Osage Basin

The Osage Basin is one of the largest drainage basins in the state of Missouri. Its main stem, the Osage River is the 8th largest river in the state of Missouri. This basin includes four smaller sub-basins: The Sac, The Pomme De Terre, The Niangua, and The South Grand. The Osage Basin extends into Kansas, where the Osage River's largest tributary; the Marais Des Cygnes River has its headwaters. Sometimes the Marais Des Cygnes is labeled as the Osage River. The Osage Basin serves as the dividing line between the Ozark Mountains and the prairies.

The Basin is also home to the largest artificial reservoirs in the state. The first is Harry S. Truman Reservoir which extends for one hundred miles. The next reservoir is The Lake of the Ozarks. The Lake of the Ozarks extends for ninety miles. Below the lakes, the Osage River meanders until it comes to an end at the Missouri River.

Water Quality

The water quality of the rivers in the basin depends greatly on ones location. South of the Osage River, the rivers are clear and spring fed. North of the Osage, the rivers are muddy, as they flow across loess bottoms. The Ozarks rivers are floatable and are some of the most popular float streams in the state.