FLOOD08146

• County: Statewide
• Community: Otoe CountyNebraska
• Stream Name: Missouri River Miles 551.7-555.8
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Hamburg Bend Habitat Restoration / Preservation Project Volume 1
• Date: 8/1/1994
• Prepared For: US Army Corps of Engineers
• Prepared By: Greenhorne & O'Mara, Inc.
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Project

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No previously recorded archeological sites were identified in the files at the SHPO.
Investigation of historic maps revealed that the Missouri River changed its course within the
project site boundaries sometime between 1895 and the early 20th century, The change was
most likely the result of a major event such as a flood. Prior to the change in the course of the
river, it flowed to the west of the project site. However, after the change in course the river
flowed to the east of the project site and continues to flow along the east edge of site today,

Because the Hamburg Bend point bar is subject to flooding, the potential for finding
prehistoric remains is quite low. It is possible that the site was frequented by prehistoric people
for hunting or fishing; however, it does not seem likely that this area was inhabited by them for
any length of time. In addition, the action of the river and the flooding and receding waters has
probably deposited and removed much of the original soil which would have contained any
prehistoric artifacts. It is also unlikely that historic remains would be unaffected by the action
of the river, and therefore the potential for finding historic remains is also low.

The names Taylor and Markey appear on an 1893 map prepared by the Missouri River
Commission; however, there is no indication that any structures existed that would result in any
foundations or resources being located within the project site. It is possible that there may have
been a territorial town in this area; however, there is no indication of this on any maps that were
investigated for this report.

Although the potential for finding prehistoric and historic remains is low, there is a
potential for finding historic steamboat shipwrecks, Sources indicate that steamboats have sunk
in the vicinity of Hamburg Bend, but none on the project site (Chittenden 1987 and McDonald
1925). Several wrecks are documented to the north of the project area near Nebraska City and
several are documented to the south near Peru, Nebraska. It is probable that the. recorded
locations for the sunken steamboat wrecks are not exact; therefore, the potential does exist for
steamboat wrecks to be located in the project area,

The steamboats that are recorded as having been sunk near Hamburg Bend include the
R. M. Bishop, a small steamer, which sank on July 15, 1867 at the Head of Peru cut-off. It was
swamped coming out of the Old River when it struck strong currents in the new cut-off and was
capsized. The cargo was com. The Dacotah Kansas side-wheel, was lost on April 25, 1853,
at Kansas Bend, above Linden Landing. The boat and cargo were total losses. The Ontario
stem-wheel, was lost September 22, 1866 at Kansas Bend, The cause was unknown. It was
loaded with rails for Omaha, The Lizzie Campbell transfer boat was lost on March 6, 1883 near
Nebraska City due to ice. The Edgar side-wheel was lost on March 15, 1884, near Nebraska
City due to ice.

j. Socioeconomic Resources: The nearest municipality to the Hamburg Bend is
Nebraska City, located 8 miles to the north. The 1990 U.S. Census figures report the
population of Nebraska City as 6,547 in 1990. In 1992 Otoe County had an unemployment rate
of 3.6 percent. Public schools in Nebraska City include two elementary schools, one middle

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