The River of Today
The modern Missouri River has been substantially changed from the river that Lewis and Clark traveled 200 years ago. As early as 1819 the United States government initiated programs to determine methods for managing the river, in terms of both navigation and flood control. Over the ensuing years the river has been systematically reshaped and stabilized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Wing dams (rock dikes) were also installed to further control the flow of the river. These structures act to direct the flow of the river to a central channel. This increases the velocity and allows the river to self-scour its channel, minimizing the need for dredging of the river. In addition, most of the riverbank was reinforced with rock to prevent the river from eroding the channel and changing its course. Later, levee systems were constructed along the river in an effort to protect the bottomlands from the high water events that the Missouri River is famous for.
Despite all these changes, the lower Missouri River still retains much of its remote natural beauty. The Big Muddy provides a unique paddling experience, unlike any other river in North America.