A summary of the Kansas City Corps of Engineers Memorandum of March 2, 2000. 

The first five paragraphs give a brief history of the Missouri River Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project.   The memorandum then continues as follows:

"In 1981, construction of the BSNP (Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project) was declared officially complete.  The project then entered its operational phase, which consists of maintaining the existing dikes and bank paving (rock structures) to elevations sufficient to maintain the project.  The elevation of a particular structure is determined by its intended purpose and its location in the river.  Construction of additional structures is limited to a few isolated locations where changes in the river threaten the authorized project. 

"The design of the project does not require that both banks be paved with rock, only that the outer bank be paved to a specific elevation the area between the dikes is an erosion-deposition zone.  The banks within this zone will move landward or riverward depending on long term average flows.  Sustained high average flow with short term fluctuations tend to result in bank formation.  The existing system or structures will prevent the bank from eroding to the point that the location of the river will change.  Conversely, the erosive force of the flowing water will prevent the banks from moving too far riverward which could unduly restrict flow conveyance.

"In general, the performance of the project is not impacted by minor changes in the location of the banks; therefore, rocking of the banks between the dikes has never been a component of the project.  paving of the inner bank is only accomplished when erosion of the bank threatens the performance of existing river structures or when public infrastructure or a federal levee is threatened.

"Embarking or a program of extensively paving the inner bank   (What about some hard points?) would add a significant component to the BSNP  (Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project).  The Corps has no authority or funding to add this component to the project.  Additionally, a program of spot paving for reasons other than those listed above would divert already limited funding way from maintenance of the existing structures.

"During extended periods of normal to low flows, the lack of active bank erosion can give property owners the impression that the location of the bank  is constant over time.  That perception can lead to construction of improvements, such as levees, cabins, boat ramps, etc., within close proximity to the bank and active river currents.  However, extended periods of high flows can result in bank erosion and possible damage to constructed improvements along or near the riverbank.  It should be encouraged to locate all landward of the high bank, in most cases 400-500' to limit the potential for damage."