Home / Missions / Civil Works / Civil Works Programs And Projects / Osage River Project

Osage River Study

Description: The Lower Osage Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study is evaluating an array of potential solutions to address the degraded aquatic ecosystem and excessive erosion in the Lower Osage River watershed from Bagnell Dam to the mouth of the Lower Osage River in Miller, Osage and Cole counties, Missouri.

Status: Draft Report is available here, and the public comment period took place in October 2024. The report is now being refined, and will be updated for the Final Report, expected Summer 2025. All comments received will be included in the Final Report. USACE responses to the comments and questions will be grouped by theme. https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Planning-Public-Notices/Article/3922752/2024-003-cw-lower-osage-river-ecosystem-restoration-gi-study-draft-report/

Osage River map in kilometers (Google Earth required to view)

Osage River map in miles (Google Earth required to view)

Project Announcements

Public meetings were held in October 2024 to inform the public about the draft report and encourage written public comments. The presentation given at these meetings is accessible here (.ppt)

Sponsorship

The Feasibility Study portion is cost-shared 50/50 federal and non-federal, and is anticipated to take three years. The non-federal sponsors for this initial step are the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Conservation. The Missouri Department of Transportation is a contributing partner.

If design and construction are authorized and funded by congress, the state or local partner cost-share will be 35%.

Contact Us

For questions or comments regarding the Osage River Study, please email us at OsageRiverStudy@usace.army.mil.

Osage River Project Information

Collapse All Expand All
 Documents/Reports
 Introduction

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a feasibility study of the Lower Osage River area.

 

  •   The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is the project partner.
  •  The project will address recognized problems in the area including bank erosions, side channel flow, and aquatic organism passage at Lock and Dam No.1.
  • The degradation of the ecosystem in the study area has negatively impacted the four federally threatened and endangered species: Pink Mucket, Scaleshell, Spectaclecase, and Pallid Sturgeon.
  • The outcome of the feasibility study will include an approved project recommendation report with a recommended plan for construction, along with associated design and permitting documentation.
  • Benefits to addressing these issues include stabilizing eroding banks, reducing loss of agricultural land, protecting infrastructure such as bridges and roads, and restoring wetland habitats.
  • Potential projects on private property would be included only with voluntary participation.
  • After report approval by the Chief of Engineers, authority for project construction and funding for implementation can be requested from Congress. Project construction is cost shared 65% by the Corps of Engineers and 35% by the state and local partners.

 

 Project Map

 Public Involvement

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with other federal and state agencies, studied known problems in the Lower Osage River in south central Missouri. Problems included channel instability, stream bank erosion, side channel flow, and aquatic organism passage at Lock and Dam No. 1. These problems have degraded the ecosystem, impair public infrastructure, affect landowners, and degrade aquatic habitats. This study will provide crucial guidance toward evaluating and selecting viable options, as well as securing authorization and adequate funding for recommended construction projects.

USACE and MoDNR will hold two public meetings to solicit formal public input on the environmental analysis and recommendations from the Lower Osage Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study. The meetings will be an opportunity for members of the public to submit written comments regarding the study’s environmental analysis. 

Doors will open at 4:45 p.m. for both meetings. USACE will give a presentation at 5:00 p.m. to provide an overview of the study and the draft recommendations. Following a brief question and answer session, the public will be encouraged to submit formal written comments about the recommendation. The meetings will adjourn at 7:00 p.m.

The first public meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the Lewis & Clark State Office Building, 1101 Riverside Drive, Jefferson City, MO. This meeting location is ADA accessible and there is parking adjacent to the building.

The second meeting will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in the Tuscumbia High School Cafeteria, 526 School Road, Tuscumbia, MO. This location is ADA accessible.