The Missouri River:
Whose River Is This?
at the Lakin Foundation Pier
“I hibernate during the winter here.”
“It’s my river,”
said the Common Snapping Turtle.
“I lay my eggs here.”
“It’s my river,”
said the American Bullfrog.
“I can have up to 80 birthdays here.”
“It’s my river,” said the Pallid Sturgeon
“I’m awake all night here.”
“It’s my river,” said the American Eel.
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FUN FACT
American eels are nocturnal creatures. This means they are asleep all day and awake at night.
Are you nocturnal?
“I hide under rocks here.”
“It’s my river,” said the Crayfish.
“My babies live in the water here.”
“It’s our river,” said the Green Darner Dragonfly.
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FUN FACT
During the nymph stage, dragonflies move quickly through the water by shooting water out of their butts!
NEWS FLASH! The nymphs breathe through their butts, too!
“We grow here.”
“It’s our river,” said the Cattails.
“I migrate to here to raise my family.”
“It’s my river,” said the Canada Goose.
“We play here.”
“It’s our river,” said the kids.
We are a community here.
It’s everyone’s river.
Look out from the pier.
What river community members do you see?
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READ MORE
Check out these books.
Bird, Butterfly, Eel by James Prosek
Bear Came Along by Richard Morris
Over in a River: Flowing Out to Sea by Marianne Berkes
Visit the Council Bluffs Public Library for more information and reading ideas.
Thank you to our partners.
Information for this story was provided by Council Bluffs Public Library
Author: Council Bluffs Public Library
Published: 2025
Be there to see it. Be there to read it.
Location
Whose River Is This?
Animals, insects, plants and people all use the river. The Missouri River is a community of thousands of living things that depend on this dynamic ecosystem for their survival.