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Other Info: The
Chariton River forms in far southcentral Iowa, then flows south into
Missouri at Coatsville in Putnam County on its way to the confluence with
the Missouri River near New Frankfort in Chariton County. The Chariton is
the most channelized river in the state, with much of its water diverted for
agricultural, municipal, residential and commercial purposes. In fact, the
river now enters the Missouri River about 10 miles to the northwest of its
original mouth, and it no longer receives flow from the East Fork of the
Chariton, which now is, for all practical purposes, a separate river. Its
confluence is between those of the Grand River to the northwest and the East
Fork to the southeast. The Chariton River flows about 280 miles, about 112.5
miles of which is in Missouri, and is a major north-to-south tributary of
the Missouri River. About 105.4 miles is accessible by the general public
for recreational boating. Thousand Hills State Park is located along the
banks of the river in Adair County. The
river offers at least sixteen public access points above its mouth with
several more in the planning stage and a few others that are private
accesses. The river offers excellent canoeing, kayaking and rafting
opportunities, as well as great fishing. Surrounding wilderness lands offer
immense hunting opportunities for game animals and birds, in addition to
vast areas for nature watching between the Missouri-Iowa State Line and the
Missouri River. The upper 20 miles, from the state line to Adair County
Line, features an unaltered and natural river channel. Beginning in Adair
County, the river takes on a virtual straight-line demeanor, having been
altered for efficient water transfer to the farming communities downstream,
though it still remains a great place for flatwater paddling. While much of
the river above Macon County retains its wilderness state, the area through
Macon and Chariton Counties is farming country, where riverbanks are lined
with pecan groves and cultivated fields. In spite of man's attempts to
control the river, the Chariton River and its surrounding lands remains a
great area for boating, camping, hiking, nature watching, fishing, hunting,
photography and any number of other outdoors recreation opportunities in
northern Missouri.
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