About Us

Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge was authorized in 1992 and established in 1997 to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat in and along the Missouri River. At Boyer Chute, the namesake side channel was restored after being blocked in 1937 to aid riverboat navigation. Following restoration, many of the wildlife species that historically utilized the land began to return and flourish in the area. At Boyer Chute visitors enjoy hiking and birding along the nearly 8 miles of hiking trails, hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey in the bottomland forests, and fishing along the restored chute.

Our Mission

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Our Purpose

Every national wildlife refuge was created for a special purpose. Some were created to protect migratory birds, others to protect threatened or endangered species or unique habitats, while others fulfill another special purpose. All activities allowed on refuges must be evaluated to make sure each activity will not conflict with the reason the refuge was founded.

The purpose of Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge is for the conservation, management, and restoration of the fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats along the Missouri River floodplain for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Our History

1937 – Before the refuge was established, a revetment and shale dikes were constructed across the upstream end of Boyer Chute, cutting off the natural flow of the Missouri River through the chute.

August 1992 – The Boyer Bend of the Missouri River and its chute were recognized as a high priority conservation restoration site, authorizing the establishment of Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge.

1994 – The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resource District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers complete the restoration of the Boyer Chute side channel, making it the first side-channel restoration project of the Missouri River

September 1997 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service takes over ownership of Boyer Chute, officially establishing it as a National Wildlife Refuge.