Historically, the flow of sediment in the Missouri River has been as important as the flow of water for a variety of river functions. The sediment has helped form a dynamic network of islands, sandbars, and floodplains, and provided habitats for native species. Further downstream, sediment transported by the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers has helped build and sustain the coastal wetlands of the Mississippi River delta. The construction of dams and river bank control structures on the Missouri River and its tributaries, however, has markedly reduced the volume of sediment transported by the river. These projects have had several ecological impacts, most notably on some native fish and bird species that depended on habitats and landforms created by sediment flow. Missouri River Planning describes the historic role of sediment in the Missouri River, evaluates current habitat restoration strategies, and discusses possible sediment management alternatives. The book finds that a better understanding of the processes of sediment transport, erosion, and deposition in the Missouri River will be useful in furthering river management objectives, such as protection of endangered species and development of water quality standards. Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 Introduction2 Changes in Missouri River Sediment and Related Processes3 Missouri River Governance: Institutions, Laws, and Policies forManaging Sediment and Related Resources4 Sediment and Current Ecological Restoration Activities5 Sediment Management Alternatives and Opportunities6 Water Quality and Missouri River Sediment Management7 Science, Policy, and Future Decision Making Along the MissouriRiverReferencesAppendix A: Guest Speakers at Committee MeetingsAppendix B: AcronymsAppendix C: Biographical Information: Committee on Missouri RiverRecovery and Associated Sediment Management Issues