Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:
Location, Location, Location
Original Presentation- May 14, 2013 – Big Muddy Speaker Series – Kansas City
“Location, Location, Location – How Missouri River geography shapes restoration and management options” –presentation by Robert Jacobson, PhD, Chief of River Studies Branch, US Geological Survey
The past two years of extreme flooding followed by extreme drought in the Missouri River basin highlights the difficulties in managing and restoring this massive river system. Every decision made in Missouri River management seems to have repercussions that affect other uses or stakeholders along the river.
The Missouri River basin ranges over 23 degrees of longitude and 12 degrees of latitude, and in its breadth it encompasses tremendous physiographic, climatic, ecologic, and socio-economic diversity from the snowpack of the Rockies to the arid plains of the Dakotas to the moist river hills of the Ozarks’ northern edge.
This diversity promotes challenges to restoration and management. One size of policy does not fit well in all parts of the river.
Robert Jacobson, PhD, chief of River Studies for the US Geological Survey, provided an overview of the environmental geography of the Missouri River and an analysis of how the very location of the river effects restoration and management options along the mainstem from Montana to Missouri.
Meet Your Presenter
Robert Jacobson, PhD
, chief of River Studies for the US Geological Survey
Dr. Jacobson has been a frequent contributor to the Big Muddy Speaker Series. His presentations always provide a deep and thorough look at the river from a data-based perspective. All who attended this presentation left with a lot to think about and solid base of knowledge from which to draw from.
Related Presentations
Resources & Links
Further research on this fascinating topic.
- Presentation Flier (pdf)
- Collection of Missouri River publications by USGS River Studies»
- Bio of Robert Jacobson, including list of projects and publications»
- “River Corridor Habitat Dynamics” – overview of USGS Missouri River studies.
- “Flood Risk Determines Wetland Restoration Potential Along Missouri River” – USGS Press Release and study – June 10, 2011
- “Scientist questions flood benefits of public lands along Missouri River” – article in Columbia Missourian (July 5, 2011) describing Jacobson’s work studying retention of floodwater by conservation areas.
The Big Muddy Speakers Series in Kansas City
is hosted by these wonderful partners!
- Little Blue River Watershed Coalition
- Friends of Lakeside Nature Center
- Missouri River Relief
- Healthy Rivers Partnership
- Friends of Big Muddy
- Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge
- Kansas City Digital Video
Thanks to all of our venue hosts for making this possible! Click here for a list of upcoming presentations» The Big Muddy Speaker Series is also held monthly in Rocheport and St. Charles.
Upcoming Presentations
Leave No Trace Training on the Barge
October 14, 2026St. Louis, MO
Join us for a special Big Muddy Speaker Series on the Living Lands & Waters Barge where Perry Whitaker will lead us in a Leave No Trace Training.
See Event
Missouri River Relief: 25 Years on the Big Muddy
November 10, 2026Columbia, MO
Join us for a journey through time celebrating 25 years of Missouri River Relief's work on the Big Muddy.
See Event
Plastic Pollution, Gulf Hypoxia, and Water Quality
November 11, 2026St Charles, MO
Jennifer Wendt from MidAmerica Clean Future guides us through understanding regional water quality challenges.
See Event