As it cuts across the state on its way to meet the Mississippi, the Missouri River irrigates crops, cools the systems at nuclear and coal power plants and quenches millions of Missourians’ thirst as the largest source of drinking water in the state. While some may take it for granted, Missouri state Rep. Jamie Burger is watching the fights over water in the Western U.S. closely. He worries that eventually people will come seeking Missouri’s abundant water resources. Last legislative session, he introduced a bill to ban most exports of water from the state. … The water compact that has been generating the most headlines in recent years is the one governing the Colorado River Basin. The current rules for sharing river water will expire in 2026, so the parties are at the negotiating table to rework the agreement. Unlike the Colorado, the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers don’t have compacts in place, besides on some of their smaller tributaries. Some, like CrowGhost and DeKrey, think it would be beneficial to have a compact to prepare for a more contentious future.