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<br /> <br />especially from the Missouri River, and, in some areas, the <br />reallocation of water in Federal reservoirs may be possible. As <br />more rural water supply systems are built or as existing systems <br />increase their service areas, coordination between systems could <br />reduce costs and the need for additional facilities and water. <br /> <br />The Grand River Basin has significant flood problems. <br />Recurring flooding seriously hampers cropping and capital <br />improvements in the flood plains. Annual flooding in the Grand <br />River Basin affects some 370,000 acres, 80 percent of which is <br />farmland. Flooding also occurs in the Chariton, Marais des <br />Cygnes, Osage, and Fishing River Basins. <br /> <br />Problems with urban flooding occur in the subbasin's <br />metropolitan areas and is especially noticeable along flood <br />plains on many streams that flow through developed areas. <br /> <br />More leisure time has allowed subbasin residents to spend <br />more time in recreational pursuits or to expand their interest in <br />natural, historical, or cultural resources. As the public seeks <br />outlets for their activities, existing recreational facilities <br />become overtaxed and a lack.of additional facilities exists in <br />certain areas of the basin. Access to water-oriented recreation <br />areas along the Missouri River and Marias des Cygnes Basin is <br />limited. <br /> <br />Wetlands and forest land acreages are declining in the flood <br />plains. Wetlands have been converted to agricultural or urban <br />uses. Drainage of wetlands may also reduce flood storage <br />capability, nutrient retention, and ground-water recharges. <br /> <br />On the Missouri River, channel improvements have reduced <br />backwater areas, islands, and sandbars. Elsewhere, on <br />tributaries such as the Grand, South Grand, Chari ton, and <br />Blackwater Rivers, channel straightening has reduced riparian <br />habitat. All such action reduces the habitat of fish and <br />wildlife. <br /> <br />Irrigation development is a relatively new opportunity in <br />this particular subbasin compared to the other subbasins of the <br />Missouri River Basin. Irrigation has been limited so far, but <br />the opportunity exists to conduct research in irrigation in this <br />subbasin in an effort to overcome difficulties being experienced <br />elsewhere. <br /> <br />-232- <br />