Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:
Restoring the Confluence
“Restoring the Confluence” –Original Presentation by Charlie Hanneken, US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District
September 12, 2012
The historic Missouri River was a completely different river system than what we have today. From a meandering, unpredictable muddy stream, we have reshaped the Mighty Mo into a more stable (but still unpredictable) swift channel.
Before the presentation, the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau led a walk through historic downtown St. Charles.
Meet Your Presenter
Charlie Hanneken
, US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District
Charlie Hanneken, who works for the US Army Corps of Engineers Missouri River Recovery Program, showed how we have moved from there to here and where we may be going. He discussed the reasons for habitat restoration and focus on plans for the Cora Island Unit of the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, a recently acquired piece of public land located just upstream of the Confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
Related Presentations
Resources & Links
Resources and Links
- Missouri River Recovery Program homepage
- Cora Island info
- Great cell phone tour of Confluence sites, including Cora Island (hosted by Confluence Greenway) (pdf includes awesome map of Confluence area)
- Confluence area restoration is honored by Sec. of the Interior
The Big Muddy Speakers Series in St. Charles
is hosted by these wonderful partners:
- Greenway Network
- Missouri River Relief
- Friends of Big Muddy
- Big Muddy Adventures
- Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge
- Big A’s Restaurant
All speakers are presenting for free and Big A’s is sharing the space for free! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us!
The Big Muddy Speaker Series also takes place monthly in Rocheport and Kansas City.
A special thank you to Greenway Networkand Mike Clark of Big Muddy Adventures for making this happen!
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