Size (acres):  469.65

River Mile:  281 to 282.7; 283.1; and 290.1 to 290.6

Bank:  Right descending bank

County:  Saline and Lafayette

State:  Missouri

Ownership:  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Acquisition Status:  Acquired from willing sellers in 2008, 2013 and 2014, under Water Resources Development Acts 1986 and 1999 authorizations.

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

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.

Description:  The Cranberry Bend site is comprised of three tracts, two between river miles 280.8 and 283.3 (444.5 acres) in Saline County and one tract between river miles 290.1 and 290.6 (25.15 acres) in Lafayette County.

• Some of the habitats on the site include a side channel chute, 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: 

• For lands managed by the USFWS, contact the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge at (800) 611-1826 or visit the USFWS Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife webpage.
• For Corp-managed lands or for additional information, 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#

[viewing instructions]