Author name: Marek

South Dakota Paddling Challenge?

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.

Three course options are considered:
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.

12 Pictures from 2008 Missouri River 340 Race

I was paddling 2008 Missouri River 340 Race basically self supported. My wife, Connie, drove with me to Missouri, but showed up on the river only three times including the race start at Kaw Point, Coopers Landing and the race finish at St Charles. Nevertheless, she shot some nice pictures, mostly people oriented.

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