acre-ft/yr, acre-foot per year; lbs/ft3, pounds per cubic foot; na, not available; tons/acre, tons per acre; tons/yr, tons per year; tons/acre/yr, tons per acre per year; ft, feet; ft/y

Area and sediment 

deposition 

characteristics

Mallard 

North

Mallard 

South North Pintail

Snowgoose A 

West

Snowgoose A 

East

Snowgoose 

B

Snowgoose 

C

Snowgoose 

D

Snowgoose 

E

Eagle 

South

Eagle 

North

Northeast 

Main

Northwest 

Main Pelican 
10 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

TOPOGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTATION 

CHARACTERISTICS

Topography

The Refuge lies near the floodplain/upland edge 

of the Missouri River floodplain and has a topographic 

gradient running generally from the northeast corner of 

the Refuge toward the southwest corner. The elevation 

range over the Refuge pools in 1937 was 20 ft with a 

maximum of 865 ft at the northeast corner of North 

pool [fig. 3; Note current Refuge pool names will be 

used throughout this report. The original pool names 

identified in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1964), 

along with current pool names, are shown in figure 2 

for comparison.] and a minimum of 845 ft at the bottom 

of the former Squaw Creek channel through the southwest section of Pelican pool. In 1964, the elevation 

range in the Refuge pools was 15 ft, with a maximum 

of 865 ft (northeast corner of North pool, fig. 4) and a 

minimum elevation of 850 ft (south end of Eagle South 

pool). In 2002, the range was 16 ft, with a maximum of 

866 ft (northeast corner of North pool, fig. 5) and a 850 

ft minimum elevation (south end of Eagle South pool).

Sedimentation Characteristics

To understand the historic deposition and spatial 

distribution of sediment deposits in the Refuge, the historic locations of pool inflows from Squaw and Davis 

Creeks should be considered. The location of these 

inflows and delivery mechanisms have changed since 

the inception of the Refuge in response to high rates of 

deposition at inflow points.

The Refuge was established in 1935 from farms 

“plagued with excessive surface water and poor drainage” (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1964) and the 

location of inflows and management-unit boundaries 

have changed substantially since that time. At the time 

of the first survey in 1937, Squaw Creek was partially 

channelized within the Refuge and Davis Creek was 

channelized through the Refuge essentially at their 

present locations (fig. 1). 

The inflow spillways from Squaw and Davis 

Creeks historically have been located in the north section of the Refuge as the topographic gradient is from 

north to south, and water is moved through the Refuge 

by gravity. Inflow to the Refuge was by means of 

uncontrolled spillways in the channelized streams (fig. 

3). The Squaw Creek spillways were located in the 

northwest section of the Refuge and allowed flows into 

Mallard North and North pools. Inflow spillways were 

established on the Davis Creek channel near the northeast corner of the present Moist soil unit complex (fig. 

3). A small Squaw Creek tributary, Porter Creek, also 

entered the Refuge uncontrolled at the north central 

part of the North pool through the Todd Ditch (fig. 3). 

Squaw Creek was the primary source of inflows, and 

spillways and ditches routed water in the Mallard North 

and North pools. The only water-level control in the 

Refuge was at the outflow gate (fig. 3). The natural 

Davis Creek channel originally coincided roughly with 

the R38W-R39W range line; when Davis Creek was 

channelized, the abandoned former channel became 

known as Long Slough (fig. 3). 

By 1942, many of the inflow ditches were filled 

by sedimentation as “the frequency and magnitude of 

sedimentation after establishment of the Refuge 

exceeded expectation” (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

1964) and this led to modifications in the Refuge that 

continued through the early 1990’s. About 1942, 

Squaw Creek was fully channelized, and spillways 

with gated control structures were established to control flows into Mallard North and North pools. The 

Moist soil units and Cattail Complex were established 

in 1956. Pintail pool also was formed between 1942 

and 1964. Since the second survey in 1964, Pelican 

pool was formed from the Main pool (fig. 2). In the 

early 1970’s the Squaw Creek inflow spillways were 

relocated to their present location at the southeast corner of Mallard South pool (fig. 5). From 1989 to 1991, 

additional modifications were made in which Mallard 

pool was subdivided into a north and south unit, Snowgoose pool complex was formed, and Pintail pool also 

was subdivided into a north and south unit. The various 

levees dividing the pools are from 4 to 8 ft above the 

adjacent pool floor. The pools were identified by their 

present “waterfowl” names beginning in the 1970’s 

(Ron Bell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Squaw 

Creek National Wildlife Refuge Manager, oral commun., 2003; fig. 2). 

The historic spatial distribution of sediment in 

the Refuge is closely related to the location of Squaw 

and Davis Creek inflow spillways. The low gradient 

Squaw and Davis Creeks effectively carry fine-sized 

sediment particles (silt/clay) in suspension to the Refuge. Upon entering the Refuge pools, the streams 

deposit the larger silt particles near the discharge points 

forming deltaic features. The smaller clay particles
Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics 11

0 5,000 FEET

0 1,500 METERS

Figure 3. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge topography, 1937.

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

orthophoto quarter-quadrangle, 1:12,000, 1999

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 15

95°14'

95°16'

40°04'

40°06'

845

847

848

849

850

851

852

853

854

855

856

857

858

859

860

861

862

863

864

TOPOGRAPHIC CONTOUR—shows elevation

of land surface. Contour interval is variable, in

feet. Datum is NGVD 29

850

845 TO 849 FEET

850 TO 854 FEET

855 TO 859 FEET

860 TO 864 FEET

EXPLANATION

PRE-1970'S SPILLWAY AND DIRECTION OF

FLOW ARROW

Data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1964)

854

853

855

856

852

850

851

849

859

848

857

860

861

845

862

858

863

864

847

865

857

851

852

858

860

856

861

862

849

859

859

859

855

858

863

856

864

849

857

850

853

850

860

852

853

854

849

848

851

860

849

853

851

859

854

855

853 855

852

853

850

854

850

855

856

853

R39W R38W

Todd

Ditch

Porter

Creek

Outflow

Long

Slough

Mallard

North

Mallard

South

Pintail

North

A

East

Snowgoose

C

Cattail

Complex

Bluff

Moist

Soil

Units

Pintail

South

Northeast

Main

Northwest

Main

Eagle North

A

West

Pelican

Eagle South

D

B

E

North
12 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

850

851

852

853

854

855

856

857

858

859

860

861

862

863

864

865

866

867

868

869

TOPOGRAPHIC CONTOUR—shows elevation

of land surface. Contour interval 1 foot.

Datum is NGVD 29

850

850 TO 854 FEET

855 TO 859 FEET

860 TO 864 FEET

865 TO 869 FEET

870 TO 874 FEET

EXPLANATION

PRE-1970'S SPILLWAY AND DIRECTION OF

FLOW ARROW

Data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1964)

852

851

853

850

854

859

870 865

851

855

858

861

862

863

864

864

869 867

868

852

863

859

853

853

857

860

862

856

856

855

855

862

856

856

860

856

855

870

860

859

860

854

852

852

858

862

857

851

861

857

850

855

857

857

860

853

859

859

858

854

860

860

858

854

857

854

858

855

855

865

850

858

858

862

850

859

865

853

855

860

861

860

863

95°14'

95°16'

40°04'

40°06'

Figure 4. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge topography, 1964.

0 5,000 FEET

0 1,500 METERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

orthophoto quarter-quadrangle, 1:12,000, 1999

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 15

Outflow

Mallard

North

Mallard

South

Pintail

North

A

East

Snowgoose

C

Cattail

Complex

Bluff

Moist

Soil

Units

Pintail

South

Northeast

Main Northwest

Main

Eagle North

A

West

Pelican

Eagle South

D

B

E

North

Sq

u

aw

Cre

e

k

Davis

Cre

e

k
850

851

852

853

854

855

856

857

858

859

860

861

862

863

864

865

866

867

868

869

870

871

872

873

874

875

876

877

878

879

TOPOGRAPHIC CONTOUR—shows elevation 

 of land surface. Contour interval 1 foot. 

 Datum is NAVD 88

850

850 TO 854 FEET

855 TO 859 FEET

860 TO 864 FEET

865 TO 869 FEET

870 TO 874 FEET

875 TO 879 FEET

EXPLANATION

Figure 5. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge topography, 2002.

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 

 orthophoto quarter-quadrangle, 1:12,000, 1999

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

Zone 15

PRE-1970'S SPILLWAY AND DIRECTION OF 

 FLOW ARROW

POST-1970'S SPILLWAY AND DIRECTION OF 

 FLOW ARROW� �

855

852

850

854

850

852

850

850

851

854

854

855

854

853

858

8 85

854

855

855

853

850

854

854

851

851

851

853

851

852

851

558

854

851

54 8

856

856

856

856

853

850

854

854

851

058

854

854

850

850

855

854

855

851

851

857

857

857

850

852

6 85

853

854

855

851

854

853

856

856

856

851 853

860

856

853 853

850

856

856

856

854

855

855

851

854

854

852

851

855

854

859

855

855

855

853

854

850

856

854

858

854

850

853

853

853

852

853

850

853

864

858

854

853

851

851

857

857

852

852

853

850

0 1,500 METERS

0 5,000 FEET

40°04'

Pintail 

North

A

East

Snowgoose

C

Cattail 

Complex

Pintail

South

Northwest

Main

Eagle North

A

West

Pelican

Eagle South

B

D

E

Outflow

Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics 13
Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics 15

remain in suspension for longer times, allowing a 

greater distribution as waters are transferred from pool 

to pool, and a more uniform depositional pattern. 

Because the inflow streams are low gradient and channelized over much of the flow there is little opportunity 

for redistribution of sediments once they are deposited. 

The only way to remove the sediment is by mechanical 

means. The Squaw and Davis Creek spillways (figs. 3 

and 4) are cleaned of sediments nearly annually. The 

channelized stream ditches also require periodic cleaning albeit at a less frequent interval—approximately 

every decade (Ron Bell, oral commun., 2003). No data 

were available quantifying the amount of material 

removed from the ditches and control structures since 

the Refuge was established.

Sediment Deposition, 1937 to 1964

Between 1937 and 1964, the mean sediment deposition in all pool areas was about 1.37 ft, or 0.051 ft/yr 

(foot per year) (table 2). Mean annual rates of deposition by pool from 1937 to 1964 varied from 0.016 ft/yr 

in Snowgoose pool A East, to a maximum of 0.083 ft/yr 

in Mallard North pool (table 2) adjacent to Squaw 

Creek. The high sediment deposition rates in Bluff 

(0.072 ft/yr) and the Cattail Complex/Moist soil unit 

complex (0.079 ft/yr) are evidence of the substantial 

contributions that are possible from adjacent Davis 

Creek inflows. The 1937 to 1964 mean sediment deposition for areas corresponding to the 2002 surveyed 

area was 1.26 ft, or 0.047 ft/yr.

The spatial distribution of sediment deposits did 

not follow a homogenous pattern, and varied with proximity to inflow spillways. The North pool was the area 

of greatest initial sedimentation in the Refuge and 

already contained deposits exceeding 8 ft deep by 1964 

(fig. 6). This pool area was originally planned as a settling basin, and much of the sedimentation had 

occurred by the early 1940’s; however, the magnitude 

and extent of the sedimentation prompted further control and development projects of the Squaw and Davis 

Creek channels within the Refuge. The southwest corner of North pool had once been the area of greatest 

water depths in this pool, but by 1964 the southwest 

corner of the pool was used as an agricultural field 

(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1964). Depositional 

areas from 4 to more than 8 ft thick exist over the western one-third of the pool near the original inflow spillways, with about 2 ft of sediment covering the 

remaining western one-half of the pool. The remaining 

eastern one-half of the pool received less than 2 ft of 

deposition.

