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Four Rivers Conservation Area
Wetland Acquisition and Restoration
Purpose: The Four Rivers Conservation Area lies in the floodplain of the Marmaton, Little Osage, Marais des Cygnes, and Osage Rivers and once supported an expansive complex of bottomland forests, wet prairie and riverine wetlands. Subsequent clearing, draining, channelization, and levee construction, reduced the number and quality of wetlands in the region. In 1982, when the first property was purchased by the Missouri Department of Conservation, less than one percent of the region's original wetlands remained.
The purpose of this project was to increase the amount and quality of wetland habitat in the Osage River Basin of west-central Missouri. The project included enhancements on 2,029 acres of wetlands on the East and West Units of the original 6,696-acre Four Rivers Conservation Area in addition to the purchase and development of an additional 6,975-acre Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) tract.
With the completion of this restoration project in 2001, conservation partners have protected a 13,732-acre wetland complex that greatly enhances the historic wetland values of the region and contributes significantly to the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
The Four Rivers Conservation Area is intensively managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation for a diversity of wetland habitats and to provide a variety of wildlife related public recreation to include hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing. For more information regarding the Four Rivers Conservation Area go to the Missouri Department of Conservation's "Conservation Atlas" at http://www.mdc.state.mo.us/atlas/ and type in the area name.
Location: Approximately 15 miles North of Nevada, Missouri in Bates and Vernon Counties
Acres Impacted: 13,732 acres
Habitat: Moist-Soil Wetlands
Bottomland Hardwood Forests
Wet Prairie to include a 227-acre natural area
Partners: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. - August A Busch Jr Memorial Tribute
Missouri Department of Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Missouri Prairie Foundation
AgriDrain
The Nature Conservancy
Gator Pump
Timeline: Project completed in 2001
DU Contact:
Craig Hilburn
Director of Conservation Programs
chilburn@ducks.org
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