With a basin that covers all or portions of ten states and two Canadian provinces, the Missouri River stretches over 2,300 miles from central Montana, to its confluence with the Mississippi River, making it the longest river in the United States.
Six dams and reservoir projects make up the Missouri River reservoir system. Each of the projects were constructed by the federal government and are operated and maintained by the Corps of Engineers for the purposes of flood control, water supply, recreation, irrigation, hydropower, water quality, fish and wildlife, and navigation. Harnessing the Missouri River has brought substantial economic, environmental, and social benefits to North Dakota and the other states.
For decades, the State of North Dakota has worked diligently to protect and develop its interests in the Missouri River, while recognizing that our state makes up only a portion of the basin as a whole. North Dakota has supported cooperative basin-wide efforts that strive to balance the varied interests. At the same time, North Dakota will continue to affirm that the state will utilize the Missouri River for beneficial use by its citizens.
The Missouri River is the state’s most valuable and readily available water source, and it is needed for a broad spectrum of beneficial uses, such as irrigation, drinking water supplies, and industry.
Information
For more information on the Missouri River Basin, please call (701) 328-2752.