Missouri's Public Wetland Areas

image of Missouri map showing counties and public wetland areasWetlands once occupied more than 2.5 million acres of alluvial bottomlands along Missouri's river systems. Today, probably less than 50,000 acres remain, and we continue to lose more each year. Protection and enhancement of remaining wetlands and wetland restoration are primary goals of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Listed below are many of the public wetlands the Department manages. These areas provide critical habitat for migratory and resident wildlife, as well as creating excellent opportunities for a host of outdoor recreation activities.

Private wetland help is available

Most of these areas have staff on hand to help landowners with restoration and management of existing wetlands on their land. For more information, call the numbers below or visit any of your public wetland areas. Also see Where to get help developing a wetland on your land for more help developing wetlands.

  1. B.K. Leach Memorial Conservation Area (1,414 acres) Lincoln County, Hwy. 79, 4 miles south of Elsberry to Rt. M, then east 3 miles. Upper Mississippi Conservation Area Headquarters in Elsberry: 573/898-5905
  2. Bob Brown Conservation Area (3,302 acres) Holt County, 2.5 miles west of Forest City off Hwy. 111. Nodaway Valley Headquarters: 660/446-3371
  3. Duck Creek Conservation Area (6,234 acres) Bollinger, Stoddard & Wayne County, Puxico, Duck Creek Headquarters: 573/222-3337
  4. Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area (4,268 acres) Boone County, 6 miles southwest of Columbia near McBaine. Eagle Bluffs Headquarters: 573/445-3882
  5. Fountain Grove Conservation Area (7,155 acres) Linn & Livingston County, Rt. W, 5 miles south of Meadville off Hwy. 36. Chillicothe Office: 660/646-6122
  6. Four Rivers Conservation Area (13,732 acres) Bates & Vernon County, Hwy. 71, 15 miles north of Nevada to Hwy. TT, then east 1 mile. Four Rivers Headquarters: 417/395-2341
  7. Grand Pass Conservation Area (5,296 acres) Saline County, 5 miles southwest of Miami. Chillicothe Office: 660/646-6122
  8. Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area (918 acres) St. Charles County, Hwy. 94 north of St. Charles to Hwy. H & Island Road. Busch Office: 314/441-4554
  9. Montrose Conservation Area (3,979 acres) Henry County, 12 miles west of Clinton on Hwy. 18, then south 4 miles on Hwy. RA. Montrose Headquarters: 660/693-4666
  10. Nodaway Valley C.A. (3,752 acres) Holt and Andrew counties, I-29 to Hwy. 59 (exit 67) then west 4 miles to B Hwy., then north 9 miles to Nodaway Valley Headquarters: 660/446-3371
  11. Otter Slough Conservation Area (4,866 acres) Butler & Stoddard County, Southwest of Dexter on Hwy. ZZ. Otter Slough Headquarters: 573/624-5821
  12. Settles Ford C.A. (6,578 acres) Bates and Cass counties, 8 miles east of Archie on B Hwy., 1 mile south of Dayton on gravel road. Montrose Headquarters: 660/693-4666
  13. Schell Osage Conservation Area (8,633 acres) St. Clair & Vernon County, 1/2 mile south and east of Schell City. Schell-Osage Headquarters: 417/876-5226
  14. Ted Shanks Conservation Area (6,705 acres) Pike County, 16 miles north of Louisiana & 18 miles south of Hannibal. Exit Hwy. 79 & follow Rt. TT. Hannibal Office: 573/248-2530
  15. Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area (3,755 acres) Mississippi County, 5 miles south of East Prairie on Hwy. 102. Ten Mile Pond Headquarters: 573/649-2770