Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
Expedition of 1803-1806

In 1804, Lewis and Clark bore witness to some of nature’s greatest scenes. Immense herds of Buffalo, Elk, and Antelopes were seen “feeding in one common and boundless pasture.” Lewis identified species previously unknown to science, including prairie dogs, coyotes and least terns. On August 8, he observed a blanket of white coming down the river -- a flock of white pelicans over three miles long and seventy yards wide.

The Columbia Gorge

Arriving in early June, 1805, at the confluence of the Marias River and the Missouri, just downstream from present day Fort Benton, the Corps was undecided as to which was the real Missouri River. Although there was some support for the northwest fork, since it was muddy and appeared to be traveling farther, others thought that the main stem should be clearer so close to the mountains and the other was meandering across the prairie.

200 years after their voyage of discovery, Lewis and Clark would hardly recognize the Missouri River. Today, white pelicans are rarely seen on the Missouri, and the least tern is considered endangered by the federal government. The campsite where Lewis and Clark celebrated Independence Day is now a cultivated field, farmed to the river’s edge.