Missouri recently became the 39th state to allow legalized sports betting, and the numbers from their first month of operations are staggering, while it still remains illegal in Alabama.

According to a report from Bet Missouri, residents wagered over $543 million in the first full turn of the calendar from December 1-December 31, 2025.

The numbers broke down as a $543 million total handle with a mobile handle of almost $539 million, bringing a monthly total revenue of more than $20 million for sportsbooks.

In terms of wagering taxes, this broke down to more than half a million dollars for the state.

FanDuel dominated the handle with almost 40% of the total, and the numbers are expected to be even bigger moving forward after an “inopportune timing surrounding the launch.”

“This early performance shows that Missouri bettors were eager for a regulated marketplace,” said Christopher Boan of BetMissouri.com. “If engagement levels hold steady and operators continue investing in the market, Missouri will be well-positioned to cultivate a thriving sports wagering ecosystem.”

January runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 1.0 million acre-feet, which is 132% of average. Runoff was above average for all of the reaches in the upper Missouri River Basin, even though most of the upper Basin had below-normal precipitation. This was due to above average temperatures causing early snowmelt.

The updated 2026 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, continues to be below average.

“Runoff into the reservoir system was above average for the month of January despite the dry conditions across the basin,” said John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. “With the below-average plains and mountain snowpack we are forecasting a below-average runoff year for the Basin, resulting in reduced flows from the reservoirs, particularly in the upper basin.”

The 2026 calendar year runoff forecast above Sioux City is 23.4 MAF, 91% of average. The runoff forecast is based on current soil moisture conditions, plains snowpack, mountain snowpack, and long-term precipitation and temperature outlooks.

At the start of the 2026 runoff season, which typically begins around March 1, the total volume of water stored in the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System is expected to be 48.9 MAF, 7.2 MAF below the top of the carryover multiple use zone.

Releases from Gavins Point Dam are currently 14,000 cubic-feet-per-second and will remain low during February to continue conserving water in the System, based on the guidance in the Missouri River Mainstem System Master Manual.

“While the target winter release from Gavins Point Dam is 12,000 cfs, releases were increased to 14,000 cfs in mid-January to mitigate some of the effects of the much colder temperatures across the lower basin,” said Remus. “Releases will be held steady until ice effects stabilize downstream of Gavins, at which time releases will be reduced to the winter release of 12,000 cfs. Flows will continue to be adjusted to the extent practical based on cold weather conditions,” said Remus.

Basin and river conditions continue to be monitored, including plains and mountain snow accumulation, and System regulation will be adjusted based on the most up-to-date information.

Navigation:
Navigation flow support for the Missouri River is forecast to be at 5,500 cfs below full-service for the first half of the 2026 season, which begins April 1 at the mouth of the river near St. Louis, Missouri. The actual service level will be based on the total volume of water stored within the System on March 15, in accordance with the guidelines in the Master Manual. Flow support for the second half of the navigation season, as well as navigation season length, will be based on the storage in the System on July 1.

Mountain and Plains Snowpack:
Mountain snowpack in the upper Missouri River Basin is accumulating at below average rates. The Feb. 3 mountain snowpack in the Fort Peck reach was 81% of average, while the mountain snowpack in the Fort Peck to Garrison reach was 90% of average. By Feb. 1, about 60% of the total mountain snowfall has typically accumulated. Mountain snow normally peaks near April 17. The mountain snowpack graphics can be viewed at: https://go.mil/mr-mtn-snowpack. Additionally, the plains snowpack is below normal in the upper Missouri River Basin.

Monthly Water Management Conference Calls for 2026:
The February 2026 monthly conference call will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, to inform basin stakeholders of current weather and runoff forecasts and the planned operation of the reservoir system in the coming months. Presentation materials will be available via webinar. The call is intended for Congressional delegations; Tribes; state, county and local government officials; and the media. It will be recorded in its entirety and made available to the public on our website at https://go.mil/mr-news.

