MISSISSIPPI RIVER IS A TREASURE FOR CAPE AREA

Who among us hasn't heard the old adage "there's a gold mine right in your own backyard?"

Well, for those of us living in Cape Girardeau that's an accurate statement and the gold mine is the Mississippi River. The river flows every minute of every day of every week of every year right out our backdoor. It forms the boundary between Missouri and Illinois and is a natural resource of infinite possibilities.

Many people may not realize the recreational potential the "Mighty Miss" offers.

This time of year migratory birds provide an opportunity to interact with the changing of the seasons. Visitors begin arriving in the fall with the first ducks and geese.

Then the eagles arrive following the duck migrations. On any given day from November to March you can watch eagles soaring, fishing, and loafing in the trees and on the sand islands around Cape.

Groups of river ducks can be seen in the calmer areas of the river look behind dikes, along sand islands, and near the side channels north and south of the Cape riverfront.

Great Blue Herons are always around to watch, and in some of the calmer areas, kingfishers can be very entertaining.

If you're fortunate enough to have a boat, we're approaching the time of year when picnics on sand islands are a wonderful way to spend a lazy day. The river is low now and sand can be found everywhere. With minimal travel time you can find a quiet place to have a picnic, set up camp, set out a fishing pole, or just plain sit.

Boat access to the river fluctuates with the stage of the river. When the river stage is 14 feet and higher at Cape Girardeau, one can access the river from Apple Creek. A boat may be launched at the ramp at Apple Creek Conservation Area in northeastern Cape Girardeau County; it's a short travel down the creek to where it meets the river.

At 12 feet or so one can access the river from the Headwaters ramp just south of Cape Girardeau. You can launch at the ramp and again travel a short distance down the Diversion Channel to where it meets the river.

At 18 feet and higher the river can be accessed from Trail of Tears State Park. Also, there are ramps available at the Cape riverfront, and private boat ramps where you could launch for a small fee. These river stages are merely a rough rule of thumb and will vary depending on the type of boat you have and how the river has changed from one year to the next.

If you decide to launch a boat, remember to make sure you have all the coast guard required equipment and a good radio or cell phone in case of problems.

The Mississippi River provides a wonderful opportunity for family outings, or personal adventures. With minimal travel time you can enjoy bird watching, fishing, recreational boating, or just wandering along the banks of the river aimlessly looking for interesting rocks.

This gold mine in our backyard is available for everyone to enjoy.

For additional information, contact staff at the Missouri Department of Conservation, Open River Field Station. The phone number is 243-2659.