Inventory and Analysis Summary Report: Northern Missouri River Tributaries Basin, Iowa and Missouri

Excerpts from the report: The Northern Missouri River Tributaries Basin includes the drainage areas of the Tarkio, Nodaway, Platte, Grand, and Chariton Rivers, which originate in Iowa and flow south across Missouri into the Missouri River. The remainder of the basin is drained by streams originating in Missouri and flowing directly into the Missouri River. The streams and rivers of the basin drain 4,988 square miles in Iowa and 13,551 square miles in Missouri or a total of 18,539 square miles. It includes 13 U.S. Water Resources Hydrologic Units. The 18,539 square miles of land and water are used in producing food, fiber, minerals, energy, recreation, wildlife, and other amenities. The depletion of the natural resource base, over time, and the conflicts among uses are major concerns of this study. This study was conducted in accordance with the Principles and Standards for Planning Water and Related Land Resources issued by the Water Resources Council, the President’s Water Quality Directives and the USDA Procedures for Planning Water and Related Land Resources, under Section 6 of PL 83-566. The purpose of water and land resource planning is to promote quality of life by reflecting society's preference for attainment of: (1) National economic development enhancement by increasing the value of the Nation's output of goods and services and improving national economic efficiency. (2) Environmental quality enhancement through the management, conservation, preservation, creation, restoration, or improvement of the quality of certain natural and cultural resources and ecological systems.