 In 1964, the areas of greatest concern and most 

rapid deterioration with respect to sedimentation were 

Mallard North and Mallard South pools (U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 1964; fig. 6). The original spillway 

into the east central part of the pools (fig. 3) allowed 

larger Squaw Creek flows to enter freely and quickly 

develop a depositional delta. Gate structures were 

installed on the spillways from Squaw and Davis 

Creeks in the 1940’s for better control of the inflows. 

With the newer gate structures it became possible to 

take water from the streams during low flows, which 

also have the least sediment transport, by ponding 

flows behind the gate until water levels reached inflow 

culvert levels. By 1964, most of Mallard North and 

Mallard South pools were covered with 2 ft of sediment 

deposits, with a maximum of about 7 ft closer to the 

Squaw Creek inflow spillway. Also of concern in the 

Refuge in 1964 were restrictions in the discharge of 

Squaw and Davis Creeks downstream from the Refuge. 

Woody debris accumulations and downstream bridge 

restrictions allowed Refuge outflows to form backwater, and reverse flow back into the Refuge over the 

top of the outflow control gate (U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, 1964) potentially resulting in additional sedimentation in the Eagle South pool area.

Between 1937 and 1964 sedimentation in pools 

other than Mallard and North took place predominantly 

near the inflow spillways from Davis and Squaw 

Creeks (fig. 6). From 2 to 6 ft of sediment was deposited in the Cattail Complex/Moist soil unit areas, with 

more deposited towards the Davis Creek inflow spillway. The 5-ft deep drainage ditch in the middle section 

of Pelican pool was filled in with sediment between 

1937 and 1964 by natural or mechanical means (fig. 6), 

and 4 to 5 ft of sediment was deposited at the present 

location of Pintail south pool, again by natural or 

mechanical means. Deposition in the Northeast and 

Northwest Main pools, most Snowgoose pools, Eagle 

North and South pools, and much of present Pelican 

pool generally was less than 1 ft. Excluding North pool 

and Mallard North and South pools, the mean deposition in the rest of the Refuge between 1937 and 1964 

was 1.04 ft.

An oddity in the 1937 to 1964 differential sediment thickness maps were areas of 2 to 3 ft of apparent 

erosion in the central Eagle South pool and the northeast corner of the North pool (fig. 6). These isolated 

areas are not in the path of a water course or pool dis-
16 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

charge capable of causing erosion, and are located in an 

unlikely area of extensive mechanical sediment 

removal. It is likely that the apparent erosion in these 

areas may be the result of erroneous survey information 

in this area from either the 1937 or 1964 surveys.

Sediment Deposition, 1964 to 2002

From 1964 to 2002, the total average sediment 

deposition in the 2002 surveyed pool area (all pools 

except Bluff and the Cattail Complex/Moist soil units) 

was 0.753 ft, or 0.020 ft/yr (table 2) compared to 1.26 

ft, or 0.047 ft/yr from 1937 to 1964 for the same area. 

The mean rate of sediment depth accumulation, therefore, from 1964 to 2002, was about 42 percent of the 

mean of the 1937 to 1964 rate, or a 58 percent reduction 

in the accumulation rate by depth.

Mean annual rates of deposition by pool from 

1964 to 2002 varied from 0.010 ft/yr in the Northeast 

Main pool and Pelican pool to 0.049 ft/yr in Snowgoose pool A West (table 2). The two highest mean 

annual rates for the 1964 to 2002 period were detected 

in Snowgoose pools and four of the highest six rates 

were located in pools in the Snowgoose complex of 

pools. The change in rankings of mean pool deposition 

from 1937 to 1964 and 1964 to 2002 was not a result of 

substantial increases in the deposition rates in the 

Snowgoose pools, as the deposition rates in one-half of 

the Snowgoose pools actually decreased between measurement periods. The ranking changes were a result of 

the substantial decrease in the deposition rates for those 

pools with the highest rates of deposition between 1937 

to 1964 (for example, 0.083 to 0.045 ft/yr for Mallard 

North, and 0.081 to 0.012 ft/yr for North pool). Despite 

a substantial reduction in the average rate of sediment 

accumulation for the Refuge, 5 of the 15 separate pools 

for which annual rates were calculated for 1937 to 1964 

and 1964 to 2002 showed an average increase in the 

deposition rates between the two periods of 0.004 ft/yr, 

although the maximum increase was only 0.008 ft/yr in 

Snowgoose A West.

Changes in inflow spillway structures caused a 

change in the depositional patterns in the Refuge 

between 1937 to 1964 and 1964 to 2002. The Squaw 

Creek spillways were shifted from the original locations by the early 1970’s (Ron Bell, written commun., 

2003; figs. 3 and 4) and new gates were installed to 

allow better control of inflows. Porter Creek flows were 

routed into Squaw Creek upstream from the Refuge 

between 1964 and the early 1970’s. Deposition from 

1964 to 2002 was greatest in areas of Mallard North 

and Mallard South pools near inflow points with deposits up to 7.5-ft thick in some small areas, and 1- to 4-ft 

deposits in the remaining areas of these pools (fig. 7). 

The nearby Pintail pool also received 1 to 4 ft of deposits during this period. Most of Northeast and Northwest 

Main, Pelican, and Eagle North and Eagle South pools 

received 0 to 1 ft of additional sediment between 1964 

to 2002. Parts of the original Davis Creek channel 

(Long Slough, fig. 3) received 2 to 3 ft of sediment during this period. The Snowgoose pool complex received 

1 to 2 ft of sediment deposits, with up to 3 ft in some 

areas including pool D, which is located near a historic 

inflow point, and pool E. The backwater problem at the 

Refuge outlet control structure was remedied with the 

elimination of downstream restrictions and the construction of the “Five-mile lane” drainage ditch to the 

Missouri River that was completed in 1969 (Ron Bell, 

written commun., 2003; fig. 1).

The 2- to 3-ft mounded areas in the central part 

of Eagle pool and the northeast corner of North pool 

depicted in the 1937 survey map (fig. 3), shown to have 

eroded between the 1937 and 1964 surveys (fig. 6), are 

again suspicious as the mounded areas were apparently 

reformed between 1964 and 2002 (fig. 7). This supports the likely scenario that these mound features actually existed during the 1964 survey. However, because 

they likely did not fall along a survey transect line, 

these features were erroneously omitted. Other erosional areas shown in figure 7 may be the result of 

accuracy differences between the 1964 and 2002 surveys.

Approximately 75 topographic points were collected within Bluff pool in the 2002 survey; while these 

points were not distributed well enough to use in developing contours and differential sediment thickness 

maps, they can provide point-elevation comparisons. 

The data indicated that the northern one-third of the 

pool had bottom elevations similar to that of the 1964 

map (fig. 4), the middle one-third had surface elevations generally a foot above those shown in the 1964 

topographic map (and 2 ft above the central area 

depicted by the 854-ft contour in the 1964 map), and 

the southern one-third of the pool had surface elevations generally 2 ft higher than the 1964 contours. A 

small tributary, Swope Creek, enters Bluff pool from 

the east (fig. 1), in the southern one-third of the pool, 

and sediment loads from this stream may account for 

the greater deposition at the south end of this pool. 
EXPLANATION

-3.0 AND LESS

>-3.0 TO -2.5

>-2.5 TO -2.0

>-2.0 TO -1.5

>-1.5 TO -1.0

>-1.0 TO -0.5

>-0.5 TO 0

>0 TO 0.5

>0.5 TO 1.0

>1.0 TO 1.5

>1.5 TO 2.0

>2.0 TO 2.5

>5.5 TO 6.0

>6.0 TO 6.5

>6.5 TO 7.0

>7.0 TO 7.5

>7.5 TO 8.0

>8.0

SEDIMENT THICKNESS, IN FEET

 > Greater than

>2.5 TO 3.0

>3.0 TO 3.5

>3.5 TO 4.0

>4.0 TO 4.5

>4.5 TO 5.0

>5.0 TO 5.5

LEVEE/ROAD

PRE-1970'S SPILLWAY AND DIRECTION OF FLOW ARROW

Figure 6. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge differential sediment thickness, 1937 to 1964.

0 1,500 METERS

0 5,000 FEET

40°04'

Pintail 

North

A

East

Snowgoose

C

Cattail 

Complex

Pintail

South

Northwest

Main

Eagle North

A

West

Pelican

Eagle South

B

D

E

Outflow

Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics 17
Figure 7. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge differential sediment thickness, 1964 to 2002.

-3.0 AND LESS

>-3.0 TO -2.5

>-2.5 TO -2.0

>-2.0 TO -1.5

>-1.5 TO -1.0

>-1.0 TO -0.5

>-0.5 TO 0

>0 TO 0.5

>0.5 TO 1.0

>1.0 TO 1.5

>1.5 TO 2.0

>2.0 TO 2.5

>5.5 TO 6.0

>6.0 TO 6.5

>6.5 TO 7.0

>7.0 TO 7.5

>7.5 TO 8.0

SEDIMENT THICKNESS, IN FEET

 > Greater than

>2.5 TO 3.0

>3.0 TO 3.5

>3.5 TO 4.0

>4.0 TO 4.5

>4.5 TO 5.0

>5.0 TO 5.5

LEVEE/ROAD

PRE-1970'S SPILLWAY AND DIRECTION OF FLOW ARROW

POST-1970'S SPILLWAY AND DIRECTION OF FLOW ARROW

EXPLANATION

Outflow

0 1,500 METERS

0 5,000 FEET

40°04'

Pintail 

North

A

East

Snowgoose

C

Cattail 

Complex

Pintail

South

Northwest

Main

Eagle North

A

West

Pelican

Eagle South

B

D

E

Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics 19
Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics 21

Sediment Deposition, 1937 to 2002

The greatest amounts of sediment deposition in 

the Refuge have been near the Squaw and Davis Creek 

inflow spillways, which have been located at various 

locations in the northwest and northeast sections of the 

Refuge (figs. 6 to 8). Maximum deposits near historic 

inflow spillways (fig. 3) have exceeded 8 ft in the Mallard pools and North pool, and more than 3 ft in the 

inflow areas corresponding with the current Snowgoose pools (fig. 8). When an inflow spillway is relocated, this can reduce additional sediment deposition at 

the original location, but cause increased sediment deposition at the new inflow location. Such reductions 

occurred in the North pool that directly received Squaw 

Creek inflows from 1937 to 1964, and had a deposition 

rate of 0.081 ft/yr reduced to 0.012 ft/yr from 1964 to 

2002 (table 2), after inflows were redirected in the 

1970’s. The current inflows from Squaw Creek are 

closer to the Snowgoose and Pintail pools (fig. 8), and 

Pintail and the northernmost Snowgoose pools all 

received greater mean annual accumulations of sediment from 1964 to 2002 than from 1937 to 1964.

While the greatest deposition depths exist near 

present or historic inflow spillways, essentially the 

entire Refuge has received, on average, 2 ft of sediment 

deposition since 1937 (table 2). The individual pools 

that received the greatest amounts of mean sediment 

deposition include Mallard north (3.96 ft), Mallard 

south (3.41 ft), and Snowgoose pool D (3.34 ft), all 

located near current or historic Squaw Creek spillways. 

The pools receiving the least amount of average deposition between 1937 and 2002 include Northwest Main 

(0.98 ft), Snowgoose pool A East (1.19 ft), and Eagle 

South (1.26 ft). While pools received, on average, 1 to 

3 ft of deposition, there were areas of the Refuge that 

remained relatively unchanged since 1937 including 

parts of the Northeast and Northwest Main pools, eastern sections of North pool, and the central part of Eagle 

South pool (fig. 8).

