Weldon Spring Conservation Area
{{Short description|Nature conservation area}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Weldon Spring Conservation Area
| iucn_category = IV
| photo = Gfp-missouri-weldon-springs-trail-near-lake.jpg
| photo_caption = A hiking trail near the lake
| map = Missouri
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|38.675|-90.769444|display=inline, title}}
| location = St. Charles County, Missouri, USA
| nearest_city = Weldon Spring, MO
| area = {{convert|8398.09|acres|km2|1}}
| established = 1978
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = Missouri Department of Conservation
| url = [http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=7404 Official website]
}}
The Weldon Spring Conservation Area, is a {{convert|8398|acre|km2|adj=on}} conservation area that is owned and managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and located in St. Charles County, Missouri. The area borders the Missouri River, and the Katy Trail runs through the area but is not considered part of the conservation area.{{cite web |title=Weldon Spring Conservation Area |publisher=Missouri Department of Conservation |url=http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=7404 |accessdate=November 9, 2012}}
History
The area was named for John Weldon, who immigrated to the area in 1796 and acquired a {{convert|425|acre|km2|adj=on}} Spanish Land Grant. During WWII The U.S. Government acquired nearly {{convert|17000|acre|ha}} in the area to build a munitions plant. Portions of the Conservation Area were used by the Weldon Spring Ordnance Works, and old bunkers formerly used for the storage of TNT still dot the area.{{citation |publisher=Missouri Department of Conservation |title=August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area |location=Jefferson City, Missouri |date=December 2008}} The area is part of a superfund site, and has been decontaminated. TNT and uranium processing were done on this site.{{cite web |url=http://www.lm.doe.gov/land/sites/mo/weldon/weldon.htm |publisher=Department of Energy |title=Weldon Spring, Missouri, Site |accessdate=November 2, 2012}}
All of the land except the munitions plant was given to the University of Missouri in 1948 for use as an agricultural experiment station. The Department of Conservation originally purchased {{convert|7230|acre|ha}} from the University of Missouri to establish the conservation area in 1978.
Geography
The area currently has {{convert|8398.09|acre|ha}}, which includes {{convert|6752.5|acre|ha}} of forest and woodland, {{convert|744|acre|ha}} of cropland, {{convert|500|acre|ha}} of sparsely vegetation sand flats, {{convert|300|acre|ha}} of grassland, {{convert|66|acre|ha}} of lakes and ponds, {{convert|20|acre|ha}} of glades, and {{convert|16|acre|ha}} of wetlands. The area has numerous limestone cliffs overlooking the Missouri River. The floods of 1993 and 1995 deposited sand on almost {{convert|1000|acre|ha}} of agricultural fields, which now provides valuable wildlife habitat.
Recreation
The area provides a wide variety of recreational activities.
= Hunting and fishing =
= Hiking and biking =
There are {{convert|29.5|mi|km}} of trails in the conservation area. This does not include the Katy Trail, which is part of the state park system. Two of the trails, the Lewis and Clark trails, are open to hiking only, while the Lost Valley and Hamburg trails are open to both hiking and biking.
- Lewis Trail - {{convert|8.2|mi|km}} - hiking only
- Clark Trail - {{convert|5.3|mi|km}} - hiking only
- Lost Valley Trail - {{convert|10.0|mi|km}} - multi-use
- Hamburg Trail - {{convert|6.0|mi|km}} - multi-use