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Physical setting: Chapter 1 in Initial biotic survey of Lisbon Bottom, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

Biological Science Report 2000-0001-1
By: , and 

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Abstract

Lisbon Bottom consists of approximately 875 ha of river bottom along the Missouri River in Howard County, Missouri, from approximately river mile (RM) 213 to RM 219. As used in this report, the Lisbon Bottom area also includes the main channel of the Missouri River adjacent to the Lisbon Bottom and portions of the adjacent flood plain in Saline County, Missouri.

Before regulation and structuring of the Missouri River, riverine areas like Lisbon Bottom were shifting mosaics of dynamic habitat patches that were created and maintained by hydrologic and geomorphic processes. Flow regulation, navigation structures, and bank-stabilization projects isolated Lisbon Bottom from the river by decreasing the magnitude and frequency with which hydrologic and geomorphic processes could alter habitat characteristics.

The flood of 1993 breached agricultural levees around Lisbon Bottom, thereby reestablishing a connection to the Missouri River. Although still affected by flow regulation and the requirement to maintain navigation in the main channel, Lisbon Bottom presents the opportunity to study ecosystem processes and dynamic geomorphology in a setting that more closely mimics the natural riverine system than any other site on the navigable Lower Missouri River.

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the physical setting and processes that structure the riverine ecosystem of Lisbon Bottom and similar areas of the Lower Missouri River. The description compiles available information on temporal and spatial changes at the site, including the history of channel changes and hydrology.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype Federal Government Series
Title Physical setting: Chapter 1 in Initial biotic survey of Lisbon Bottom, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Series title Biological Science Report
Series number 2000-0001
Chapter 1
Year Published 1999
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Columbia Environmental Research Center
Description 19 p.
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype Federal Government Series
Larger Work Title Initial biotic survey of Lisbon Bottom, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (Biological Science Report 2000-0001)
First page 1
Last page 19
Country United States
State Missouri
Other Geospatial Lisbon Bottom
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