Flooding should not always stop park progress.

At page 21 of the current issue of Missouri Resources published by our Department of Natural Resources there is a nice article by Tom Uhlenbrock describing Confluence Point State Park located where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers converge. (The link has a video.) The park is named after benefactors Edward "Ted" Jones and Pat Jones. Efforts there include cooperation from various state and federal agencies. 

Noteworthy is the fact that large segments of the park, including the roads, are covered during high water. This is not seen as a disadvantage or deterrent to restoration. The author points out that the flooding creates "a vast welcome mat for migrating waterfowl in winter and a home for resident species year round."

Why is a nice river resource like Confluence Point State Park accepted as a treasure by so many, but some folks in Jefferson City get all bent out of shape because Adrian's Island would be partially submerged during high water? History reflects that large sections of the park would be unusable about 15% of the time. As shown by the Confluence Point project, land in the floodplain can be a valuable resource for the community when managed appropriately.