The lock and dam system created 29 pools in the Upper Mississippi River, manmade reservoirs that slow the river flow and deepen its channel. While critical for navigation of large vessels, the dams have complicated life for native wildlife. The American paddlefish is the last of a family that used to have different species around the world. Along with the sturgeon that swim in this exhibit they are known as living fossils whose habitats were altered with dams threatening their existence. This exhibit uses these species to impress people to care about other fish using the “wow” factor – that’s a living dinosaur kind of hook and we should protect it.
Species:
Fish: Paddlefish, Shovelnose Sturgeon, Various suckers