LaBarque Creek Conservation Area

LaBarque Creek Conservation Area consists of in northwestern Jefferson County, Missouri. The LCCA is part of the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. LaBarque Creek is the prominent stream in the conservation area and subsequently flows into the Meramec River shortly after leaving the park.

History

In 2005 the Missouri Department of Conservation purchased from The Nature Conservancy and a private landowner. Other acquisitions brought the total acreage to, and it opened to public use on November 15, 2007. In December 2010, these became a part of the Missouri Natural Areas System as LaBarque Creek Natural Area. Three adjacent parcels of land totaling a combined were added to LCCA, bringing its total area to and connected it to land that will become Don Robinson State Park to the south, forming a block of public protected land. None of the more recently acquired land is part of the designated natural area.

The LaBarque watershed has a great variety of terrestrial natural communities, including small sandstone glades, forested fens and many kinds of woodland. There are at least 54 fish species in LaBarque Creek; it is distinguished by its biodiversity among the tributaries of the Meramec River.

The LCCA has a loop trail on its eastern side open to hiking only. The LCCA is open to archery deer hunting only.

The LaBarque Creek Conservation Area is about southeast of city of Pacific and northwest of Cedar Hill. Several other conservation areas are in LCCA's vicinity. The Young Conservation Area is about to the east, Myron and Sonya Glassberg Family Conservation Area is to the northeast, Pacific Palisades Conservation Area is to the north, Catawissa Conservation Area is northwest, and Robertsville State Park is west.