There is plenty of room on the Missouri River. A barge (or other large power boat) will have to travel the center of the established river channel...so you know exactly where they will be. Most of the time a paddler simply works more towards the shore and out of the main channel and lets them pass. An experienced paddler will then line up their craft to take on any waves produced straight to the bow and continue on down river. Most folks find the first experience with a barge to be anti-climatic and much more straight forward than they had assumed. However, you must make sure you never cross in front of a barge that is near your boat. The barge captain simply can't maneuver such a large vessel around you and so you must avoid putting yourself in that situation.

Travel Missouri River