Missouri River

    The Missouri River drains nearly one sixth of the area of the United States, making it one of the truly Great Rivers of the world. Management of the Missouri River for social-economic services (for example, hydropower, flood control, public water supply, and navigation) has resulted in substantial physical changes to the river and associated declines in native species.
    CERC scientists conduct research on the Missouri River to provide information needed to restore and manage the Missouri River ecosystem. They investigate physiology, behavior, habitat dynamics, and population dynamics to understand how management affects endangered and threatened species like the pallid sturgeon, interior least tern, and the piping plover. As well, CERC conducts research on Missouri River invasive species, principally Asian carps.
    Interdisciplinary river studies involve collaboration with other Branches within CERC, other USGS disciplines, Federal and State agencies, academia, and non-governmental organizations. Go to Missouri River InfoLINK and related web sites.

Research Studies

Publications

Population viability analysis of Lower Missouri River shovelnose sturgeon with initial application to the pallid sturgeon

Bajer, P.B., and Wildhaber, M.L., 2007, Population viability analysis of Lower Missouri River shovelnose sturgeon with initial application to the pallid sturgeon: Journal of Applied Ichthyology 23(4), p. 457–464
Research needs and management strategies for pallid sturgeon recovery: Proceedings of a workshop held July 31–August 2, 2007, St. Louis, Mo.

Bergman, H.L., Boelter, A.M., Parady, K., Fleming, C., Keevin, T., Latka, D.C., Korschgen, C., Galat, D.L., Hill, T., Jordan, G., Krentz, S., Nelson-Stastny, W., Olson, M., Mestl, G.E., Rouse, K, and Berkley, J., 2008, Research needs and management strategies for pallid sturgeon recovery: Proceedings of a workshop held July 31–August 2, 2007, St. Louis, Mo. Final report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Laramie, Wyoming, William D. Ruckelshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, 82p
Early Development of Four Cyprinids Native to the Yangtze River, China

Chapman, D.C., Editor, 2006, Early Development of Four Cyprinids Native to the Yangtze River, China, U.S. Geological Survey, Data Series 239, 51 p.
Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the lower Missouri River; A research synthesis 2005-08 (91665)

DeLonay, A. J., Jacobson, R. B., Papoulias, D. M., Simpkins, D. G., Wildhaber, M. L., Reuter, J. M., Bonnot, T. W., Chojnacki, K. A., Korschgen, C. E., Mestl, G. E., and Mac, M. J., 2009. Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the lower Missouri River; A research synthesis 2005-08: U.S.Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5201. 59p.
Use of behavioral and physiological indicators to evaluate Scaphirhynchus sturgeon spawning success

DeLonay, A.J., Papoulias, D.M., Wildhaber, M.L., Annis, M.L., Bryan, J.L., Griffith, S.A., Holan, S.H., and Tillitt, D.E., 2007, Use of behavioral and physiological indicators to evaluate Scaphirhynchus sturgeon spawning success: Journal of Applied Ichthyology, v. 23, p. 428-435.
Geomorphic classification and assessment of channel dynamics in the Missouri National Recreational River, South Dakota and Nebraska: (91512)

Elliott, C.M., and Jacobson, R.B., 2006, Geomorphic classification and assessment of channel dynamics in the Missouri National Recreational River, South Dakota and Nebraska: U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5313, 66 p.
Channel morphodynamics in four reaches of the Lower Missouri River, 2006-2007 (91664)

Elliott, C.M., Reuter, J.M. and Jacobson, R.B. 2009. Channel morphodynamics in four reaches of the Lower Missouri River, 2006-2007. U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report. 259p.
Hierarchical Bayesian Markov switching models with application to predicting spawning success of shovelnose sturgeon (91586)

Holan, S.H., Davis, G.M., Wildhaber, M.L., DeLonay, A.J., and Papoulias, D.M., 2009, Hierarchical Bayesian Markov switching models with application to predicting spawning success of shovelnose sturgeon: Applied Statistics, v. 58, no. 1, p. 47-64.
Flow and form in rehabilitation of large-river ecosystems: An example from the Lower Missouri River (91530)

