Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:
“Too much water, not enough water – Balancing the 8 ‘Authorized Purposes’ of the Missouri River”
Original presentation by Larry O’Donnell, Healthy Rivers Partnership, Little Blue River Watershed Coalition & Missouri River Relief
Recently four U.S. Representatives from Missouri proposed that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers remove “Fish and Wildlife” as Authorized Purposes for the management of the Missouri River. There are currently 8 Authorized Purposes representing different uses and stakeholders along the river: Navigation, Flood Control, Irrigation, Fish & Wildlife, Water Supply, Water Quality, Recreation and Hydropower.
What are the ways that these different uses conflict with each other? Why would certain stakeholders want to remove certain official uses of the river and what would that mean for the future of habitat restoration on the Missouri River? How does giving away “surplus water” for fracking in North Dakota fit into this?
Meet Your Presenter
Larry O'Donnell
Larry O’Donnell shared his perspectives on these and other questions regarding the politics of Missouri River management.
Related Presentations
Resources & Links
Further research on this fascinating topic.
- Diana Papoulias, PhD, USGS – staff bio
- "Missouri River Researcher to discuss how estrogen-like compounds affect sturgeon" - by Brendon Gibbons, Columbia Missourian, July 8, 2013
- “Columbia Researchers Study Intersex Sturgeon in Missouri River” – by Katy Bergen, Columbia Missourian, Dec. 6, 2010
- “Feminized Fish: A Side Effect of Emerging Contaminants” (audio – Sept. 6, 2012, KAOW)
- FAQs on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EnToxNet)
- "Effects of Endocrine Disrupters on Fish Populations" (USGS) - links to many articles and studies.
- “Emerging Contaminants in the Environment” (USGS) – a wealth of links to articles and studies.
- “Endocrine Disruption” (USGS) - links to articles and studies.
- “Estrogen in Waterways Worse than Thought” (by Allison Winter, Scientific American – June 4, 2009)
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
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