While the Squaw and Davis Creek Basins were 

the primary contributors of sediment to the Refuge 

between 1937 and 2002, sediment contributions also 

could have been made by other Refuge tributaries and 

flooding from the Missouri River. The peak stage in the 

Refuge during the July 1993 Missouri River flood was 

858.20 ft [National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 

(NGVD 29)] and the refuge was inundated by floodwaters for weeks (Ron Bell, oral commun., 2003). A 

comparable event to the 1993 flood, in terms of streamflow, occurred in 1952 on the Missouri River in northwest Missouri. No mention was made of sediment 

contributions from the 1952 flood to the Refuge in the 

1964 USFWS Refuge management plan (U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 1964), and there are no records or 

observations of possible sediment contributions to the 

Refuge from either of these floods. The strong association between Squaw and Davis Creek spillway locations and Refuge sediment deposits, the lack of 

measurable deposition over some areas in the Refuge 

that were inundated during the 1993 flood (areas of 

Northeast, Northwest Main pool, eastern section of 

North pool, and central Eagle pools that in 2002 were 

unchanged from 1937 topography), and the distance of 

the Refuge from the Missouri River (approximately 5 

miles) indicate or suggest that sediment contributions 

from the Missouri River floods were not substantial. 

The sediment contributions from Porter Creek (fig. 3), 

Little Tarkio Creek (fig. 1), and Swope Creek (fig. 1) 

during the 1937 to 2002 period are likely insignificant 

in comparison with Squaw and Davis Creek but still 

unknown. 

Sediment Volume and Mass

Sediment deposits have resulted in a substantial 

cumulative loss of pool volume in the Refuge pools 

since 1937. Total volume of sediment deposited in all 

pools between 1937 and 1964 was about 7,750 acre-ft 

(acre-feet) (table 2). A comparable volume for 1964 to 

2002 is unavailable as the Cattail Complex/Moist soil 

units and Bluff pool data were lacking for the 2002 survey, but the 1937 to 1964 sediment volume for all pools 

excluding these areas was about 6,200 acre-ft, or 230 

acre-ft/yr (acre-feet per year) and the 1964 to 2002 deposition value was about 3,700 acre-ft, or 97.3 acre-ft/yr 

(table 2). The 1937 to 2002 total sediment volume 

deposited in the 2002 surveyed pool area in the Refuge 

was about 9,900 acre-ft, or 152 acre-ft/yr.

Any errors associated with the 1937 and 1964 

sediment surveys, and comparisons between the 2002 

survey and the earlier surveys, would be reflected in the 

volume and mass calculations. However, the methods, 

data, and errors associated with these historic surveys 

are unknown. While it is unlikely that any areas of 

extensive erosion (figs. 6 to 8) actually occurred in the 

Refuge between 1937 and 2002, these erosion values 

were included in the total net volume values (table 2). 

Sediment erosion losses amounted to approximately 3 

percent of the total deposition between 1937 and 1964, 

and 0.3 percent of the deposition between 1964 and 

2002. These values (3 percent, 0.3 percent) can perhaps 
22 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

provide an estimation of mean errors associated with 

comparisons between the 2002 survey and earlier surveys. 

Analyses of sediment samples collected from the 

Refuge resulted in the determination of representative 

soil texture and bulk densities for the assumed 1937 to 

1964 and 1964 to 2002 deposits. Soil texture and bulk 

density were heterogeneous between sites and within 

site profiles, indicating a complex spatial deposition 

pattern with time, reflecting changes in Refuge inflow 

spillways and source characteristics (table 3). Textural 

analyses indicate sand content in the samples was from 

1 to 16 percent, silt content was 29 to 88 percent, and 

clay content was 9 to 69 percent, with resulting textural 

classes from silt to clay (table 3). Bulk densities ranged 

from 16.9 lb/ft3 (pounds per cubic foot) [0.27 g/cm3

(grams per cubic centimeter)] from a surface (1964 to 

2002 layer) sample at site SQ21 (fig. 1) to 74.3 lb/ft3

(1.19 g/cm3

) at a surface (1964 to 2002 layer) site sample at site SQ5. Despite the differences among and 

between sites, the soil types present at most Refuge 

sample locations were consistent with the silty clay 

loam and silt loams characteristic of the Squaw Creek 

and Davis Creek Basins. Measured soil bulk densities 

varied with texture and the amount of organic matter in 

the samples, and also were related to the vegetation distribution and water depth in the pools.

The total computed mass of sediment deposited 

between 1937 and 1964 in the 2002 surveyed Refuge 

pool area (excludes Cattail Complex/Moist soil unit 

and Bluff pool) was about 6,510,000 tons, or an average of 49.1 tons/acre/yr (tons per acre per year) (table 

2). The total mass from 1964 to 2002 for the 2002 surveyed pool area was about 3,830,000 tons, or an average of 20.5 tons/acre/yr. Similar to the depth 

accumulation comparisons, the 1964 to 2002 rate of 

sediment mass deposition was about 42 percent of that 

from 1937 to 1964, or a 58 percent reduction. Overall, 

from 1937 to 2002, about 10,300,000 tons of sediment 

were deposited in the 2002 surveyed area, or 32.4 

tons/acre/yr.

Pool Elevation-Area and Elevation-Capacity Data

Elevation-area and elevation-capacity data serve 

a useful purpose in the management of the Refuge 

pools for desired vegetation conditions and wildlife 

habitat in that it provides an estimate of the volume of 

water needed to meet a target pool depth or the maximum water-surface area at a specified water-surface 

elevation. Pool elevation-area and elevation-capacity 

data provide for a graphical means of comparing the 

historic status of deposition in the Refuge (figs. 9 to 

11). The graphs clearly show the greater area and volume losses that occurred between 1937 and 1964 when 

compared with the 1964 to 2002 measurement interval 

for both the Mallard North and Mallard South (fig. 9) 

and North pool (fig. 10). The 1964 to 2002 pool capacity and area changes were not as substantial as the 1937 

to 1964 changes in the area including Snowgoose, 

Northeast and Northwest Main, Cattail Complex/Moist 

soil units, Eagle North and South, and Pelican pool 

areas (fig. 11). Pool-specific elevation-area and elevation-capacity data, based on 2002 survey data, are provided for all 2002 surveyed pools to better define 

current (2003) storage and area conditions (table 4, at 

the back of this report). These data can aid in the current management of the Refuge pools and provide a 

basis for future pool-specific comparisons.

Squaw Creek and Davis Creek Sediment 

Loads

The differential sediment thickness maps indicate that Squaw Creek was the primary contributor of 

sediment to the Refuge during 1937 to 2002 (figs. 6 to 

8) and suspended-sediment data from Squaw Creek 

and Davis Creek for the 2001 and 2002 water years 

(October 1 to September 30) supports the conclusion 

that Squaw Creek contributes greater total sediment 

loads than Davis Creek. The total annual sediment 

loads from the Squaw Creek Basin exceeded those 

from the Davis Creek Basin for the 2001 and 2002 

water years; however, the 2001 basin-area adjusted sediment yield for the smaller Davis Creek Basin [2.33 

tons/acre (tons per acre)] exceeded that of the Squaw 

Creek Basin (1.04 tons/acre). The 2001 total sediment 

load at the Squaw Creek near Mound City, Missouri, 

streamflow gaging station (station number 06815575, 

fig. 1) was about 42,000 tons, while the 2001 sediment 

load at the Davis Creek near Mound City, Missouri, 

streamflow gaging station (station number 06815555, 

fig. 1) was about 34,200 tons. Regional streamflow volume in the 2001 water year was near average based on 

long-term record from the nearby Nodaway River near 

Graham, Missouri streamflow gaging station (station 

number 06817700, fig. 1), where average flow for 2001
-3.0 AND LESS

>-3.0 TO -2.5

>-2.5 TO -2.0

>-2.0 TO -1.5

>-1.5 TO -1.0

>-1.0 TO -0.5

>-0.5 TO 0

>0 TO 0.5

>0.5 TO 1.0

>1.0 TO 1.5

>1.5 TO 2.0

>2.0 TO 2.5

>5.5 TO 6.0

>6.0 TO 6.5

>6.5 TO 7.0

>7.0 TO 7.5

>7.5 TO 8.0

>8.0

SEDIMENT THICKNESS, IN FEET

 > Greater than

>2.5 TO 3.0

>3.0 TO 3.5

>3.5 TO 4.0

>4.0 TO 4.5

>4.5 TO 5.0

>5.0 TO 5.5

LEVEE/ROAD

PRE-1970'S SPILLWAY AND DIRECTION OF FLOW ARROW

POST-1970'S SPILLWAY AND DIRECTION OF FLOW ARROW

Figure 8. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge differential sediment thickness, 1937 to 2002.

EXPLANATION

0 1,500 METERS

0 5,000 FEET

40°04'

Outflow

Pintail 

North

A

East

Snowgoose

C

Cattail 

Complex

Pintail

South

Northwest

Main

Eagle North

A

West

Pelican

Eagle South

B

D

E

Squaw Creek and Davis Creek Sediment Loads 23
Squaw Creek and Davis Creek Sediment Loads 25

Table 3. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge soil sample characteristics[no., number; UTM, Universal Transverse Mercator; m, meters; ft, feet; lb/ft3, pounds per cubic foot; >, greater than; mm, millimeters; <, less than; --, no data]

Site no.

(fig. 1)

Sample 

date

Sample location 

UTM coordinates 1937–

1964 

depth, 

in ft

1964–

2002 

depth, 

in ft

Bulk 

density, 

lb/ft3

Average 

1937–1964 

bulk density, 

lb/ft3

Average 

1964–2002 

bulk density, 

lb/ft3

Percent 

sand 

(>0.053 

mm)

Percent 

silt 

(0.05–0.002 

mm)

Pe

c

(<0

m

Northing, 

in m

Easting, 

in m

SQ1 11/29/2002 306250 4442250 -- 0-1 45.6 -- -- 1 61 

-- 1-2 46.2 -- -- 2 72 -- 2-3 59.9 -- 50.6 1 79 

3-4 -- 56.8 -- -- 1 43 4-5 -- 67.4 62.1 -- 2 42 

SQ2 11/29/2002 306250 4441250 -- 0-1 36.2 -- 36.2 2 54 

1-2 -- 35.6 -- -- 2 49 2-3 -- 54.9 -- -- 1 35 3-4 -- 56.2 -- -- 1 35 4-5 -- 57.4 51.0 -- 1 34 

SQ3 11/29/2002 306250 4440250 -- 0-0.8 30.0 -- 30.0 3 33 

0.8-1.1 -- 68.7 68.7 -- 3 43 

SQ4 11/29/2002 307250 4443250 -- 0-1 61.2 -- -- 2 64 

-- 1-2 59.3 -- 60.2 3 74 

2-3 -- 51.8 51.8 -- 3 83 

SQ5 11/29/2002 307250 4442250 -- 0-0.2 74.3 -- 74.3 3 81 

0.2-1 -- 52.4 -- -- 5 83 

1-2 -- 39.0 45.7 -- 3 88 

SQ6 11/29/2002 307250 4441223 -- 0-1 69.3 -- 69.3 1 84 

1-2 -- 50.6 50.6 -- 1 46 
26 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002 SQ7 11/29/2002 307290 4440250 -- 0-0.7 49.9 -- 49.9 2 33 

