[4] In 1937, the Army Corps of Engineers began to rechannel portions of the Missouri River, cutting off the chute to flowing water.

Today, the refuge is home to dozens of mammal species, including white-tailed deer, beavers, opossum, raccoon, bobcat, fox and coyote.

Bald eagle, heron, duck, belted kingfisher and hawks are known to inhabit the refuge.

[4] Restoration projects also improved sport fishing opportunities by providing better breeding habitat.

Several miles of nature trails provide access through portions of the refuge and a concrete pedestrian bridge crosses over the chute to an island.