The upper Missouri River at Gates of the Mountains, western Montana, north of Helena. A special attraction of the Missouri River is its remote setting. It was the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition, Native Americans, fur traders, steamboats and railroads. According to the USGS the Missouri River is 2,540 miles long while the Mississippi River is 2,340. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Help support true facts by becoming a member. As flooding on the Missouri increases in frequency and severity with climate change, communities need better flood protection solutions. The challenges to paddlers are similar to those found on open water lakes, such as the effect of high winds, exposure to storms and general isolation from shore. Jeff Medley's Missouri River from Beginning to End - YouTube Missouri River Hydrographs Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about flooding. Although the Mississippi can be ranked as the fourth longest river in the world by adding the length of the Missouri-Jefferson (Red Rock) system to the Mississippi downstream of the Missouri-Mississippi confluence—for a combined length of 3,710 miles (5,971 km)—the 2,340-mile length of the Mississippi proper is comfortably exceeded by 19 other rivers. The Missouri River long ago garnered the nickname the “Big Muddy,” inspired by the enormous loads of sediment it pushed through the river system. Rising in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana, the Missouri flows east and south for 2,341 miles (3,767 km) before entering the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, Missouri. Mountain Meadow Restoration in California, Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products in Our Water, Integrated Water Management Resource Center. About one-fourth of all the agricultural land in the U.S. is found in the Missouri River watershed, which provides more than one-third of the country’s wheat, flax, barley, and oats. Sound science and public involvement are the keys to achieving smarter river management that safeguards communities and the environment. The Missouri River is the world's 15 th longest river. List of populated places along the Missouri River. Its significance to American culture past and future cannot be overstated. The Missouri River begins near Three Forks, Montana, and runs until it merges with the Mississippi River near St. Louis, Missouri. Missouri's portion of the pooled upper river is 176 miles long and includes a series of seven navigation locks and dams, which were built in the 1930s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. == Understand == thumb|280px|Missouri River near the Montana--North Dakota border The Missouri is navigable by canoe and/or powerboat from Headwaters State Park near Three Forks, however there … The Missouri River is a river in the western United States.It is a tributary of the Mississippi River.It is longer than the Mississippi River. Fishermen may encounter some rare native species in the area, including prehistoric-looking paddlefish or the endangered pallid sturgeon among some 150 species of fish within the entire Missouri River Basin. It flows for 2,466 miles (3,968 kilometers). Today, the river might be more accurately described as a gentle giant. It’s the second-longest river in North America, beaten only by the Missouri River. This flooding affects several campgrounds near the river and includes County Roads 34, 47 and 51 east of Fort Calhoun. Levees and dams can no longer be the only line of defense. The Osage River is a 276-mile-long (444 km) tributary of the Missouri River in central Missouri in the United States. The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States. With a distance of more than 2,341 miles, the Missouri River is among the longest rivers in North America. For more than 75 years, Congress has directed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to administer flood control, navigation, and irrigation on the Missouri by impounding, channelizing, and dredging the river. However, even a slight upriver wind can slow down your boat dramatically and negate the boost the current is With a drainage basin spanning 529,350 square miles (1,371,000 km ), the Missouri River's catchment encompasses nearly one-sixth of the area of the United States or just over five percent of the continent of North America. Restoration of the Missouri’s floodplains and wetlands, which absorb and store floodwater, must play a critical role in the next century of flood management. We need a smarter, more natural approach. Just west of Bozeman, Montana—where the Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison rivers converge at Three Forks—America’s longest river is born. This adaptive approach will not only cost less to maintain but will also benefit fish, wildlife, and the recreation economy—resulting in a triple bottom line win. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. 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