0.7-1.1 -- -- -- -- 1 39 

SQ8 11/29/2002 307311 4439250 -- 0-1.3 42.4 -- 42.4 2 33 

1.3-2.4 -- 63.0 63.0 -- 2 36 

SQ9 11/29/2002 307250 4438255 -- 0-1.1 38.1 -- 38.1 8 41 

1.1-1.5 -- 61.2 61.2 -- 1 59 

SQ10 11/29/2002 307250 4437250 -- 0-0.6 35.0 -- 35.0 6 66 

0.6-1.7 -- 43.7 43.7 -- 7 66 

SQ11 12/02/2002 308250 4443748 0-1 -- 55.2 55.6 -- 2 62 SQ12 12/02/2002 308250 4442750 -- 0-0.6 50.6 -- 50.6 3 45 

0.6-1.2 -- 29.6 30.0 -- 3 59 

SQ13 12/02/2002 308250 4441750 -- 0-0.1 44.9 -- 44.9 4 45 

0.1-0.8 -- 39.6 39.9 -- 3 35 

SQ14 12/02/2002 308250 4440750 -- 0-0.8 43.7 -- 43.7 2 29 

0.8-1.3 -- 41.2 41.2 -- 2 32 

SQ15 12/02/2002 308250 4439750 -- 0-1.3 49.0 -- 49.3 2 33 

1.3-1.8 -- 52.7 53.1 -- 2 32 

Table 3. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge soil sample characteristics—Continued [no., number; UTM, Universal Transverse Mercator; m, meters; ft, feet; lb/ft3, pounds per cubic foot; >, greater than; mm, millimeters; <, less than; --, no data] Site no. (fig. 1) Sample date Sample location UTM coordinates 1937– 1964 depth, in ft 1964– 2002 depth, in ft Bulk density, lb/ft3 Average 1937–1964 bulk density, lb/ft3 Average 1964–2002 bulk density, lb/ft3 Percent sand (>0.053 mm) Percent silt (0.05–0.002 mm) Pe

c

(<0

m

Northing, in m Easting, in m
Squaw Creek and Davis Creek Sediment Loads 27

SQ16 12/02/2002 308250 4438750 -- 0-1 37.5 -- -- 5 44 

-- 1-2 30.0 -- 33.7 1 33 

SQ17 12/02/2002 308250 4437750 0-0.7 -- 33.7 33.7 -- 9 51 SQ18 12/02/2002 308250 4436750 -- 0-0.4 29.3 -- 29.3 2 44 

0.4-2.4 -- 39.9 39.9 -- 2 42 

SQ19 12/02/2002 309250 4439750 -- 0-1 33.1 -- 33.1 6 32 

1-2 -- 21.2 21.2 -- 2 35 

SQ20 12/02/2002 309250 4438750 0-1.2 -- 23.7 23.7 -- 1 67 SQ21 12/02/2002 309250 4437750 -- 0-0.2 16.9 -- 16.9 16 54 SQ22 11/29/2002 306575 4442350 -- 0-1 53.7 -- -- 3 72 

-- 1-2 57.1 -- -- 5 78 -- 2-3 62.7 -- -- 3 75 -- 3-4 63.7 -- -- 2 71 -- 4-5 63.7 -- 60.2 3 70 

5-6 -- 59.9 -- -- 3 76 6-7 -- 66.8 63.4 -- 2 66 

Table 3. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge soil sample characteristics—Continued

[no., number; UTM, Universal Transverse Mercator; m, meters; ft, feet; lb/ft3, pounds per cubic foot; >, greater than; mm, millimeters; <, less than; --, no data]

Site no.

(fig. 1)

Sample 

date

Sample location 

UTM coordinates 1937–

1964 

depth, 

in ft

1964–

2002 

depth, 

in ft

Bulk 

density, 

lb/ft3

Average 

1937–1964 

bulk density, 

lb/ft3

Average 

1964–2002 

bulk density, 

lb/ft3

Percent 

sand 

(>0.053 

mm)

Percent 

silt 

(0.05–0.002 

mm)

Pe

c

(<0

m

Northing, 

in m

Easting, 

in m
28 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

was 957 ft3/s (cubic feet per second) compared with a 

19-year mean of 971 ft3/s (Hauck and Nagel, 2002). 

The 2002 total sediment load from the Squaw Creek 

Basin was about 11,000 tons, and the 2002 Davis Creek 

Basin total sediment load was about 690 tons. The 2002 

yield from the Squaw Creek Basin (0.27 tons/acre) also 

exceeded that of the Davis Creek Basin (0.05 

tons/acre). The 2002 water year streamflow in the 

region was substantially below average based on the 

2002 Nodaway River near Graham, Missouri, mean 

annual flow of 192 ft3/s (Hauck and Nagel, 2003). 

Davis Creek had higher maximum suspendedsediment concentrations than Squaw Creek as a result 

of lower streamflows in combination with possibly 

higher erosion rates in the Davis Creek Basin. In comparison the greater streamflows in Squaw Creek 

resulted in greater sediment loads despite lower maximum concentrations. The measured suspended-sediment concentrations from Squaw Creek near Mound 

City, during the 2001 and 2002 water years, varied 

from 46 to about 26,000 mg/L (milligrams per liter). 

The range in concentrations from Davis Creek near 

Mound City for the same period varied from 46 to 

about 72,500 mg/L. The mean annual flows for Squaw 

and Davis Creeks in 2001 were 36.0 and 15.9 ft3

/s, 

respectively. The 2002 mean annual flows for Squaw 

and Davis Creeks were 13.1 and 4.5 ft3

/s, respectively 

(Hauck and Nagel, 2003).

The combined sediment load from Squaw and 

Davis Creeks during a water year of average flow 

(2001) was 76,200 tons, while the mean deposition 

mass in the Refuge (2002 surveyed area) from 1937 to 

1964 was 241,000 tons/yr (tons per year) and 101,000 

tons/yr from 1964 to 2002 (table 2). The higher deposition mass in 1937 to 1964 compared with 1964 to 2002 

is likely the result of erosion-control management 

852

854

856

858

860

862

864

0 2 4 6

INUNDATED AREA, IN HUNDREDS OF ACRES

HISTORIC DATA—Data from the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1964)

1937

1964

RECENT DATA

2002

852

853

854

855

856

857

858

859

860

0 5 10 15

CAPACITY, IN HUNDREDS OF ACRE-FEET

ELEVATION, I

EXPLANATION

Figure 9. Elevation-area and elevation-capacity data for Mallard

North and Mallard South at the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge.
Squaw Creek and Davis Creek Sediment Loads 29

activities in the Squaw and Davis Creek Basins and 

Refuge spillway modifications made in the 1970’s to 

regulate inflows and sediment contributions. Although 

a greater number of high magnitude floods from 1937 

to 1964 than from 1964 to 2002 also could cause 

greater deposition during the earlier period, there was 

no statistically significant trend in the magnitude of 

historic peak flows with time from 1944 to 2002 (p=

0.70, significance level 0.05; fig. 12) at the nearby Big 

Nemaha River at Falls City, Nebraska, gaging station 

(fig. 1). 

The difference in the 2001 suspended-sediment 

loads and the average annual sediment deposition 

between 1964 and 2002 is likely due, again, to a reduction in sediment inflows in the Refuge following the 

1970’s spillway modifications and a continuation of 

erosion control practices in the basins. These two sediment reduction mechanisms would not have been in 

place from 1964 to the 1970’s, and would affect the 

overall 1964 to 2002 average deposition amounts. 

Other possible factors for the difference between the 

2001 suspended-sediment loads and the 1937 to 1964 

and 1964 to 2002 deposition values could be sediment 

deposition contributions from other basins [Missouri 

River, Little Tarkio Creek (fig. 1), and Porter Creek 

(fig. 3)] during flooding, and the variability in measurement and calculation of deposited sediment mass and 

sediment loads. The two largest Missouri River floods 

in recent history that affected the Refuge occurred in 

1952 and 1993, and may have contributed sediment in 

some areas. Additional sediment load data collected 

during a range of flow conditions would be required to 

determine more conclusive relations between Squaw 

and Davis Creek suspended-sediment transport and 

Refuge deposition.

853

854

855

856

857

858

859

860

0 2 4 68

INUNDATED AREA, IN HUNDREDS OF ACRES

853

854

855

856

857

858

859

860

0 5 10 15

CAPACITY, IN HUNDREDS OF ACRE-FEET

ELEVATION, IN FEET ABOVE NGVD 29

Figure 10. Elevation-area and elevation-capacity data for North

pool at the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

HISTORIC DATA—Data from the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1964)

1937

1964

RECENT DATA

2002

EXPLANATION
30 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

10

100

1,000

10,000

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Figure 12. Mean annual flow at Big Nemaha River at Falls City, Nebraska

(streamflow gaging station 06815000), 1944 to 2002.

MEAN ANNUAL STREAMFLOW,

IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

LINE OF BEST FIT

846

848

850

852

854

856

858

0 10 20 30 40

INUNDATED AREA, IN HUNDREDS OF ACRES

ELEVATION, IN FEET ABOVE NGVD 29

846

848

850

852

854

856

858

0 5 10 15 20

CAPACITY, IN THOUSANDS OF ACRE-FEET

Figure 11. Elevation-area and elevation-capacity data for Snowgoose,

Northeast Main, Northwest Main, Cattail Complex/Moist Soil Units, Eagle

North, Eagle South, and Pelican pools at the Squaw Creek National

Wildlife Refuge.

HISTORIC DATA—Data from the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1964)

1937

1964

RECENT DATA

2002

EXPLANATION
Summary and Conclusions 31

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge 

(hereafter referred to as the Refuge) in Holt County, 

Missouri, was established in 1935 and is managed for 

the primary purpose of providing habitat for migratory 

birds and wildlife. Results of topographic surveys in 

1937 and 1964 indicated that sedimentation, primarily 

from Squaw and Davis Creeks, had substantially 

reduced Refuge pool volumes and depths, resulting in 

a substantial loss of waterfowl habitat and a reduction 

in the ability of managers to manipulate existing habitat 

conditions. A study was undertaken of topography and 

sedimentation characteristics to quantify and spatially 

analyze historic rates of sedimentation in the Refuge, 

and determine the surface elevations, depths, and 

capacities for selected pools based on 1937, 1964, and 

2002 topographic surveys.

From 1937 to 1964, the mean sediment deposition for the entire Refuge was about 1.37 ft (feet) or 

0.051 ft/yr (foot per year). Mean annual rates of deposition by pool between 1937 and 1964 varied from 

0.016 ft/yr in the Snowgoose pool A East to 0.083 ft/yr 

in the Mallard North pool.

From 1964 to 2002, the total average sediment 

deposition in the 2002 surveyed pool area (all pools 

except Bluff and the Cattail Complex/Moist soil units) 

was 0.753 ft, or 0.020 ft/yr. The 1937 to 1964 mean 

total deposition for the same pool areas was 1.26 ft, or 

0.047 ft/yr. The mean rate of sediment-depth accumulation, therefore, from 1964 to 2002, was about 42 percent of the mean of the 1937 to 1964 rate, or a 58 

percent reduction in the mean rates of accumulation. 

Mean annual rates of deposition by pool from 1964 to 

2002 varied from 0.010 ft/yr in the Northeast Main 

pool and Pelican pool, to 0.049 ft/yr in Snowgoose pool 

A West. Despite a substantial reduction in the average 

rate of sediment accumulation for the Refuge, 5 of the 

15 separate pools for which annual rates were calculated for 1937 to 1964 and 1964 to 2002 indicated an 

increase in the deposition rates between the two periods, albeit the maximum increase was only 0.008 ft/yr 

in Snowgoose A West.

The greatest amounts of sediment deposition in 

the Refuge from 1937 to 2002 have been near the 

Squaw and Davis Creek inflow spillways, which have 

been located at various locations in the northwest and 

northeast sections of the Refuge. When an inflow spillway was relocated, additional sediment deposition was 

reduced at the original location, while sedimentationiincreased at the new inflow location. An example of 

this is found in the North pool that directly received 

Squaw Creek inflows from 1937 to 1964 and had a deposition rate of 0.081 ft/yr, reduced to 0.012 ft/yr from 

1964 to 2002, after inflows were redirected. The current inflows from Squaw Creek are closer to the Snowgoose complex and Pintail pools, and many of these 

pools received greater mean annual accumulations of 

sediment from 1964 to 2002 than from 1937 to 1964.

While the Squaw and Davis Creek Basins were 

the primary contributors of sediment to the Refuge 

between 1937 and 2002, sediment contributions also 

could have been made by flooding from the Missouri 

River although such contributions were likely not substantial. Missouri River floods in 1952 and 1993 were 

the largest in the area but there are no records or observations of possible sediment contributions to the Refuge from either of these floods. The strong association 

between Squaw and Davis Creek spillway locations 

and Refuge sediment deposits, the lack of measurable 

deposition over some areas in the Refuge that were 

inundated during the 1993 flood (areas of Northeast, 

Northwest Main pool, eastern section of North pool, 

and central Eagle pools that in 2002 were unchanged 

from 1937 topography), and the distance of the Refuge 

from the Missouri River (approximately 5 miles) indicate or suggest that sediment contributions from the 

Missouri River floods were not substantial.

