Size (acres):  5201.53

River Mile:  177.7 to 184.9; 185.2 to 187.4

Bank:  Right descending bank

County:  Cooper and Moniteau

State:  Missouri

Ownership:  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Acquisition Status:  Acquired from willing sellers between 1994 and 2010 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. The levee 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:  This area, along with an additional 916.7 acres contiguous to the site, is managed by USFWS as part of the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

• The site features floodplain reconnectivity through levee breaches and a large levee setback.
• The extensive river frontage (11 Miles) at this site has allowed the Corps to construct two major chutes and modify the existing dike structures to improve habitat diversity and increase shallow water habitat.
• Searcy Bend construction is located on the southeast portion of the site.
• Habitats on the site are a large scour hole, shallow water habitat, emergent wetlands, mature and developing riparian forests, native grasslands and crop fields. 

Status:  Open to the public.

Site Use:  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 is permitted.  See also the Big Muddy Rules and Regulations webpage.

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 webpage.
• 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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