Near Newcastle in Dixon County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Sculpting the Landscape
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 17, 2025
1. Sculpting the Landscape Marker
Because the Missouri loses elevation about one foot for every mile, the waters do not pick up much speed. Instead of cutting straight down through the valley the river winds - or meanders - around high spots, solid rocks, and resistant soils. Behind the dams, the waters slow even more and dump their loads of sand and dirt. Below the dams, the relatively clear waters erode the sandy riverbanks and capture new loads of sediment. As shown below, the river sculpts the landscape in many ways.
❶ Meanders form as riverbanks bounce the river's energy back and forth. Water flows faster around the outside of a bend (arrow). This force erodes the outside channel, while slower water deposits sediments on the inside of a turn.
❷ Wetlands may be created during major floods if the river slices a new channel through the banks of a
this page online
❸ Snags are dead trees that have fallen into the river. They may have been toppled by the river cutting into the banks, or felled by beavers, old age, disease, or other natural causes. When the current hit a snag, it deposits sediment on the downstream side.
❹ Oxbow lakes may form if the water table is high and fills meanders that have been cut off and left dry by the river's main channel. The look like crescents from above.
❺ Islands develop when the river divides and follows both the older, deeper channel and the newer, shallower channel around a piece of land. In some places the river may use both channels only during floods.
❻ Sandbars are created when fast-moving waters loose their energy moving downstream and dump loads of soil picked up from the river bottom and banks.
Erected by National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 42° 42.89′ N, 96° 57.11′ W.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 17, 2025
2. Sculpting the Landscape Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Prehistoric Farmers (here, next to this marker); The Great Missouri River (a few steps from this marker); Mulberry Bend Scenic Overlook (a few steps from this marker); Frost Wilderness Game Production Area (approx. 2.4 miles away in South Dakota); Confluence of the Vermillion and Missouri Rivers (approx. 4.2 miles away in South Dakota); Vermillion (approx. 4.2 miles away in South Dakota); Lewis and Clark / Vermillion
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 17, 2025
3. Sculpting the Landscape Marker
Marker on the right
More about this marker. This marker is duplicated at several locations along the Missouri River.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
