‘Spring Rise' Topic of Hearing by Corps

November 14, 2001

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting workshops and public hearings on whether to allow a "spring-rise" on the Missouri River. The issue is of more than passing importance to Midwest farmers who depend on the river to transport their crop production to ports south.

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Director of Production and Marketing Paul Bertels voiced that group's opposition to a spring rice. "Our purpose ... is to convince the Army Corps of Engineers that this spring rise on the Missouri River will have absolutely no benefit to any of the farmers in the affected areas. None of the scientific theories concerning positive environmental effects has been proven. No one has been able to demonstrate successfully that spring rise would improve or enhance the habitat of the species certain groups are claiming need to thrive."

NCGA believes that one of the more adverse effects of a spring rise on affected growers would be the potential for severe flooding. "Spring rise would occur at a time when the Missouri River and its tributaries would be at their highest levels," said Bertels. "Combine that with springtime storms, high tributary flows and regular reservoir discharges and you're looking at serious flood potential."

Another threat of spring rise is the possible elimination of barge traffic on the river. Higher spring flows would place additional operating restrictions on tows, said Bertels. "Because of the split season of spring rise, the Missouri River would be effectively closed from July to September, making navigation on the river unprofitable and closing a primary vehicle used by growers to get their product to market."

Also, Bertels continued, "use of the river for transportation puts competitive pressure on the railroads to lower their rates. This pressure equates to between $70 million to $200 million per year. With no river navigation, there would be no need for the railroads to keep their prices low."