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Recovery Outline Narrative <br />1 PROTECT AND RESTORE PALLID STURGEON POPULATIONS. <br />INDIVIDUALS. AND THEIR HABITATS. <br />1.1. Restore habitats and functions of the Missouri and Mississippi <br />River ecosystems while minimizing impacts on other uses of the <br />rivers. <br />1.1.1. Restore the diversity of riverine habitats by reconnecting cut- <br />off features along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. <br />Reservoirs on the upper Missouri River and bed degradation <br />below dams have reduced the occurrence of overbank flows to the <br />floodplain and through side channels, wetlands, and oxbows. <br />Bankline modifications on the lower Missouri and Mississippi <br />Rivers for navigation and flood control purposes have further <br />confined river flows. Numerous side channels, wetlands, and <br />oxbows that were once connected to the main channels are now <br />separated. When connected, these floodplain habitats provided <br />important nursery areas for native fishes and provided the <br />primary source of carbon, nutrients, and the raw material for <br />maintenance of the channel morphology. Any opportunities for <br />restoring river flows to the floodplain and through separated <br />aquatic habitats should be pursued vigorously, as it will <br />benefit all flora and fauna endemic to the Missouri and <br />Mississippi River ecosystem. Opportunities include the <br />Missouri River Chutes Project proposed for the Missouri River <br />in Nebraska and Iowa. Here side channels, oxbow wetlands, and <br />floodplain woodlands would be restored in 137 river miles. Fee <br />and /or easement acquisition of floodplain habitats may be <br />necessary as part of restoration projects. See Task 1.2.8. <br />Additional research is needed to identify priority areas and <br />specific needs for restoration. See Task 2.2.1. <br />1.1.2. Implement operational alternatives for main stem Missouri River <br />and tributary dams using simulation models that will emulate <br />precontrol hydrographs. <br />River flows on the Missouri River and many of its tributaries <br />are regulated by dams for economic benefits of flood control, <br />hydropower, irrigation, navigation, water supply, and <br />recreation. Agreements must be developed with the U.S. Army <br />Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and Western <br />Area Power Administration to operate main stem dams so that <br />seasonal habitat conditions are restored to simulate historic <br />conditions while minimizing economic impacts. <br />24 <br />