The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-02-19
The Missouri River

What do we of the present generation know about the
Missouri river-its past history. its forgotten commerce,
its present usefulness, its future possibilities?
Very little! We do know that it has been a bad river
to cross and that the numerous bridges thrown across
that stream within the past decade have been of ines
timable aid to our western settlements. But a river must
be good for something besides furnishing employment to
structural engineers and bridge crews. Every important
river has its potentialities and the Missouri river must
be counted as one of these.
The recent visit of a federal engineer to Bismarck, to
feel the pulse of the river as well as Of the people, has
aroused some new interest in the subject Of river chan
nelization. Ancient river men and modern engineers
have been questioned as to the future possibilities OF the
river. They have all had their answers ready, but the
strange part of it is that most of the answers do not
agree.
Some engineers and prominent citizens say that the
river must be improved for purposes of navigation; 9TH
es assert it is not practical-that it will cost too much
for what we get out of it. Several are calling for river
diversion; others protest that we haven't enough water
in the river as it is.
Some engineers hold out the bright promise that a
series of dams, to hold back the flood waters Of the
June RISE would stop erosion and make the channel
permanently navigable; others reply that the building
Of certain of the dams suggested would be an invitation
to disaster.
No one questions the fact that the Missouri river is
one of the great waterways of North America. Its length
from east 70 west Is approximately 900 miles. IL mas IN
Vulnerable tributaries to the north and south, and to the
west it is limited by the Rocky mountains, where its
source is located. 1t drains throughout its length a total
area of 1920 square miles.
In 1867, 20 years before The Northern Pacific railroad
crossed the continent, Maio- c. w Howell. an engineer
of the U. S. Army corps, spent the summer charting the
Missouri river, and made this statement in his report
to the government:
The commerce of the Missouri, although not equal to
the natural demands OF the country dependent upon it,
Is steadily increasing in importance and will continue its
growth to meet the necessities of our northern territor-
les as their resources are developed and navigation is
rendered more safe and speedy. During the season of
1857. 43 steamboats,, engaged in this trade. cleared from
the port Of st. Louis"
The major further stated in his report that 10000
passengers, carried up and down the river, paid q total
" 81 100000 into the Golfers Of the steamboat companies
for that season alone. and that over 5000 tons q freight
were brought to the forts, trading posts and settlements
On the upper river that year. At that time ~vs-sxtls Of
the mining products Of Montana reached the east by way
Of the river. The river commerce was growing SO inn
portank. In fact. that parties interested in the business
were beginning to recognise the necessity OF = port higl-
~ up the river than st. Louis. Sioux City, then q stray