Size (acres):  1238

River Mile:  2.7 to 6.4

Bank:  Left descending bank

County:  St. Charles

State:  Missouri

Ownership:  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Acquisition Status:  Acquired from willing sellers in 2008, under Water Resources Development Acts 1986 and 1999 authorizations.

On-Site Management:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) administers and/or performs operation and maintenance activities on behalf of the Corps according to the terms of various agreements.  The area is currently managed by the USFWS as part of their Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

Site Access: 

• Motor vehicles are restricted to established roadways and parking areas.
• A levee system is present on the site and is not an established roadway for public access to the site. Do not block farm roads, drive on levee slopes or along or across the levee crown. 
• Do not illegally trespass on adjacent private lands to access the site.
• Side channels constructed in 2016 restrict access without a boat.

Description:  The Cora Island site includes over 3 miles of river frontage and occupies an area that is  mostly on a remnant island of the Missouri River.

• Some of the habitats on the site are scour holes, cutoff river channel, emergent wetlands, mature and developing riparian forests and crop fields.
• The Corps and USFWS are currently implementing the environmental restoration plan for this area.  Construction has recently been completed.

Status:  Open to the public.

Site Use:  Part of the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. When open, the area is available for a variety of outdoor activities including bird watching, hiking, fishing and hunting (under special regulations).

Site-use Regulations:  

• People visiting these areas must comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including hunting, fishing, etc.  In general Title 36 Part 327 of the Code of Federal Regulations governs the use of Corps property.  Other regulations may apply to properties owned by other federal agencies.
• Special regulations and restrictions may be posted on site.

Special-use Regulations:  No target shooting or primitive camping permitted.

Contact Information: 

• Contact the USFWS Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge at (800) 611-1826 or visit the USFWS Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife web page.
• For additional information, also contact the Corps' Missouri River Area Office at (816) 240-8131.

Story Maps Link:  http://rsgisias.crrel.usace.army.mil/story_maps/nwo/mrrp/index.html#

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