Sediment deposits have resulted in a substantial 

cumulative loss of pool volume in the Refuge pools 

since 1937. The volume of sediment deposited between 

1937 to 1964 for all areas included in the 2002 survey 

was about 6,200 acre-ft (acre-feet), or 230 acre-ft/yr 

American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) in bloom in Eagle pool at the Squaw Creek

National Wildlife Refuge.
32 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002

(acre-feet per year). For 1964 to 2002, the total deposition was about 3,700 acre-ft, or 97.3 acre-ft/yr. The 

1937 to 2002 total sediment volume, for pools surveyed 

in 2002, was about 9,900 acre-ft, or 152 acre-ft/yr.

The total computed sediment mass deposited 

between 1937 and 1964 in the 2002 surveyed Refuge 

pool area (excluding the Cattail Complex/Moist soil 

unit and Bluff pool) was about 6,510,000 tons, or an 

average of 49.1 tons/acre/yr (tons per acre per year). 

The total 1964 to 2002 mass for surveyed pools was 

about 3,830,000 tons, or an average of 20.5 

tons/acre/yr. The 1964 to 2002 rate of sediment mass 

deposition, as with sediment depth, was about 42 percent of that from 1937 to 1964, or a 58 percent reduction. Overall, from 1937 to 2002, about 10,300,000 

tons of sediment were deposited in the surveyed area, 

or 32.4 tons/acre/yr.

The differential sediment thickness maps indicate that Squaw Creek was the primary contributor of 

sediment to the Refuge during 1937 to 2002 and suspended-sediment data from Squaw Creek and Davis 

Creek for the 2001 and 2002 water years supports these 

findings. The total annual sediment loads from the 

Squaw Creek Basin exceeded those of Davis Creek for 

the 2001 and 2002 monitored water years; however, the 

2001 basin-area adjusted sediment yield from the Davis 

Creek Basin exceeded that from the Squaw Creek 

Basin.

The combined suspended-sediment load from 

Squaw and Davis Creeks during a water year of average 

flow (2001) was about 76,200 tons, while the mean 

deposition in the Refuge was about 241,000 tons/yr 

(tons per year) from 1937 to 1964, and about 101,000 

tons/yr from 1964 to 2002. The differences in deposition rates between 1937 and 1964 compared with 1964 

to 2002, and the higher deposition rates of 1964 to 2002 

compared with the sediment load from the two creeks 

during an average recent flow year (2001), do not seem 

to be the result of higher historic streamflows. Higher 

rates of deposition may have occurred during the early 

years of the 1964 to 2002 period, when erosion-control 

programs were just becoming widespread and before 

the establishment of more effective control gates on the 

inflow spillways by the early 1970’s. Additional data 

during a range of flow conditions would be required to 

determine more reliable annual yields and conclusive 

relations between Squaw and Davis Creek sediment 

transport and Refuge deposition.

Measures taken in the Refuge to limit flooding 

and control the timing of inflows, along with erosioncontrol measures in the Squaw and Davis Creek Basins, 

seem to have resulted in a substantial reduction in the 

average rate of sediment deposition for 1964 to 2002, 

compared to 1937 to 1964. Current (2003) deposition 

patterns are still related to the proximity to inflow spillway locations and deposition rates in individual pools 

are variable. Known rates of sediment deposition in the 

Refuge can be used to develop long-term management 

strategies for individual pools or the Refuge as a whole.

REFERENCES CITED

Blake, G.R., and Hartge, K.H., 1986, Bulk Density, in A. 

Klute (ed.) Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 1. Physical 

and Mineralogical Methods (2d ed.), no. 9: American 

Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wis., p. 363–375.

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field methods for 

measurement of fluvial sediment: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, 

book 3, chap. C2, 89 p.

Gee, G.W., and Bauder, J.W., 1986, Particle size analysis, in

A. Klute (ed.) Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 1. Physical and Mineralogical Methods (2d ed.), no. 9: American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wis., p. 383–411.

Guy, H.P., 1969, Laboratory theory and methods for sediment analysis: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of 

Water-Resources Investigations, book 5, chap. C1, 58 p.

Hauck, H.S., and Nagel, C.D., 2002, Water Resources 

Data—Missouri, Water Year 2001: U.S. Geological 

Survey Water-Data Report MO–01–1, 504 p. 

———, 2003, Water Resources Data—Missouri, Water Year 

2002: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Data Report MO–

02–1, CD-ROM and http://mo.water.usgs.gov.

McKallip, T.E., Koltun, G.F., Gray, J.R., and Glysson, G.D., 

2001, GCLAS—A Graphical Constituent Loading 

Analysis System: Proceedings of the 7th Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference, Reno, Nev., March 

25–29, Vol. II, VI–49 to VI–52.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2002, 

Monthly station normals of temperature, precipitation, 

and heating and cooling degree days, 1971–2000, no. 

23 Missouri: National Climatic Data Center, Climatography of the United States, no. 81, 35 p.

Rausch, D.L., and Heinemann, H.G., 1968, Reservoir Sedimentation Survey Methods, Research Bulletin 939: 

University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Station, Columbia, Mo., 20 p.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1964, Squaw Creek National 

Wildlife Refuge Master Development Plan: Bureau of 

Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Minneapolis, Minn., 50 p.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1997, Soil Survey of Holt 

County, Missouri: Natural Resources Conservation Service, 163 p.
TABLE
Table 4 35

Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refug[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (U

Mallard North

Outlet location 4441177.603 305596.239

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity, 

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity,

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Pool 

stage,

in ft

Elevation,

in ft

3.23 854.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.73 857 118 64.6 0.55 8.23 859.5 3.33 854.6 .00 .00 .03 5.83 857.1 125 76.8 .62 8.33 859.6 3.43 854.7 .04 .00 .04 5.93 857.2 129 89.5 .69 8.43 859.7 3.53 854.8 .16 .01 .07 6.03 857.3 134 103 .76 8.53 859.8 3.63 854.9 .38 .04 .10 6.13 857.4 139 116 .83 8.63 859.9 3.73 855 .79 .09 .11 6.23 857.5 145 131 .90 8.73 860 3.83 855.1 1.23 .19 .15 6.33 857.6 151 145 .96 8.83 860.1 3.93 855.2 1.68 .34 .20 6.43 857.7 156 161 1.03 8.93 860.2 4.03 855.3 2.12 .53 .25 6.53 857.8 161 177 1.09 9.03 860.3 4.13 855.4 2.58 .76 .29 6.63 857.9 167 193 1.15 9.13 860.4 4.23 855.5 3.24 1.04 .32 6.73 858 175 210 1.20 9.23 860.5 4.33 855.6 4.61 1.43 .31 6.83 858.1 180 228 1.27 9.33 860.6 4.43 855.7 6.30 1.98 .31 6.93 858.2 184 246 1.33 9.43 860.7 4.53 855.8 8.11 2.70 .33 7.03 858.3 189 265 1.40 9.53 860.8 4.63 855.9 11.2 3.64 .32 7.13 858.4 193 284 1.47 9.63 860.9 4.73 856 17.6 5.02 .29 7.23 858.5 198 303 1.53 9.73 861 4.83 856.1 22.1 7.01 .32 7.33 858.6 203 323 1.59 9.83 861.1 4.93 856.2 27.7 9.49 .34 7.43 858.7 209 344 1.65 9.93 861.2 5.03 856.3 33.5 12.5 .37 7.53 858.8 214 365 1.715.13 856.4 43.4 16.4 .38 7.63 858.9 220 387 1.765.23 856.5 55.3 21.3 .39 7.73 859 236 409 1.735.33 856.6 67.4 27.4 .41 7.83 859.1 241 433 1.805.43 856.7 79.6 34.8 .44 7.93 859.2 245 457 1.875.53 856.8 91.2 43.3 .48 8.03 859.3 249 482 1.945.63 856.9 108 53.3 .49 8.13 859.4 253 507 2.00
36 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002 Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refug

[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (U

Mallard South Outlet location 4440638.929 306066.986 Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft 

4.40 855.1 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.90 857.6 158 190 1.20 9.40 860.1 4.50 855.2 .00 .00 .01 7.00 857.7 160 206 1.29 9.50 860.2 4.60 855.3 .11 .01 .05 7.10 857.8 162 222 1.37 9.60 860.3 4.70 855.4 .32 .03 .08 7.20 857.9 164 239 1.46 9.70 860.4 4.80 855.5 .68 .07 .11 7.30 858 165 255 1.55 9.80 860.5 4.90 855.6 1.14 .16 .14 7.40 858.1 166 272 1.64 9.90 860.6 5.00 855.7 1.97 .31 .16 7.50 858.2 167 288 1.73 5.10 855.8 5.45 .66 .12 7.60 858.3 168 305 1.82 5.20 855.9 12.8 1.49 .12 7.70 858.4 169 322 1.91 5.30 856 35.3 3.88 .11 7.80 858.5 170 339 2.00 5.40 856.1 52.7 8.28 .16 7.90 858.6 170 356 2.09 5.50 856.2 64.8 14.2 .22 8.00 858.7 171 373 2.18 5.60 856.3 77.9 21.3 .27 8.10 858.8 172 390 2.27 5.70 856.4 93.3 29.9 .32 8.20 858.9 173 407 2.36 5.80 856.5 108 39.9 .37 8.30 859 173 425 2.45 5.90 856.6 117 51.2 .44 8.40 859.1 174 442 2.54 6.00 856.7 122 63.1 .52 8.50 859.2 175 459 2.63 6.10 856.8 127 75.6 .60 8.60 859.3 175 477 2.72 6.20 856.9 131 88.5 .67 8.70 859.4 176 495 2.81 6.30 857 135 102 .75 8.80 859.5 177 512 2.90 6.40 857.1 139 116 .83 8.90 859.6 177 530 2.99 6.50 857.2 144 130 .90 9.00 859.7 178 548 3.08 6.60 857.3 148 144 .97 9.10 859.8 178 565 3.17 6.70 857.4 152 159 1.05 9.20 859.9 179 583 3.26 6.80 857.5 156 175 1.12 9.30 860 179 601 3.35
Table 4 37

Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refug[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (U

North 

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity, 

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity,

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Elevation,

in ft

Area,

in acres

Capacity,

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Elevation

in ft

855.1 0.00 0.00 0.00 857.6 33.3 6.98 0.21 860.1 724 1,060 1.47 862.6 855.2 .00 .00 .04 857.7 57.1 11.5 .20 860.2 746 1,130 1.52 862.7 855.3 .01 .00 .08 857.8 83.4 18.5 .22 860.3 766 1,210 1.58 862.8 855.4 .02 .00 .12 857.9 112 28.2 .25 860.4 785 1,290 1.64 862.9 855.5 .03 .00 .15 858 147 41.0 .28 860.5 802 1,370 1.71 863 855.6 .04 .01 .19 858.1 190 57.8 .30 860.6 819 1,450 1.77 863.1 855.7 .06 .01 .23 858.2 237 79.1 .33 860.7 836 1,530 1.83 863.2 855.8 .09 .02 .24 858.3 291 106 .36 860.8 853 1,620 1.89 863.3 855.9 .13 .03 .24 858.4 341 137 .40 860.9 868 1,700 1.96 863.4 856 .19 .05 .25 858.5 384 173 .45 861 882 1,790 2.03 863.5 856.1 .27 .07 .26 858.6 413 213 .52 861.1 896 1,880 2.10 863.6 856.2 .36 .10 .28 858.7 436 256 .59 861.2 909 1,970 2.17 863.7 856.3 .46 .14 .31 858.8 458 300 .66 861.3 921 2,060 2.24 863.8 856.4 .57 .19 .34 858.9 478 347 .73 861.4 933 2,150 2.31 863.9 856.5 .72 .26 .36 859 496 396 .80 861.5 945 2,250 2.38 864 856.6 .91 .34 .37 859.1 519 447 .86 861.6 957 2,340 2.45856.7 1.14 .44 .39 859.2 539 500 .93 861.7 968 2,440 2.52856.8 1.43 .57 .40 859.3 558 554 .99 861.8 979 2,540 2.59856.9 1.81 .73 .40 859.4 575 611 1.06 861.9 990 2,630 2.66857 2.33 .93 .40 859.5 592 669 1.13 862 1,000 2,730 2.73857.1 3.05 1.20 .39 859.6 609 729 1.20 862.1 1,020 2,830 2.79857.2 4.85 1.57 .32 859.7 629 791 1.26 862.2 1,030 2,940 2.85857.3 7.77 2.20 .28 859.8 650 855 1.32 862.3 1,040 3,040 2.91857.4 11.5 3.15 .27 859.9 675 921 1.37 862.4 1,050 3,150 2.98857.5 17.5 4.58 .26 860 701 990 1.41 862.5 1,060 3,250 3.05
38 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002 Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refug

