Fish and Wildlife

Past

Fish and wildlife are important components of the Missouri River ecosystem. Historically, the shape of the lower river was very different than what we see today, with a shifting, braided channel and abundant sandbars, islands, wetlands and bottomland forests. These habitats supported many birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Flocks of ducks, geese, pelicans, and cranes used the Missouri River during the spring and fall migrations. The piping plover and least tern relied on exposed sandbars for nesting and raising young.

Present

Development of the other authorized purposes has contributed to the loss of important habitat as the lower river was constrained into a single fast, deep channel. The creation of the reservoirs and the regulation of flows have substantially changed water depth, sediment loads, temperature, and nutrients in the Missouri River. Islands and sandbars have been lost or reduced. Many of the chutes, backwaters and wetlands – important breeding and nursery grounds for fish – have been eliminated or were cut off from the main channel.

These changes to the Missouri River have adversely affected native fish and wildlife. For example, the numbers of individuals for many species have declined, including aquatic insects – a key link in the food chain. In fact, 51 of 67 main channel native fish species are listed as rare, uncommon or decreasing in their native range. Still, the overall diversity of species remains stable and migratory birds continue to use the Missouri River.

Several U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) efforts are addressing the need for improving habitat for fish and wildlife. One such effort is the Intake Modification project in Montana, designed to improve the passage of pallid sturgeon in the Yellowstone River, a major tributary of the Missouri.

The Missouri River Ecosystem Restoration Plan (MRERP) and the Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP) are working to restore significant aquatic and terrestrial habitat and to recover populations of three threatened and endangered species negatively affected by the changes to the Missouri River. The three species are the piping plover, least tern and the pallid sturgeon. The Corps is working in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and many other agencies and organizations to restore some of the Missouri River’s natural form and function, creating an ecosystem in which native river species will thrive in conjunction with human needs and uses.