Combination Erosion & Flood Table
An interactive display where the visitor controls the flow of water to learn concepts of erosion and impacts of flooding. These concepts are further explored in our prairie and wetland displays, where we highlight the role of deep prairie roots in preventing erosion and the way wetlands help mitigate flood damage.
Fun Fact: this display was designed and engineered completely in-house!
Lock & Dam Replica
A movable display in the form of locking gates representing a manmade feature common on the Upper Mississippi River. These are physical examples of how humans try to control the natural behaviors of the River. There is no going back to a time before, they are permanently fixed into the channel giving an example of how the future of nature is manmade.
Did you know? there are 29 lock & dams along the Mississippi River, and Dubuque is located at Lock 11. Often a great spot to view our native Bald Eagles!
Prairie
Humans share a history with the river, and it goes beyond its banks to the soils that feed our food. Healthy rivers start with healthy land management practices. Iowa was a diverse prairie before it became more famous as the farmland of today. This area explores how prairies helped create Iowa landscapes and how the land impacts the River. See full root samples of the Compass Plant, Prairie Rose with Switchgrass, and Big Bluestem.
Barge Theater
Down to its keel, this is an exhibit on river commerce which generates 400 billion dollars annually. Rivers have always been used for transporting goods and people. This shows a film following a barge through the locks and dams of the Upper Mississippi.