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Refuge Headquarters Phone: 573-876-1826 |
This unit was previously the Overton Bottoms Conservation Area managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Now that it is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the regulations have changed. Click on the regulations above for clarification.
The Overton Bottoms South Unit is the largest unit of the refuge. This refuge unit consists of small crop fields adjacent to open fields with a mixture of grasses and forbs. In addition there are large areas of dense young forests consisting primarily of cottonwood, silver maple, willow, and box elder. A narrow strip of mature cottonwood trees exists along the river.
Some seasonal wetlands exist during heavy rainfall periods or high river flows. There are also scour hole lakes remaining from previous flood events. These areas attract some waterfowl and fishing in the scours can be good.
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Cottontail Rabbit |
Wetland at Overton Bottoms South Unit |
Cumberland Church Road and Klein Drive are gravel roads that skirt the south boundary of this unit. The agricultural lands to the south of these roads are not part of the refuge. Look for refuge boundary signs. Some portions of this refuge unit are under agricultural production, but will be gradually returned to natural conditions.
This information kiosk is located about 1/3 mile past the railroad tracks when first entering the Overton Bottoms South Unit on Cumberland Church Road. It provides additional information about the refuge. |
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Getting to the Overton Bottoms South Unit
Take exit 111 off Interstate 70 east of Boonville and west of Columbia, Missouri. Go south 1.5 miles on Highway 179. Turn left on Cumberland Church Road across from the junction of Highway V. Look for Overton Bottoms Conservation Area signs. Follow Cumberland Church Road for 1.5 miles to the refuge boundary. Cumberland Church Road follows the boundary of the refuge after crossing the railroad tracks. When you reach the junction of Klein Drive Cumberland Church Road continues another 1/2 mile into the refuge and dead ends at a parking area. Klein Drive continues along the south boundary of the refuge, at 2.5 miles it reaches the town of Wooldridge where you can access Highway 179. It is not recommended to continue on Klein Drive past Wooldridge as the road conditions are unpredictable and there is no access to the refuge. Visitors are encouraged to use parking areas as parking along the county road can interfere with movement of agricultural equipment.
Sign on Highway 179