Reservoir Forecasts:
Gavins Point Dam

• Average releases past month – 13,100 cfs
• Current release rate – 14,000 cfs
• Forecast release rate – 12,000 cfs
• End-of-January reservoir level – 1206.2 feet
• Forecast end-of-February reservoir level – 1206.0 feet
• Notes: The winter release rate will be at least 12,000 cfs and may be adjusted to lessen the impacts of winter ice formation.

Fort Randall Dam

• Average releases past month – 10,800 cfs
• End-of-January reservoir level – 1344.4
• Forecast end-of-February reservoir level – 1349.8 feet
• Notes: Releases will be adjusted as necessary to maintain the desired reservoir elevation at Gavins Point. The reservoir was drawn down to 1337.5 feet near the end of November 2025 to provide space for winter hydropower generation at Oahe and Big Bend. The reservoir will refill to the base of the flood control pool by the end of February.

Big Bend Dam

• Average releases past month – 14,600 cfs
• Forecast average release rate – 16,300 cfs
• Forecast reservoir level – 1420.7 feet

Oahe Dam

• Average releases past month – 14,400 cfs
• Forecast average release rate – 16,300 cfs
• End-of-January reservoir level – 1601.1 feet
• Forecast end-of-February reservoir level – 1601.4 feet

Garrison Dam

• Average releases past month – 16,100 cfs
• Current release rate – 16,000 cfs
• Forecast average release rate – 16,000 cfs
• End-of-January reservoir level – 1828.0 feet
• Forecast end-of-February reservoir level – 1826.6 feet
• Notes – Releases were set at 16,000 cfs in anticipation of the river freeze-in at Bismarck, North Dakota. Releases will remain near 16,000 throughout the winter season to benefit winter hydropower generation and to better balance storage in the upper three reservoirs.

Fort Peck Dam

• Average releases past month – 5,000 cfs
• Current release rate – 5,000 cfs
• Forecast average release rate – 5,000 cfs
• End-of-January reservoir level – 2221.7 feet
• Forecast end-of-February reservoir level – 2221.9 feet
• Notes: Releases will remain at 5,000 cfs in February.
• The forecast reservoir releases and elevations discussed above are not definitive. Additional precipitation, lack of precipitation or other circumstances could cause adjustments to the reservoir release rates.

Hydropower:
The six mainstem power plants generated 476 million kWh of electricity in January. Typical energy generation in January is 704 million kWh. Forecast generation for 2026 is 7.6 billion kWh compared to the long-term average of 9.3 billion kWh.
To view the detailed three-week release forecast for the mainstem dams, go to https://go.mil/mr-3wk-fcast.

The Women Legislators of Missouri Caucus is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program for female high school seniors.

The program awards $1,000 scholarships to help offset the costs of college or post-secondary education, according to a community announcement.

Female seniors who are interested in applying must be a Missouri high school senior, a U.S. citizen and set to graduate from a public, private or home school in 2026. Applicants are required to submit a 500-word essay and a biography highlighting academic, leadership or community service experiences.

Applications are open through March 23. The application link is available online at My Scholarship Central.

Bipartisan caucus offers scholarships

The caucus is a bipartisan group of women serving in the Missouri House and Senate. Members partner to raise money for the scholarships and honor the recipients at a recognition ceremony at the State Capitol.

“As female elected leaders, it’s our goal to help young women pursue their career goals and expand their leadership skills,” Sen. Maggie Nurrenburn said in the announcement.

The program is an opportunity for young women to earn a scholarship and meet women leaders and legislators from across the state at the annual award ceremony, she added in the announcement.

Rep. Sherri Gallick said that the program also helps bring attention to enterprising and community-involved young women across the state and connects them to legislative leaders from their districts and beyond,

“It’s our hope these awards can be a springboard to the next step in their future careers,” Gallick said in the announcement.

This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@usatodayco.com with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.