Waterfowl hunting opportunities to be limited at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area after river pump fails
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Department of Conservation announced in a Wednesday press release that hunting at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area in Boone County will be limited this fall compared to other years.
The release says the limited capacity for hunters was “caused by the failure of one of the two original Missouri River water pump stations that are critical for water control on the area. Construction efforts are ongoing to replace the river pumps, but supply chain issues have caused a delay in their arrival. Until the new river pumps arrive and are installed – expected in early 2026 – MDC staff cannot control water levels to maximize hunting opportunities.”
“These river pumps supply over 75% of Eagle Bluff’s water, so they are an important part of our infrastructure to help us manage water on the area,” MDC District Supervisor Chris Newbold said in the release. “It is unfortunate to have limited water capacity at this point in the season, but we expect to have nearly half of the normal hunting positions available this season.”
The release says that in a “typical year,” the conservation area relies on water pumped from Missouri River, rainfall and treated water from the City of Columbia’s wastewater treatment facility.
Access to the Missouri River parking lot will be closed for safety reasons during the construction, the release says.