[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (U

Pintail North Outlet location 4439197.138 306658.881 Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft 

2.64 852.7 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.14 855.2 141 101 0.71 7.64 857.7 2.74 852.8 .00 .00 .03 5.24 855.3 144 115 .80 7.74 857.8 2.84 852.9 .00 .00 .07 5.34 855.4 146 129 .89 7.84 857.9 2.94 853 .00 .00 .10 5.44 855.5 148 144 .97 7.94 858 3.04 853.1 .00 .00 .13 5.54 855.6 150 159 1.06 8.04 858.1 3.14 853.2 .00 .00 .17 5.64 855.7 152 174 1.14 8.14 858.2 3.24 853.3 .00 .00 .20 5.74 855.8 154 189 1.23 8.24 858.3 3.34 853.4 .01 .00 .24 5.84 855.9 156 205 1.32 8.34 858.4 3.44 853.5 .10 .01 .06 5.94 856 157 221 1.40 8.44 858.5 3.54 853.6 .69 .03 .05 6.04 856.1 159 236 1.49 8.54 858.6 3.64 853.7 2.65 .19 .07 6.14 856.2 160 252 1.57 8.64 858.7 3.74 853.8 4.88 .57 .12 6.24 856.3 162 269 1.66 8.74 858.8 3.84 853.9 7.38 1.18 .16 6.34 856.4 164 285 1.74 8.84 858.9 3.94 854 10.6 2.07 .19 6.44 856.5 165 301 1.82 8.94 859 4.04 854.1 15.7 3.36 .21 6.54 856.6 167 318 1.91 9.04 859.1 4.14 854.2 30.6 5.55 .18 6.64 856.7 168 335 1.99 9.14 859.2 4.24 854.3 46.2 9.42 .20 6.74 856.8 170 352 2.07 9.24 859.3 4.34 854.4 61.1 14.8 .24 6.84 856.9 171 369 2.15 9.34 859.4 4.44 854.5 73.9 21.6 .29 6.94 857 173 386 2.23 9.44 859.5 4.54 854.6 88.2 29.6 .34 7.04 857.1 174 403 2.31 9.54 859.6 4.64 854.7 101 39.1 .39 7.14 857.2 176 421 2.39 9.64 859.7 4.74 854.8 110 49.6 .45 7.24 857.3 177 438 2.47 9.74 859.8 4.84 854.9 118 61.0 .52 7.34 857.4 179 456 2.55 9.84 859.9 4.94 855 130 73.3 .56 7.44 857.5 180 474 2.63 9.94 860 5.04 855.1 138 86.7 .63 7.54 857.6 182 492 2.71
Table 4 39

Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refug[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (U

Pintail South

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity, 

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity,

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Elevation,

in ft

Area,

in acres

Capacity,

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Elevation

in ft

852.4 0.00 0.00 0.00 854.9 10.4 7.99 0.77 857.4 27.0 59.0 2.19 859.9 852.5 .00 .00 .03 855 11.2 9.07 .81 857.5 27.2 61.7 2.27 860 852.6 .00 .00 .08 855.1 12.1 10.2 .84 857.6 27.4 64.4 2.35852.7 .01 .00 .12 855.2 13.1 11.5 .88 857.7 27.6 67.2 2.44852.8 .01 .00 .15 855.3 14.2 12.9 .91 857.8 27.7 69.9 2.52852.9 .01 .00 .17 855.4 15.3 14.4 .94 857.9 27.8 72.7 2.61853 .02 .00 .18 855.5 16.4 15.9 .97 858 27.9 75.5 2.70853.1 .03 .01 .23 855.6 17.3 17.6 1.02 858.1 28.0 78.3 2.79853.2 .06 .01 .18 855.7 18.0 19.4 1.08 858.2 28.2 81.1 2.88853.3 .15 .02 .14 855.8 18.8 21.2 1.13 858.3 28.3 83.9 2.97853.4 .35 .04 .13 855.9 19.4 23.1 1.19 858.4 28.4 86.8 3.06853.5 .86 .10 .11 856 20.1 25.1 1.25 858.5 28.5 89.6 3.15853.6 1.65 .22 .14 856.1 20.8 27.2 1.30 858.6 28.6 92.5 3.24853.7 2.35 .42 .18 856.2 21.6 29.3 1.36 858.7 28.6 95.3 3.33853.8 2.99 .69 .23 856.3 22.4 31.5 1.40 858.8 28.7 98.2 3.42853.9 3.63 1.02 .28 856.4 23.0 33.8 1.47 858.9 28.8 101 3.51854 4.26 1.42 .33 856.5 23.4 36.1 1.54 859 28.8 104 3.60854.1 4.91 1.88 .38 856.6 23.9 38.4 1.61 859.1 28.9 107 3.70854.2 5.58 2.40 .43 856.7 24.4 40.8 1.68 859.2 29.0 110 3.79854.3 6.28 2.99 .48 856.8 24.8 43.3 1.74 859.3 29.0 113 3.88854.4 6.97 3.65 .52 856.9 25.4 45.8 1.81 859.4 29.1 116 3.97854.5 7.64 4.38 .57 857 25.8 48.4 1.87 859.5 29.1 118 4.07854.6 8.32 5.18 .62 857.1 26.2 51.0 1.94 859.6 29.2 121 4.16854.7 9.00 6.05 .67 857.2 26.5 53.6 2.02 859.7 29.2 124 4.25854.8 9.71 6.98 .72 857.3 26.8 56.3 2.10 859.8 29.3 127 4.34
40 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002 Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge 

[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM

Snowgoose A West Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth

in ft 854 0.00 0.00 0.00 856.5 16.7 15.0 0.90 859 35.6 82.7 2.32 854.1 .00 .00 .01 856.6 17.6 16.7 .95 859.1 36.0 86.3 2.40 854.2 .02 .00 .05 856.7 18.5 18.6 1.00 859.2 36.2 89.9 2.48 854.3 .10 .00 .04 856.8 19.3 20.4 1.06 859.3 36.4 93.5 2.57 854.4 .74 .04 .06 856.9 20.1 22.4 1.11 859.4 36.6 97.2 2.66 854.5 2.04 .21 .10 857 21.0 24.5 1.16 859.5 36.8 101 2.74 854.6 2.51 .44 .17 857.1 22.0 26.6 1.21 859.6 36.9 105 2.83 854.7 2.86 .71 .25 857.2 23.1 28.9 1.25 854.8 3.17 1.01 .32 857.3 24.1 31.2 1.30 854.9 3.46 1.34 .39 857.4 25.0 33.7 1.35 855 3.77 1.70 .45 857.5 25.8 36.2 1.40 855.1 4.09 2.09 .51 857.6 26.6 38.8 1.46 855.2 4.42 2.52 .57 857.7 27.4 41.5 1.51 855.3 4.81 2.98 .62 857.8 28.2 44.3 1.57 855.4 5.33 3.49 .65 857.9 28.8 47.2 1.63 855.5 5.98 4.05 .68 858 29.5 50.1 1.70 855.6 6.71 4.69 .70 858.1 30.2 53.1 1.76 855.7 7.59 5.40 .71 858.2 30.8 56.1 1.82 855.8 8.47 6.20 .73 858.3 31.4 59.2 1.89 855.9 9.21 7.09 .77 858.4 31.9 62.4 1.96 856 10.0 8.05 .80 858.5 32.5 65.6 2.02 856.1 11.9 9.12 .77 858.6 33.1 68.9 2.08 856.2 14.0 10.4 .75 858.7 33.9 72.2 2.13 856.3 14.9 11.9 .80 858.8 34.6 75.7 2.19 856.4 15.8 13.4 .85 858.9 35.2 79.2 2.25
Table 4 41

Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refug[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (U

Snowgoose A East 

Outlet location 4440114.771 307229.945

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity, 

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity,

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Pool 

stage,

in ft

Elevation,

in ft

3.54 853.2 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.04 855.7 36.9 40.1 1.09 8.54 858.2 3.64 853.3 .00 .00 .01 6.14 855.8 37.8 43.8 1.16 8.64 858.3 3.74 853.4 .02 .00 .05 6.24 855.9 38.7 47.7 1.23 8.74 858.4 3.84 853.5 .06 .00 .07 6.34 856 39.6 51.6 1.30 8.84 858.5 3.94 853.6 .15 .01 .10 6.44 856.1 40.6 55.6 1.37 8.94 858.6 4.04 853.7 .25 .03 .14 6.54 856.2 41.9 59.7 1.43 9.04 858.7 4.14 853.8 .39 .07 .17 6.64 856.3 43.3 64.0 1.48 9.14 858.8 4.24 853.9 1.21 .14 .12 6.74 856.4 44.3 68.4 1.54 9.24 858.9 4.34 854 2.49 .32 .13 6.84 856.5 45.0 72.8 1.62 9.34 859 4.44 854.1 5.60 .72 .13 6.94 856.6 45.4 77.4 1.70 9.44 859.1 4.54 854.2 8.03 1.39 .17 7.04 856.7 45.7 81.9 1.79 9.54 859.2 4.64 854.3 10.6 2.33 .22 7.14 856.8 45.9 86.5 1.88 9.64 859.3 4.74 854.4 13.5 3.53 .26 7.24 856.9 46.1 91.1 1.98 9.74 859.4 4.84 854.5 16.6 5.04 .30 7.34 857 46.3 95.7 2.07 9.84 859.5 4.94 854.6 19.5 6.84 .35 7.44 857.1 46.5 100 2.16 9.94 859.6 5.04 854.7 22.3 8.94 .40 7.54 857.2 46.6 105 2.255.14 854.8 24.8 11.3 .46 7.64 857.3 46.8 110 2.355.24 854.9 27.7 13.9 .50 7.74 857.4 46.9 114 2.445.34 855 29.5 16.8 .57 7.84 857.5 47.0 119 2.535.44 855.1 30.8 19.8 .64 7.94 857.6 47.1 124 2.635.54 855.2 31.9 22.9 .72 8.04 857.7 47.3 128 2.725.64 855.3 32.9 26.2 .79 8.14 857.8 47.4 133 2.815.74 855.4 33.9 29.5 .87 8.24 857.9 47.5 138 2.905.84 855.5 34.8 33.0 .95 8.34 858 47.6 143 3.005.94 855.6 35.8 36.5 1.02 8.44 858.1 47.8 148 3.09
42 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002 Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refug

[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (U

Snowgoose B Outlet location 4440052.454 307235.314 Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft 

