The plateau surface near the midpoint is above the river bottom near the river midpoint northeast of Waynesville creating scenic river bluffs. At the junction with the Missouri the river bottom is about lower in elevation than the old plateau surface above the river. The elevation of the plateau rim at the headwaters is at or above with local hilltops at over (second highest elevation in Missouri near Cedar Gap). The elevation at the confluence with the Missouri is giving an overall drainage basin relief of .