An Overview of Missouri's Rivers & Lakes

Largest and Most Notable Rivers & Lakes

The Missouri River crosses the state from Kansas City to St. Louis, joining the Mississippi River at the confluence. South‑central and southeast Missouri are defined by clear, spring‑fed Ozark streams — the Gasconade, Meramec, Current and Jacks Fork (Ozark National Scenic Riverways), and the Eleven Point. The Osage River system anchors major reservoirs: Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Dam) and Harry S Truman Lake. In the southwest, the White River chain includes Table Rock, Lake Taneycomo, and Missouri reaches of Bull Shoals and Norfork. Other key reservoirs are Stockton, Pomme de Terre, Mark Twain (Salt River), Smithville (Little Platte), Wappapello (St. Francis), and Clearwater (Black River).

Water Sources & Flow

Missouri straddles the Central Lowlands and Ozark Plateau. Karst springs (e.g., Big Spring, Greer Spring) feed high‑clarity Ozark rivers. Northern prairie streams (e.g., Grand, Chariton, Platte) meander toward the Missouri. Many large lakes are USACE flood‑control and hydropower projects on the Osage, Sac, Pomme de Terre, Salt, St. Francis, and Black systems.

Navigation & Flooding

Commercial traffic concentrates on the Mississippi River and lower Missouri River (ports at St. Louis, Jefferson City, and Kansas City). Flood risk is significant along the Missouri–Mississippi corridor; levees, reservoirs, and floodways help moderate—but not eliminate—extreme events.

Recreation

Classic Ozark “float” streams (Current, Jacks Fork, Eleven Point, Meramec, Niangua) offer canoeing, kayaking, and trout/smallmouth fishing. Big‑water boating and fishing shine on Lake of the Ozarks, Truman, Table Rock, Stockton, Mark Twain, and Smithville.

Missouri Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Reservoirs and Water Features

Mississippi River (MO reach), MO Missouri River (statewide reach), MO Confluence (Missouri–Mississippi), MO Osage River, MO Lake of the Ozarks (Osage), MO Harry S Truman Reservoir (Osage), MO Niangua River, MO Little Niangua River, MO Marais des Cygnes River (MO reach), MO Marmaton River (MO reach), MO Gasconade River, MO Osage Fork Gasconade, MO Big Piney River, MO Little Piney River, MO Meramec River, MO Bourbeuse River, MO Big River (Meramec trib.), MO Courtois Creek, MO Huzzah Creek, MO Black River (MO), MO Current River, MO Jacks Fork, MO Eleven Point River, MO North Fork White River, MO White River (MO reach), MO James River, MO Finley Creek, MO St. Francis River, MO Little St. Francis River, MO Castor River, MO Whitewater River (SE MO), MO Little River (Bootheel), MO Grand River (MO), MO South Grand River, MO Thompson River, MO Platte River (MO), MO Little Platte River, MO Nodaway River, MO Tarkio River, MO One Hundred and Two River (102), MO Chariton River, MO Little Chariton River, MO Middle Fk Little Chariton River, MO Salt River (MO), MO North Fabius River, MO Middle Fabius River, MO South Fabius River, MO Wyaconda River, MO Fox River (NE MO), MO Loutre River, MO Cuivre River, MO Dardenne Creek, MO Moreau River, MO Lamine River, MO Table Rock Lake (White R.), MO Lake Taneycomo (White R.), MO Bull Shoals Lake (MO reach), MO Norfork Lake (MO reach), MO Stockton Lake (Sac R.), MO Sac River, MO Little Sac River, MO Pomme de Terre Lake, MO Pomme de Terre River, MO Mark Twain Lake (Salt R.), MO Smithville Lake (Little Platte), MO Long Branch Lake, MO Thomas Hill Reservoir, MO Wappapello Lake (St. Francis), MO Clearwater Lake (Black R.), MO Lake Springfield (James R.), MO Fellows Lake, MO Lake Jacomo, MO Blue Springs Lake, MO Longview Lake, MO Mozingo Lake, MO Creve Coeur Lake, MO Binder Lake, MO Greer Spring (Eleven Point), MO Big Spring (Current R.), MO Alley Spring (Jacks Fork), MO