LOCATION
The Platte River originates near Spaulding, Iowa in the southwestern portion of the state, and
enters Missouri near the town of Sheridan, Missouri (river mile 146). The Platte River flows
through northwest Missouri, and drains into the Missouri River near Farley, Missouri (Missouri
River mile 391). The 102 River is the largest tributary of the Platte River, while smaller
tributaries include Honey Creek, Long Branch, Third Fork, Little Third Fork Platte River, Castile
Creek, and Little Platte River (Figure 1). The Platte River has a peak elevation of 1,320 feet,
mean sea level (M.S.L.), and elevation at the mouth is 760 feet M.S.L. Within the basin, there is
a mean slope of 3.1 feet per mile (Committee on Public Works 1965).
The basin covers portions of 14 counties. These include Andrew, Buchanan, Clay, Clinton,
DeKalb, Gentry, Nodaway, Platte, and Worth counties in Missouri and Adams, Ringgold, Taylor,
and Union counties in Iowa. Portions of two large metropolitan areas (i.e., Kansas City and St.
Joseph, Missouri) occur within the Platte River basin. The City of Maryville, Missouri is the only
other large city in the basin (population 10,663 people, 1990 Census). The total basin population
in 1990 was 91,491.
LO1
Creston
( S
/
# #
( S
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#
S
#
S
#
S
#
S
34
Lenox
49
148
71
Clearfield
New Market
25
2
Bedford
STATE OF IOWA
STATE OF MISSOURI
148
246
#
S
(
/
46
#S
S
#
N
113
46
169
(
/
136
Maryville
#
S
(S
/
#
5 0 5 10 Miles
King City
48
Savannah
169
'
,
(
/
69
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S
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S
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S
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29
31
6
33
LEGEND
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S
6
St. Joseph
36
31
(
/
US Hwy
'
,
Interstate Hwy
169
Plattsburg
116
116
35
29
33
County Line
Platte River watershed
33
371
45
Streams
Cameron
59
MO Hwy
Platte City
10
Smithville
Cities
69
92
Excelsior Springs
Kansas City
Liberty
Figure 1. Platte river watershed.
LO2