10
OZARK TOPOGRAPHY
IN an early chapter, any temptation to define the Ozarks concisely was successfully avoided, but during the evasive action maneuvering, reference was made to the rugged topography of the area as one of the many distinctive features.
The rugged topography is not always obvious to the tourist because some of the major highways follow gently rolling upland divides between the major drainage systems. Such conditions are exemplified by 1-44, which from St. Clair to the Rolla-St. James area follows the divide between the Meramec and Bourbeuse rivers and from Hazelgreen to near Springfield generally follows the divide between the Osage and Gasconade or White river drainages. Highway 60 from Springfield to near Van Buren follows a major divide; thus, a tourist driving this route gains the same false impression as along much of 1-44, that the Ozark area is relatively smooth. Were he to go a short distance off the highway on either side, his impression would be modified considerably!
The vertical distance between an Ozark stream and the adjacent uplands is commonly as great as 400 feet, and in the vicinity of Ironton and the Arcadia Valley, the vertical distance between knobs and lowlands is as great as 800 feet. This vertical distance, or local relief, exceeds 500 feet in the White River country and in the Current River country from Eminence to the Arkansas line.
The Ozarks cannot be defined as being a large area, all of which is higher than the remainder of Missouri. It is true that the porphyry knob, Taum Sauk Mountain in Iron County, is the highest point in Missouri, with an elevation of 1772 feet above sea level, and that large areas in the Ozarks are at an elevation of over 1400 feet; but there are also appreciable areas less than 1000 feet above sea level within this area, whereas outside the Ozarks significant areas in Missouri are at elevations exceeding 1200 feet. To summarize the characteristics of local relief, one can say that although the Ozarks are not necessarily higher above sea level than many areas in Missouri, they are much more rugged.
Missouri is amply endowed with Pilot Knobs as well as sufficient Mt. Pisgahs and Mt. Nebos to keep Moses on the binoculars for several years. In addition to the Pilot Knob in Iron County, at least eight others are named on topographic maps in the Missouri
Ozarks. These were probably so named because of their use for pilotage, the form of navigation utilizing prominent landmarks, in the days when the Ozarks were not blessed with signboards and neon lights.
Despite some local false doctrine, Phelps County's Pilot Knob (elevation 1239 feet above sea level) is not the highest point in the county. This honor goes to Blue Knob in the extreme southeast corner of Phelps County in Section 36, T36N, R6W. Its crest is still
below the tree line at 1288 feet.
“The rugged topography is not always obvious to the tourist.”
Off Highway 63 near Pilot Knob.
“The vertical distance between and Ozark stream and the adjacent uplands is commonly as great as 400 feet”
From Riddle Bridge near Waynesville, Missouri.
“Pilot Knob … is not the highest point in the county.”
Pilot Knob, south of Rolla.
“This honor goes to Blue Knob. … Its crest is still below the tree line at 1288 feet.”
Blue Knob in Phelps County.