Upcoming in Rocheport, Mo.
The Cottonwood Conundrum & the Flood of 2011
Presentation by Mark Dixon, PhD, Missouri River Institute, University of South Dakota, Vermillion
Mark Dixon will provide an overview of the “cottonwood conundrum”, the effects of the 2011 flood, and lessons learned about the challenges of cottonwood restoration on the Missouri River.

Young cottonwood seedlings get a foothold after the Flood of 2011 in South Dakota. This photo is by Dawn Sagert and was published in the Sioux City Journal on May 29, 2013 along with this article.
Presentation by Mark Dixon, PhD, The Missouri River Institute, University of South Dakota, Vermillion
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
- 7 p.m. presentation
- lower floor of the Les Bourgeois Vineyards Bistro in Rocheport, MO
- Map and Directions
If you intend on coming early to purchase an amazing dinner at Les Bourgeois Bistro before the presentation, PLEASE call to make a reservation at: 573-698-2300 and…tell them you are with the Big Muddy Speaker Series!
Presentation is FREE and open to the public!
Missouri River floodplain cottonwood forests are a crucial component of the river valley ecosystem along the length of the Missouri River. These forests support diverse communities of woodland wildlife and migratory birds. The conundrum with cottonwoods is that they require flooding to spread seeds and deposit new sediments for seeds to sprout in. River regulation from dams, channelization, and other alterations to the Missouri River channel have greatly impacted cottonwood forests and the hydrologic processes that historically helped to sustain them.
The flood of 2011 occurred after 6+ decades of flow regulation. Mark Dixon, PhD, will discuss the effects of the flood and the degree to which the flood may have contributed to restoration and regeneration of cottonwood forests, especially in upper reaches of the river. Overall he will provide an overview of the “cottonwood conundrum”, the effects of the 2011 flood, and lessons learned about the challenges of cottonwood restoration on a large, regulated river.
Mark Dixon, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Missouri River Institute at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. His teaching and research covers large river riparian ecosystems and plant and avian ecology. He is currently on sabbatical doing research with the USGS River Studies Branch in Columbia.
Directions
- 14020 W. Hwy BB, Rocheport, MO
- Take I-70 to the Rocheport, MO, exit (Exit #115). It’s the first exit east of the Missouri River.
- Head north toward Rocheport.
- After about a mile, turn left at the sign for Les Bourgeois Bistro. Follow the signs to the Bistro. You will probably need to park in the lot above the Bistro and walk the trail down.
- The presentations are held in upstairs in the restaurant. The restaurant is no longer open on Tuesdays but the bar is! You are welcome to bring your own food or snacks.
Resources & Links
Dig in for more info on this topic:
- Missouri River Institute Homepage (USD)
- Research – “Dynamics of Plains Cottonwood Forests and Historical Landscape Change along Unchannelized Segments of the Missouri River” – Published 2012
- Research – “Forty Years of Vegetation Change on the Missouri River floodplain” – Published in BioScience Journal, 2012
- Research – “Status and Trend of Cottonwood Forest Along the Missouri River” – published 2010
- Research – “Projecting Long-term Landscape Change along the Missouri River: Implications for Cottonwood Forests and Songbird Populations” – published 2012.
- Article – “Land of the Lost – Missouri River Ecosystems responding to floods” – by Nick Hytrek, Sioux City Journal, June 8, 2013
- Impacts of the 2011 Flood on the Missouri River Channel – publication by Tim Cowman, Missouri River Institute. Also check out this great powerpoint by Tim Cowman on the subject.
The Big Muddy Speaker Series in Rocheport
is hosted by these wonderful partners.
- Missouri River Relief
- Friends of Big Muddy
- Columbia Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office (USFWS)
- Les Bourgeois Vineyards
- Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge
Click here for a list of upcoming presentations»
Special thanks to Les Bourgeois Vineyards for giving us the opportunity to use their beautiful space overlooking the Missouri River. All speakers are presenting for free! Thank you all for sharing your knowledge with us!
The Big Muddy Speaker Series also takes place monthly in Kansas City and St. Charles.
The Big Muddy Speaker Series is partially funded by the Columbia Ecological Services Field Office (USFWS) and the Mo. Dept. of Conservation.