The pallid sturgeon was placed on the Endangered Species List in 1980. The fish's decline began in the mid 1900's when the federal government decided to convert the Missouri River into a giant plumbing system, where water flow was no longer wild and free, but carefully orchestrated to meet the needs of farmers, cities and downstream barges. The resultant habitat loss and changes in stream morphology have been fatal for the pallid sturgeon. Since 1970, fewer than 20 pallids have been spotted, most near the mouths of the Niobrara, Platte, Elkhorn and Little Nemaha rivers. The resurrection of dams over the years has been especially problematic for the species, as they interfere with the pallid's reproductive processes.
Dams prevent the natural movement of the species and adversely affect their spawning habits.
They also cause alterations in river temperatures by varying the natural flow of the water. The pallid sturgeon is simply not suited for the lowered temperatures, altered flow or decreased turbidity now present in its native waters. The habitat that once allowed these bottom dwellers to thrive, no longer exists. In order to increase the population, the amount of water flow and availability of sand bottoms of the rivers must be greatly improved. The Platte River Cooperative Agreement seeks to increase the water flow of the Central Platte River though the release of water from upstream dams and other water projects within Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, which will improve temperature and flow patterns of the lower Platte and Upper Missouri Rivers.