Missouri Highway102
East Prairie, Missouri
573-649-2770
Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area is a 3,755-acre area that was once a lowland hardwood forest intermingled with cypress sloughs. Most of the area is flooded seasonally and was an important habitat for wintering waterfowl, furbearers, eagles, and other wildlife species. Management of the area began in 1982 and is aimed at reestablishing wetland habitat, which was lost when the land was drained and converted to agricultural use over the previous century. Over 1,000 acres of this wetland habitat is managed through the manipulation of water levels to provide high quality natural foods, such as millets, smartweed, sprangletop, sedges, and invertebrates. These food resources are highly sought after by migrating and wintering waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wetland wildlife species. Row crops and green browse are grown on the area to provide nutritious food for geese and field-feeding species of ducks. Visitors can view wildlife from the handicapped accessible Richard T. Reed Observation Platform located at the C/D parking lot. Duck and goose hunting and viewing waterfowl are the most popular outdoor activities on the area. Bald eagles are common on the area from late fall through early spring. Visitors should use extreme caution while boating or wading, because deep water and hazardous conditions are possible when the area is flooded.
Bird Watching
Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area is a primarily seasonal wetland intended to provide habitat for migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Ten Mile Pond is unique in that nearly half of the area is a wildlife refuge that does not allow hunting. The best way to view the interior wetlands is by walking along the levee system. You will see Snow Goose, Gadwall, and Blue-winged Teal in great numbers. A large variety of shorebirds arrive in early spring to take advantage of invertebrate-rich mudflats and the area is also a great place for a variety of terns. The Audubon Society of Missouri maintains a checklist for birds that can be seen in this area.
Visiting the Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area
Hours:
4 am - 10 pm
There is no charge to visit the Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area
Learn more about the nearby community of East Prairie
Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area - The official website of the Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area maintained by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.