Paddlers from South Dakota are planning a marathon paddling race on their stretch of the Missouri River. It is a very different river from the lower Missouri where the annual MR340 race takes place. The picture above is from the 2008 MR340 Race. I have never paddled on the Missouri in South Dakota.

According to Jarret Bies three course options are considered for the race to be held in September of 2009:

A) North: The Oahe Dam in Pierre, SD, holds back a giant lake that stretches back into Nodak. This route would be high winds and a barren, dangerous landscape. 100 miles plus. More big-water lake than river. Here high winds would almost be guaranteed. The area is all cliffs, prairie, high prairie. Lots of spots the river is two miles wide.

B) Central: This route is the one I have championed, about 85 miles, a city on either end for various logistics, and a grueling stretch at the end, the Big Bend, it’s about four miles by land, where the river doubles upon itself, and on water, it’s a good 35-mile chunk. This area is more river-like, narrower, with some current, not much, and a prairie landscape. Total mileage would be about 85 miles. Option: Add a dam traverse at the bottom, make them paddle another 5+ hours down to a good town/stopping point.

C) South: Starting in Yankton, paddlers would face low-water channel hunting for about 90 miles down to Sioux City, Iowa. Lots of history down that way, and rolling hills, a few trees, some summer cottage areas, too. It’d be great city to start/end, with some towns in between.

My response was: let’s make a race on different river segment each year.

I hope to hear from Jarret soon with more details.

A Guidebook for Paddling the Missouri River from the Headwaters to St. Louis, Missouri