Portage des Sioux Nature Area
A Confluence Attraction

Contact
Greenway Network, (636) 498-0772

Participating Confluence Organizations
Greenway Network
City of Portage des Sioux MO

Hours
One hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset daily.

Location
Main and Saucier Streets
City of Portage des Sioux, St. Charles County, on the Mississippi River

Directions
(By car) From I-40 West, take Missouri Highway 94 North through and past St. Charles. Turn left at Highway J. Turn right at Commonfield; left at LeSieur; and right at Main Street. Proceed one block to Saucier. Parking is on Saucier.

History
The 40 acres comprising this natural area were acquired in the aftermath of the Great Flood of 1993, which severely impacted the City of Portage des Sioux. A ruined subdivision of 25 acres was combined with a 15-acre common area owned by the community to create the new site. The plan for the area was defined in a series of public meetings, and community volunteers are carrying out many of the restorative plantings.

Current Features
Restored prairie, wet prairie, wetland and bottomland forest areas, reached from a 1.2-mile multi-use gravel trail, are in the final stages of construction.

When completed, this area will feature native wildflowers, spectacular views of the Illinois river bluffs and environmental education.

Recreational opportunities include birding, hiking, biking and fishing.

Future Plans
One-mile trail connector from the nature area to the Katy Trail at the Machens trailhead

Major Funders
Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis
Ford Motor Company
Great Rivers Greenway
Greenway Network
National Park Service Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service

For information about nearby conservation and recreation opportunities, see
http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail (Katy Trail State Park)