3.27 852.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.77 855.4 15.9 5.20 0.33 8.27 857.9 3.37 853 .00 .00 .02 5.87 855.5 19.1 6.95 .36 8.37 858 3.47 853.1 .00 .00 .05 5.97 855.6 21.8 9.00 .41 8.47 858.1 3.57 853.2 .00 .00 .05 6.07 855.7 24.5 11.3 .46 8.57 858.2 3.67 853.3 .01 .00 .08 6.17 855.8 26.8 13.9 .52 8.67 858.3 3.77 853.4 .02 .00 .11 6.27 855.9 28.4 16.6 .59 8.77 858.4 3.87 853.5 .04 .01 .13 6.37 856 29.6 19.6 .66 8.87 858.5 3.97 853.6 .07 .01 .16 6.47 856.1 30.8 22.6 .73 8.97 858.6 4.07 853.7 .11 .02 .19 6.57 856.2 32.2 25.7 .80 9.07 858.7 4.17 853.8 .16 .03 .21 6.67 856.3 33.7 29.0 .86 9.17 858.8 4.27 853.9 .21 .05 .24 6.77 856.4 34.5 32.4 .94 9.27 858.9 4.37 854 .28 .08 .27 6.87 856.5 35.1 35.9 1.02 9.37 859 4.47 854.1 .37 .11 .29 6.97 856.6 35.6 39.4 1.11 9.47 859.1 4.57 854.2 .47 .15 .32 7.07 856.7 35.9 43.0 1.20 9.57 859.2 4.67 854.3 .58 .20 .35 7.17 856.8 36.0 46.6 1.29 9.67 859.3 4.77 854.4 .72 .27 .37 7.27 856.9 36.2 50.2 1.39 9.77 859.4 4.87 854.5 .96 .35 .36 7.37 857 36.3 53.8 1.48 9.87 859.5 4.97 854.6 1.37 .46 .34 7.47 857.1 36.4 57.5 1.58 5.07 854.7 1.84 .62 .34 7.57 857.2 36.6 61.1 1.67 5.17 854.8 2.42 .84 .35 7.67 857.3 36.6 64.8 1.77 5.27 854.9 3.28 1.12 .34 7.77 857.4 36.7 68.5 1.86 5.37 855 4.50 1.50 .33 7.87 857.5 36.8 72.1 1.96 5.47 855.1 6.23 2.04 .33 7.97 857.6 36.9 75.8 2.06 5.57 855.2 8.41 2.77 .33 8.07 857.7 36.9 79.5 2.15 5.67 855.3 12.2 3.79 .31 8.17 857.8 37.0 83.2 2.25
Table 4 43

Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge [Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (UT

Snowgoose C

Outlet location 4439437.062 307242.261

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity, 

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity,

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

1.74 852.6 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.24 855.1 72.8 75.7 1.041.84 852.7 .00 .00 .02 4.34 855.2 73.2 83.0 1.131.94 852.8 .01 .00 .05 4.44 855.3 73.5 90.3 1.232.04 852.9 .02 .00 .08 4.54 855.4 73.8 97.7 1.322.14 853 .04 .00 .11 4.64 855.5 74.2 105 1.422.24 853.1 .06 .01 .15 4.74 855.6 74.5 113 1.512.34 853.2 .10 .02 .18 4.84 855.7 74.8 120 1.602.44 853.3 .14 .03 .20 4.94 855.8 75.1 127 1.702.54 853.4 .20 .05 .23 5.04 855.9 75.4 135 1.792.64 853.5 .27 .07 .26 5.14 856 75.7 143 1.882.74 853.6 .33 .10 .30 5.24 856.1 77.5 150 1.942.84 853.7 .56 .14 .26 5.34 856.2 77.7 158 2.032.94 853.8 1.68 .24 .14 5.44 856.3 77.9 166 2.133.04 853.9 8.17 .64 .08 5.54 856.4 78.0 174 2.223.14 854 25.8 2.26 .09 5.64 856.5 78.2 181 2.323.24 854.1 59.4 6.37 .11 5.74 856.6 78.3 189 2.413.34 854.2 65.4 12.7 .19 5.84 856.7 78.5 197 2.513.44 854.3 67.4 19.3 .29 5.94 856.8 78.6 205 2.613.54 854.4 68.3 26.1 .38 6.04 856.9 78.7 213 2.703.64 854.5 69.1 33.0 .48 6.14 857 78.8 221 2.803.74 854.6 69.9 40.0 .57 6.24 857.1 78.9 228 2.893.84 854.7 70.6 47.0 .67 6.34 857.2 79.0 236 2.993.94 854.8 71.2 54.1 .76 6.44 857.3 79.2 244 3.094.04 854.9 71.8 61.2 .85 6.54 857.4 79.2 252 3.184.14 855 72.4 68.4 .95 6.64 857.5 79.3 260 3.28
44 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002 Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refug

[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (U

Snowgoose D Outlet location 4439120.602 307229.448 Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft 

1.20 852.3 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.70 854.8 22.4 13.7 0.61 6.20 857.3 1.30 852.4 .00 .00 .03 3.80 854.9 24.1 16.0 .66 6.30 857.4 1.40 852.5 .00 .00 .06 3.90 855 25.9 18.5 .71 6.40 857.5 1.50 852.6 .01 .00 .09 4.00 855.1 27.1 21.1 .78 6.50 857.6 1.60 852.7 .06 .00 .06 4.10 855.2 28.2 23.9 .85 6.60 857.7 1.70 852.8 .14 .01 .09 4.20 855.3 29.4 26.8 .91 1.80 852.9 .26 .03 .12 4.30 855.4 30.6 29.8 .97 1.90 853 .44 .07 .15 4.40 855.5 31.7 32.9 1.04 2.00 853.1 .70 .12 .17 4.50 855.6 32.7 36.1 1.10 2.10 853.2 1.02 .21 .20 4.60 855.7 33.7 39.4 1.17 2.20 853.3 1.36 .33 .24 4.70 855.8 34.6 42.9 1.24 2.30 853.4 1.75 .48 .28 4.80 855.9 35.2 46.4 1.31 2.40 853.5 2.11 .67 .32 4.90 856 35.9 49.9 1.39 2.50 853.6 2.50 .90 .36 5.00 856.1 36.5 53.5 1.47 2.60 853.7 2.94 1.18 .40 5.10 856.2 37.0 57.2 1.54 2.70 853.8 3.50 1.50 .43 5.20 856.3 37.5 60.9 1.62 2.80 853.9 4.39 1.89 .43 5.30 856.4 37.9 64.7 1.71 2.90 854 5.68 2.40 .42 5.40 856.5 38.1 68.5 1.80 3.00 854.1 7.79 3.05 .39 5.50 856.6 38.4 72.3 1.89 3.10 854.2 10.0 3.95 .39 5.60 856.7 38.6 76.2 1.97 3.20 854.3 12.0 5.05 .42 5.70 856.8 38.8 80.0 2.06 3.30 854.4 13.9 6.34 .46 5.80 856.9 39.0 83.9 2.15 3.40 854.5 16.0 7.84 .49 5.90 857 39.2 87.8 2.24 3.50 854.6 18.5 9.56 .52 6.00 857.1 39.3 91.8 2.33 3.60 854.7 20.5 11.5 .56 6.10 857.2 39.5 95.7 2.42
Table 4 45

Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refug[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (U

Snowgoose E

Outlet location 4438535.941 307236.587

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity, 

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity,

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Pool 

stage,

in ft

Elevation,

in ft

0.68 851.8 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.18 854.3 30.7 23.0 0.75 5.68 856.8 

.78 851.9 .00 .00 .05 3.28 854.4 32.8 26.2 .80 5.78 856.9 .88 852 .00 .00 .04 3.38 854.5 34.0 29.5 .87 5.88 857 .98 852.1 .14 .01 .05 3.48 854.6 34.9 33.0 .94 5.98 857.1 

1.08 852.2 .37 .03 .08 3.58 854.7 35.7 36.5 1.02 6.08 857.2 1.18 852.3 .74 .09 .12 3.68 854.8 36.5 40.1 1.10 6.18 857.3 1.28 852.4 1.23 .18 .15 3.78 854.9 37.3 43.8 1.18 6.28 857.4 1.38 852.5 1.84 .34 .18 3.88 855 38.0 47.6 1.25 6.38 857.5 1.48 852.6 2.49 .55 .22 3.98 855.1 38.7 51.4 1.33 6.48 857.6 1.58 852.7 3.13 .83 .27 4.08 855.2 39.4 55.3 1.40 6.58 857.7 1.68 852.8 3.80 1.18 .31 4.18 855.3 40.1 59.3 1.481.78 852.9 4.50 1.59 .35 4.28 855.4 40.8 63.3 1.551.88 853 5.24 2.08 .40 4.38 855.5 41.4 67.4 1.631.98 853.1 6.02 2.64 .44 4.48 855.6 41.9 71.6 1.712.08 853.2 6.86 3.29 .48 4.58 855.7 42.4 75.8 1.792.18 853.3 7.73 4.02 .52 4.68 855.8 42.8 80.1 1.872.28 853.4 8.74 4.84 .55 4.78 855.9 43.2 84.4 1.952.38 853.5 10.4 5.79 .55 4.88 856 43.4 88.7 2.042.48 853.6 13.2 6.96 .53 4.98 856.1 43.6 93.1 2.132.58 853.7 16.2 8.43 .52 5.08 856.2 43.9 97.4 2.222.68 853.8 19.4 10.2 .53 5.18 856.3 44.0 102 2.312.78 853.9 22.2 12.3 .55 5.28 856.4 44.2 106 2.402.88 854 24.5 14.6 .60 5.38 856.5 44.4 111 2.492.98 854.1 27.0 17.2 .64 5.48 856.6 44.5 115 2.593.08 854.2 29.2 20.0 .69 5.58 856.7 44.6 120 2.68
46 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002 Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge 

[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM

South Eagle West Stage Outlet location 4436195.324 308158.066 Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft 

in 

-1.8 849 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.7 851.5 628 588 0.94 3.2 854 1-1.7 849.1 .00 .00 .02 .8 851.6 657 652 .99 3.3 854.1 1-1.6 849.2 .05 .00 .04 .9 851.7 687 720 1.05 3.4 854.2 1-1.5 849.3 .17 .01 .07 1 851.8 715 790 1.10 3.5 854.3 1-1.4 849.4 .36 .04 .11 1.1 851.9 742 863 1.16 3.6 854.4 2-1.3 849.5 .79 .09 .12 1.2 852 769 938 1.22 3.7 854.5 2-1.2 849.6 3.12 .26 .08 1.3 852.1 794 1,020 1.28 3.8 854.6 2-1.1 849.7 11.8 .92 .08 1.4 852.2 820 1,100 1.34 3.9 854.7 2-1 849.8 26.2 2.78 .11 1.5 852.3 845 1,180 1.40 4 854.8 2

-.9 849.9 51.1 6.56 .13 1.6 852.4 869 1,270 1.46 4.1 854.9 2-.8 850 82.7 13.2 .16 1.7 852.5 896 1,350 1.51 4.2 855 2-.7 850.1 123 23.4 .19 1.8 852.6 929 1,450 1.56 4.3 855.1 2-.6 850.2 166 37.8 .23 1.9 852.7 975 1,540 1.58 4.4 855.2 2-.5 850.3 213 56.8 .27 2 852.8 1,040 1,640 1.58 4.5 855.3 2-.4 850.4 264 80.5 .31 2.1 852.9 1,110 1,750 1.58 4.6 855.4 2-.3 850.5 313 109 .35 2.2 853 1,170 1,860 1.59 4.7 855.5 2-.2 850.6 350 143 .41 2.3 853.1 1,240 1,980 1.60 4.8 855.6 2-.1 850.7 385 179 .47 2.4 853.2 1,320 2,110 1.60 4.9 855.7 2

0 850.8 422 220 .52 2.5 853.3 1,400 2,250 1.61 5 855.8 2

.1 850.9 455 264 .58 2.6 853.4 1,470 2,390 1.63 5.1 855.9 2.2 851 482 311 .64 2.7 853.5 1,530 2,540 1.66 5.2 856 2.3 851.1 511 360 .71 2.8 853.6 1,580 2,700 1.70 5.3 856.1 2.4 851.2 540 413 .76 2.9 853.7 1,640 2,860 1.74 5.4 856.2 2.5 851.3 571 468 .82 3 853.8 1,700 3,020 1.77 5.5 856.3 2.6 851.4 600 527 .88 3.1 853.9 1,760 3,200 1.81 5.6 856.4 2
Table 4 47

