FOREY: Lake Cooley Conservation Area

Cooley Lake was once the main channel of the Missouri River as it flowed along the north side of the river bottom. When the river changed course, a deep oxbow lake was left behind. As siltation occurred over the years, the oxbow became a shallow marshy lake. The area was notorious for outstanding waterfowl hunting, and around the turn of the century, a group of waterfowl hunters from Kansas City purchased the lake and surrounding land for a private hunting area. In 1971, the Kansas City Gun Club sold the property. Under the new ownership, the land was extensively farmed, and the oxbow was used as a waterfowl hunting area and fishing lake. A drainage ditch and levee complex were constructed to gain additional farm acres. This system reduced the integrity of the oxbow by creating seven individual units with only one remaining in near natural oxbow vegetation. On Oct. 23, 1979, The Missouri Department of Conservation purchased 867 acres of land including the oxbow lake. Since that time, an additional 481 acres have been purchased to make up what is now 1,348 acres of public land. Much of the expansion took place along the Missouri River, providing public access to the Missouri River.

To learn more about our forays read our FORAY GUIDE

If you have any questions contact Brittany Martinez or Nathan Athans