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Published November 2006 | public
Journal Article

Enhanced stage and stage variability on the lower Missouri River benchmarked by Lewis and Clark

Abstract

Data from the 1803–1806 Lewis and Clark expedition and nineteenth century stage records are used to quantitatively benchmark natural, premanagement hydrology of the lower Missouri River and assess the magnitude and timing of hydrologic change over nearly two centuries. Data show doubling in daily stage variability from the nineteenth century to 2005. Annual maximum stages have, at some sites, become more extreme, and their seasonality is less regular. Observed changes adversely affect riverine habitat and flood levels; their timing, beginning as early as 1900, suggests that channelization is the major driver.

Additional Information

© 2006 Geological Society of America. Manuscript received 23 February 2006. Revised manuscript received 11 June 2006. Manuscript accepted 17 June 2006. We thank J. Boardman, M. New, and R. Rotman for helpful reviews and J. Keirstead for discussion of statistics. D. Cribs (library, University of Missouri, St. Louis) and personnel at the state and regional offices of the U.S. Geological Survey and Army Corps of Engineers were of invaluable help in obtaining historical records. Ehlmann was partially supported by the Rhodes Trust and Keble College.

Additional details

Created:
August 22, 2023
Modified:
October 19, 2023