The Upper Gasconade Watershed spans an area of 2,218 square miles and is located in southwestern Missouri. The watershed is characterized by a hilly terrain with steep slopes, which contributes to a high runoff potential during precipitation events. The watershed is also home to the Mark Twain National Forest, which covers much of the upstream region. Seasonal snowpack accumulation in the watershed averages around 4 inches, and contributes to the annual flow of the Gasconade River, the main surface water feature in the watershed. The river is known for its high smallmouth bass population and is used for recreational activities such as fishing and kayaking. Reservoirs within the watershed include Rinquelin Trail Lake and Indian Trail Lake. The main constituents of these reservoirs include calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. Climatic trends in the region indicate an increase in annual temperature and precipitation patterns over the past few decades. This has led to more frequent and intense flooding events in the watershed.