Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge near Fort Calhoun, Nebraska.
Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area along the Missouri River with restored wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands spread across the landscape. A side channel that was once closed now allows water to flow naturally through the habitat again.
A dam built in 1937 for river navigation cut off the natural flow of the Missouri River for more than 50 years. Beginning in 1992, work started to reverse the damage and reopen the water channels.
The refuge functions as a learning space for the surrounding region, demonstrating how to bring back floodplain habitats and the animals that live there naturally. You can see how wildlife has returned after decades when the area looked very different.
The area is accessible through eight miles of hiking trails, with fishing and hunting opportunities spread throughout. The main entrance sits three miles east of Fort Calhoun and is the best starting point for your visit.
The reopened channel is a rare chance to watch a heavily altered river section heal itself naturally. This place demonstrates in real terms how river systems work when given the opportunity to restore themselves.
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