#2: Lower Missouri River

Lower Missouri River | Photo by Derek Hoeferlin

The Lower Missouri River is a critical artery of the Great Plains and plays a vital role in our nation’s economy. But the river is also one of the nation’s most altered waterways. Massive dams in the upper basin and a navigation channel and extensive levee system in the lower basin dramatically impact the health of a river that provides flood control, navigation, irrigation, hydropower, water supply, recreation and fish and wildlife habitat. Increasingly frequent and severe flooding, exacerbated by climate change, puts the river’s communities and residents at risk. Floods have overtopped and breached levees in hundreds of locations in recent years. To protect public safety and taxpayers, states and local governments need to coordinate with impacted stakeholders to implement multi-benefit projects that reduce flood risk and restore lost habitat.