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The Mighty Mo

The Mighty Mo

The Mighty Mo' Throughout our history and even before human habitation, the Missouri River has played a significant role in shaping not only the physical geography of the state but the human geography as well. This episode looks at how the Missouri River has impacted the human habitation of the state and region.

It was the life source for many early Indian tribes and a watery highway for exploration and settlement. It has also supplied the state with energy and water as dams were built for hydropower and irrigation.

Related Resources
Additional videos, activities, and more are below.

Dakota Pathways Home logo - six horses pulling a stagecoach.

Episode Activities

Episode Quiz

Student Glossary

Crossword Puzzle (answers)

Guided Notes (answers)

Discussion Cards

Class Activity: Volume: Gallon, Quart, Liters, and More

Class Activity: Density Investigation: Team Boat

Episode Script

Related Videos
YouTube Playlist with a variety of episode related topics including the Missouri River Dams: History and Safety.
Photo of an art project - an image of a steamboat is stained onto a piece of wood.
Steamboat Tape Resist Art Project
Learn about the sinking of the Steamboat North Alabama in 1870, and create a tape resist art piece.
Brown's Ferry near Vermillion, SD, 1888.
South Dakota: A River Runs Through It
Take a look at the historical story of the Missouri River.
View of the Missouri National Recreational River near Mulberry Bend.
Missouri National Recreational River
Missouri National Recreational River offers 100 miles of practically pristine river scenery.
Small salmon and a couple of eggs are held in a hand.
Salmon At Lake Oahe
Lake Oahe is a popular spot for anglers. However, Oahe holds another secret: salmon. 
Archival photos of the highway bridge over the Missouri River at Mobridge in 1924.
The Missouri River Bridge at Mobridge
The opening of the highway bridge over the Missouri River at Mobridge in 1924.
Little House on the Prairie book cover.
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s The Long Winter
The story of the winter of 1880/81 has been retold in historical fiction and folklore.
Archival photo of the 1881 flood in Yankton. There is a horse and wagon in the foreground, and many buildings are in the background. The horse, wagon, and buildings are surrounded by flood water.
Photos - 1881 Missouri River Flood
In 1881 huge floating chunks of ice jammed the river channel.
Archival photo of a 1916 flood near Yankton, SD. A farm is shown surrounded by flood water.
A Meandering Past
One of the first floods to be recorded at the confluence of the James River and the Missouri River happened in 1881.
Damage shown to buildings after the 1881 flood in Vermilion, SD.
Vermillion Before the 1881 Flood
Vermillion, South Dakota, was among the first towns formed in Dakota Territory in 1859. 

Archival photo of American Island near Chamberlain, SD. Two large bird statues are placed on either side of a walking path. There are many trees in the background.
Animal Mementos of a Missouri River Atlantis
American Island was situated between Chamberlain and Oacoma, and known for its cedar, cottonwoods, and berries.
Archival photo of the building of Oahe Dam. A large dump truck is dumping dirt and rocks near the water. Four bulldozers are moving the rock and dirt to form the dam. Two additional dump trucks are shown in the background.
Building Oahe Dam - 1948-1959
Oahe Dam construction including a portion of the 1958 closure.
Water flowing out of a large culvert.
Building Oahe Dam - Part Two
Emergency tunnels construction used for floodwater release, intake tower, and other structures.
Arial photo of Big Bend Dam.
Building Big Bend Dam - 1959-1964
The Big Bend Dam near Fort Thompson is named for an unusual, horse-shoe-shaped bend in the Missouri River.
A coyote is sitting in a wooded area.
Ghost Forests of LaFramboise Island
The Lewis and Clark expedition passed this island in September of 1804, calling it "Good Humored Island."
Archival map of Goat Island near Vermillion, SD.
Goat Island on the Missouri River
Within the 59-Mile District of the Wild and Scenic River, between Yankton and Vermillion, lies Goat Island.
Zebra mussel graphic with a man's hand holding tiny zebra mussels with a small picture of a zebra next to it.
Zebra Mussels and Why We Should Care
Zebra mussels are an invasive mollusk. Their name comes from the zig-zagged stripes on their shells.
Many zebra mussels are attached to a rock.
Invasive Zebra Mussels Control
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is taking new steps to prevent damage to the dams along the Missouri River.

For more information about

SDPB's educational resources and services,

contact Steven Rokusek at [email protected]

(605)222-3422

(E&O Staff)

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State of South Dakota State Content Standards logo.
South Dakota Content Standards
Set by the SD Board of Education 
Graphic of Zintkala Nuni, the Lost Bird of Wounded Knee, standing next to a cross and flag.
Dakota Pathway Resources
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