Jacobson, R.B., and Galat, D.L., 2006, Flow and form in rehabilitation of large-river ecosystems: An example from the Lower Missouri River: Geomorphology, v. 77, no. 3-4, p. 249-269.
Science to support adaptive habitat management-overton bottoms north unit, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Missouri (91606)

Jacobson, R.B., ed., 2006, Science to support adaptive habitat management-Overton Bottoms North Unit, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Missouri: U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5086, 116 p.
Hydrodynamic simulations of physical aquatic habitat availability for pallid sturgeon in the Lower Missouri River, at Yankton, South Dakota, Kenslers Bend, Nebraska, Little Sioux, Iowa, and Miami, Missouri, 2006-07 (91632)

Jacobson, R.B., Johnson, H.E., III and Dietsch, B.J. 2009. Hydrodynamic simulations of physical aquatic habitat availability for pallid sturgeon in the Lower Missouri River, at Yankton, South Dakota, Kenslers Bend, Nebraska, Little Sioux, Iowa, and Miami, Missouri, 2006-07. U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5058.
Factors affecting the reproduction, recruitment, habitat, and population dynamics of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon in the Missouri River

Korschgen, C.E., 2007, Factors affecting the reproduction, recruitment, habitat, and population dynamics of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon in the Missouri River: U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 2007-1262, 280 p.
Reproductive Condition and Occurrence of Intersex in Bighead Carp and Silver Carp in the Missouri River

N/A, 2009, Reproductive Condition and Occurrence of Intersex in Bighead Carp and Silver Carp in the Missouri River
Sturgeon Research Update: Confirmed Pallid Sturgeon Spawning in the Missouri River in 2007

N/A, 2009, Sturgeon Research Update: Confirmed Pallid Sturgeon Spawning in the Missouri River in 2007
A conceptual life-history model for pallid and shovelnose sturgeon

Wildhaber, M.L., DeLonay, A.J., Papoulias, D.M., Galat, D.L., Jacobson, R.B., Simpkins, D.G., Braaten, P.J., Korschgen, C.E., and Mac, M.J., 2007, A Conceptual Life-History Model for Pallid and Shovelnose Sturgeon: U.S. Geological Survey, Circular 1315, 19 p.
Drift dynamics of larval Pallid Sturgeon and Shovelnose Sturgeon in a natural side channel of the Upper Missouri River, Montana (91574)

Braaten, P.J., Fuller, D.B., Holte, L.D., Lott, R.D., Viste, W., Brandt, T.F. and Legare, R.G. 2008. Drift dynamics of larval Pallid Sturgeon and Shovelnose Sturgeon in a natural side channel of the Upper Missouri River, Montana. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 28(3): 808-826.
Design of a naturalized flow regime - an example from the Lower Missouri River, USA (91562)

Jacobson, R.B., and Galat, D.L., 2008, Design of a naturalized flow regime—an example from the Lower Missouri River, USA: Ecohydrology, 1(2): 81-104.
Hydraulic and substrate maps of reaches used by sturgeon (genus Scaphirhynchus) in the Lower Missouri River, 2005-07 (91604)

Reuter, J.M., Jacobson, R.B., Elliott, C.M., Johnson, H.E., and DeLonay, A.J., 2008, Hydraulic and substrate maps of reaches used by sturgeon (genus Scaphirhynchus) in the Lower Missouri River, 2005–07: U.S. Geological Survey, Data Series 386. 442 p.
Land Capability Potential Index (LCPI) for the Lower Missouri River Valley (91510)

Jacobson, R.B., Chojnacki, K.A., and Reuter, J.M., 2007, Land Capability Potential Index (LCPI) for the Lower Missouri River Valley: U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 2007-1192, 26 p., 19 p.