South Eagle West Stage—Continued

Outlet location 4436195.324 308158.066

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity,

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

5.7 856.5 2,340 8,850 3.795.8 856.6 2,340 9,080 3.885.9 856.7 2,340 9,320 3.986 856.8 2,340 9,550 4.076.1 856.9 2,350 9,780 4.176.2 857 2,350 10,000 4.276.3 857.1 2,350 10,300 4.366.4 857.2 2,350 10,500 4.466.5 857.3 2,350 10,700 4.566.6 857.4 2,350 11,000 4.666.7 857.5 2,350 11,200 4.76

Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge [Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (UT
48 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002 Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge 

[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (UT

South Eagle Gate Stage Outlet location 4436124.546 308288.241 Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft 

-2.16 849 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.34 851.5 628 588 0.94 2.84 854 -2.06 849.1 .00 .00 .02 .44 851.6 657 652 .99 2.94 854.1 -1.96 849.2 .05 .00 .04 .54 851.7 687 720 1.05 3.04 854.2 -1.86 849.3 .17 .01 .07 .64 851.8 715 790 1.10 3.14 854.3 -1.76 849.4 .36 .04 .11 .74 851.9 742 863 1.16 3.24 854.4 -1.66 849.5 .79 .09 .12 .84 852 769 938 1.22 3.34 854.5 -1.56 849.6 3.12 .26 .08 .94 852.1 794 1,020 1.28 3.44 854.6 -1.46 849.7 11.8 .92 .08 1.04 852.2 820 1,100 1.34 3.54 854.7 -1.36 849.8 26.2 2.78 .11 1.14 852.3 845 1,180 1.40 3.64 854.8 -1.26 849.9 51.1 6.56 .13 1.24 852.4 869 1,270 1.46 3.74 854.9 -1.16 850 82.7 13.2 .16 1.34 852.5 896 1,350 1.51 3.84 855 -1.06 850.1 123 23.4 .19 1.44 852.6 929 1,450 1.56 3.94 855.1 

-.96 850.2 166 37.8 .23 1.54 852.7 975 1,540 1.58 4.04 855.2 -.86 850.3 213 56.8 .27 1.64 852.8 1,040 1,640 1.58 4.14 855.3 -.76 850.4 264 80.5 .31 1.74 852.9 1,110 1,750 1.58 4.24 855.4 -.66 850.5 313 109 .35 1.84 853 1,170 1,860 1.59 4.34 855.5 -.56 850.6 350 143 .41 1.94 853.1 1,240 1,980 1.60 4.44 855.6 -.46 850.7 385 179 .47 2.04 853.2 1,320 2,110 1.60 4.54 855.7 -.36 850.8 422 220 .52 2.14 853.3 1,400 2,250 1.61 4.64 855.8 -.26 850.9 455 264 .58 2.24 853.4 1,470 2,390 1.63 4.74 855.9 -.16 851 482 311 .64 2.34 853.5 1,530 2,540 1.66 4.84 856 -.06 851.1 511 360 .71 2.44 853.6 1,580 2,700 1.70 4.94 856.1 

.04 851.2 540 413 .76 2.54 853.7 1,640 2,860 1.74 5.04 856.2 .14 851.3 570 468 .82 2.64 853.8 1,700 3,020 1.77 5.14 856.3 .24 851.4 600 527 .88 2.74 853.9 1,760 3,200 1.81 5.24 856.4 
Table 4 49

South Eagle Gate Stage—Continued

Outlet location 4436124.546 308288.241

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity, 

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity,

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

5.34 856.5 2,340 8,850 3.79 7.84 859 2,370 14,700 6.235.44 856.6 2,340 9,080 3.88 7.94 859.1 2,370 15,000 6.335.54 856.7 2,340 9,320 3.98 8.04 859.2 2,370 15,200 6.425.64 856.8 2,340 9,550 4.07 8.14 859.3 2,370 15,400 6.525.74 856.9 2,350 9,780 4.17 8.24 859.4 2,370 15,700 6.625.84 857 2,350 10,000 4.27 8.34 859.5 2,370 15,900 6.725.94 857.1 2,350 10,300 4.36 8.44 859.6 2,370 16,200 6.826.04 857.2 2,350 10,500 4.46 8.54 859.7 2,370 16,400 6.926.14 857.3 2,350 10,700 4.56 8.64 859.8 2,370 16,600 7.016.24 857.4 2,350 11,000 4.66 8.74 859.9 2,370 16,900 7.116.34 857.5 2,350 11,200 4.76 8.84 860 2,370 17,100 7.216.44 857.6 2,350 11,400 4.85 8.94 860.1 2,370 17,300 7.316.54 857.7 2,360 11,700 4.95 9.04 860.2 2,370 17,600 7.416.64 857.8 2,360 11,900 5.05 9.14 860.3 2,370 17,800 7.516.74 857.9 2,360 12,100 5.15 9.24 860.4 2,370 18,100 7.616.84 858 2,360 12,400 5.25 9.34 860.5 2,370 18,300 7.716.94 858.1 2,360 12,600 5.34 9.44 860.6 2,370 18,500 7.807.04 858.2 2,360 12,800 5.44 9.54 860.7 2,370 18,800 7.907.14 858.3 2,360 13,100 5.54 9.64 860.8 2,370 19,000 8.007.24 858.4 2,360 13,300 5.64 9.74 860.9 2,370 19,200 8.107.34 858.5 2,360 13,600 5.74 9.84 861 2,370 19,500 8.207.44 858.6 2,360 13,800 5.83 9.94 861.1 2,380 19,700 8.307.54 858.7 2,360 14,000 5.93 10.04 861.2 2,380 20,000 8.407.64 858.8 2,370 14,300 6.03 10.14 861.3 2,380 20,200 8.507.74 858.9 2,370 14,500 6.13

Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge [Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (UT
50 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002 Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge 

[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM

Pelican Outlet location 4436102.595 308146.091 Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Pool stage, in ft Elevation, in ft 

in 

-2.12 849.4 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.38 851.9 519 563 1.09 2.88 854.4 -2.02 849.5 .00 .00 .02 .48 852 524 615 1.17 2.98 854.5 -1.92 849.6 .72 .02 .03 .58 852.1 531 668 1.26 3.08 854.6 -1.82 849.7 2.86 .20 .07 .68 852.2 537 722 1.34 3.18 854.7 -1.72 849.8 4.82 .59 .12 .78 852.3 543 776 1.43 3.28 854.8 -1.62 849.9 6.66 1.16 .17 .88 852.4 548 830 1.52 3.38 854.9 -1.52 850 8.58 1.92 .22 .98 852.5 551 885 1.61 3.48 855 -1.42 850.1 13.3 2.99 .23 1.08 852.6 554 940 1.70 3.58 855.1 -1.32 850.2 19.6 4.62 .24 1.18 852.7 556 996 1.79 3.68 855.2 -1.22 850.3 30.0 7.04 .23 1.28 852.8 558 1,050 1.88 3.78 855.3 -1.12 850.4 48.8 11.0 .22 1.38 852.9 560 1,110 1.98 3.88 855.4 -1.02 850.5 79.7 17.2 .22 1.48 853 561 1,160 2.07 3.98 855.5 

-.92 850.6 125 27.3 .22 1.58 853.1 563 1,220 2.17 4.08 855.6 -.82 850.7 195 43.1 .22 1.68 853.2 564 1,280 2.26 4.18 855.7 -.72 850.8 264 66.2 .25 1.78 853.3 565 1,330 2.36 4.28 855.8 -.62 850.9 327 95.8 .29 1.88 853.4 566 1,390 2.46 4.38 855.9 -.52 851 374 131 .35 1.98 853.5 566 1,450 2.55 4.48 856 -.42 851.1 418 171 .41 2.08 853.6 567 1,500 2.65 4.58 856.1 -.32 851.2 457 214 .47 2.18 853.7 568 1,560 2.75 4.68 856.2 -.22 851.3 482 261 .54 2.28 853.8 568 1,620 2.84 4.78 856.3 -.12 851.4 492 310 .63 2.38 853.9 569 1,670 2.94 4.88 856.4 -.02 851.5 498 360 .72 2.48 854 570 1,730 3.04 4.98 856.5 

.08 851.6 504 410 .81 2.58 854.1 570 1,790 3.13 5.08 856.6 .18 851.7 509 460 .90 2.68 854.2 571 1,840 3.23 5.18 856.7 .28 851.8 514 512 1.00 2.78 854.3 571 1,900 3.33 5.28 856.8 
Table 4 51

Pelican—Continued

Outlet location 4436102.595 308146.091

Pool 

stage, 

in ft

Elevation, 

in ft

Area, 

in acres

Capacity,

in acre-ft

Mean 

water 

depth, 

in ft

5.38 856.9 582 3,400 5.855.48 857 582 3,460 5.955.58 857.1 582 3,520 6.045.68 857.2 582 3,580 6.145.78 857.3 582 3,630 6.24

Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge [Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (UT
52 Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002 Table 4. Elevation/stage-area, elevation/stage-capacity, and elevation/stage-depth relations for selected Squaw Creek Wildlife Refug

[Note: Datum is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88); outlet location in Universal Transverse Mercator (U

Bluff Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Elevation, in ft Area, in acres Capacity, in acre-ft Mean water depth, in ft Elevation, in ft 

854.2 0.00 0.00 0.00 856.7 213 316 1.48 859.2 315 996 3.16 861.7 854.3 23.0 1.06 .05 856.8 219 338 1.54 859.3 318 1,030 3.23 861.8 854.4 30.1 3.71 .12 856.9 224 360 1.60 859.4 321 1,060 3.30 861.9 854.5 37.7 7.10 .19 857 231 383 1.66 859.5 325 1,090 3.36 862 854.6 45.9 11.3 .25 857.1 237 406 1.71 859.6 328 1,120 3.42 862.1 854.7 54.7 16.3 .30 857.2 244 430 1.76 859.7 332 1,160 3.49 862.2 854.8 64.1 22.2 .35 857.3 249 455 1.82 859.8 335 1,190 3.55 862.3 854.9 73.7 29.1 .39 857.4 253 480 1.90 859.9 338 1,220 3.62 862.4 855 83.8 37.0 .44 857.5 256 505 1.97 860 342 1,260 3.68 862.5 855.1 94.3 45.9 .49 857.6 260 531 2.04 860.1 345 1,290 3.75 862.6 855.2 105 55.9 .53 857.7 263 557 2.12 860.2 348 1,330 3.81 862.7 855.3 136 68.0 .50 857.8 267 584 2.19 860.3 351 1,360 3.88 862.8 855.4 142 81.9 .58 857.9 270 611 2.26 860.4 353 1,400 3.96 862.9 855.5 148 96.4 .65 858 274 638 2.33 860.5 355 1,430 4.04 863 855.6 154 112 .72 858.1 278 665 2.40 860.6 357 1,470 4.12 855.7 160 127 .79 858.2 282 693 2.46 860.7 358 1,500 4.20 855.8 166 144 .86 858.3 291 722 2.48 860.8 360 1,540 4.28 855.9 172 160 .93 858.4 294 751 2.55 860.9 362 1,580 4.35 856 179 178 1.00 858.5 297 781 2.63 861 364 1,610 4.43 856.1 185 196 1.06 858.6 300 811 2.70 861.1 365 1,650 4.52 856.2 191 215 1.13 858.7 303 841 2.77 861.2 367 1,690 4.60 856.3 196 234 1.20 858.8 306 871 2.85 861.3 368 1,720 4.68 856.4 200 254 1.27 858.9 308 902 2.93 861.4 369 1,760 4.77 856.5 204 274 1.34 859 310 933 3.01 861.5 370 1,800 4.85 856.6 209 295 1.41 859.1 313 964 3.08 861.6 371 1,830 4.94
Heimann and Richards—Topography and Sedimentation Characteristics of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, 

Holt County, Missouri, 1937–2002—USGS/WRIR 03–4211