photo courtesy Missouri
Botanical Garden *
THE REBIRTH
OF A RIVER Twenty-five years ago, Missouri citizens voted to allow the Meramec River to remain free flowing and deauthorized a project to dam the river. Stopping the proposed dam project has led to the permanent protection of some of the Meramec River’s most significant natural wonders, which visitors this summer will have special opportunities to experience.
The headwaters of the Meramec River begin in the Ozarks near Salem, traveling 228 miles to join the Mississippi River south of St. Louis. The Meramec’s spring-fed waters have provided a summer haven for river recreation. What some do not realize is that the Meramec River is also a haven for the greatest variety of aquatic life in the Midwest, giving observant explorers constant opportunities to discover the wealth of aquatic life it shelters. New native species are still being discovered in the river.
Many areas of public land border the Meramec River. Following the deauthorization of the dam, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources created Onondaga Cave State Park near Leasburg. Onondaga Cave has been designated a National Natural Landmark because of the abundance and quality of its cave speleothems. Also now protected in Onondaga Cave State Park are Vilander Bluffs, the tallest and most spectacular bluffs along the river. In Meramec State Park near Sullivan, the 90-foot-tall riverside entrance to Green’s Cave is now protected.
Several agencies and organizations are working together to sponsor events along the Meramec River this summer so that people can deepen their understanding of this natural treasure. Events sponsored by Sierra Club outings leaders require a $1.00 per person insurance fee and signing of a liability waiver; events sponsored by state park staff do not.
*Credit for photo.
Fred Keusenkothen
Imaging Technician
Imaging Lab, Lehmann Building
Missouri Botanical Garden
2345 Tower Grove
Saint Louis, MO 63110
http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/naturereserve/
Main events:
July 26: 7th Annual Watershed Celebration, Meramec State Park. Join Meramec friends and Stream Team members for a full day of river related family activities at Meramec State Park which includes children's activities, naturalists programs, canoeing award presentations, food and refreshments. Advanced registration required. A special evening program 6:00PM to 9:00PM at the Hickory Ridge Conference Center includes light refreshments, entertainment, and a program. Registration Required.
August 8, 2003: "Meramec" Miracles and Milestones
- The Rebirth of a River
This event includes an evening of entertainment, exhibits,
refreshments, and a truly unique once in a lifetime presentation by noted river
advocates and several key individual leaders who worked tirelessly during the
1970s. Their efforts halted the construction of the Meramec Dam, a measure that
would have inundated thousands of acres of beautiful Missouri landscape and many
natural wonders. Registration required.
See also outings calendar for Sierra Club sponsored events.
June 8: Glade Hike, sponsored by the Sierra Club, call Paul Stupperich at (314) 429-4352. Four-mile roundtrip hike to glades at Meramec State Park overlooking the river. Moderately difficult but the wildflowers and vistas are superb. The glade coneflowers will be in full bloom.
June 13: Natural Wonders Hike, sponsored by the Sierra Club, call Suzanne Smith at (618) 281-4762. Hike one or two of the loop trails at Meramec State Park.
June 14: Hamilton Hollow Creek Hike, sponsored by the Sierra Club, call Bob Gestel at (636) 296-8975. A refreshing four-mile roundtrip hike in and along Hamilton Creek to Hamilton Cave, Pratt Spring, Pratt Spring Cave, Homestead Spring, and the Meramec River.
June 22: Hamilton Hollow Hike, sponsored by the Sierra Club, call Wayne Miller at (314) 569-0094. Three- mile roundtrip hike along Hamilton Creek to Hamilton Cave, Pratt Spring, Pratt Spring Cave, and Homestead Spring where beavers have built themselves a large dam and pond.
July 6: Hamilton Hollow Creek Hike, sponsored by the Sierra Club, call Glenn Wolters at (314) 845-5859. A refreshing three-mile roundtrip hike in and along Hamilton Creek to Hamilton Cave, Pratt Spring, Pratt Spring Cave, and Homestead Spring where beavers have built themselves a large dam and pond.
Jul 19: Easy 5 mile canoe trip from Campbell Bridge to Blue Springs. Come help us celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Meramec Dam victory. Jim Rhodes, (314) 821-7758, or Ed Schmidt, (314) 647-1608.
July 26:7th Annual Watershed Celebration. See left panel.
July 26: A Wade in the Meramec, sponsored by Meramec State Park, Sullivan, call Brian Wilcox or Jody Miles at (573) 468-6072. The Meramec River contains 120 (21 percent) of the 574 native freshwater fish species in North America, including a darter that is only found in the Meramec. Join park staff in a refreshingly wet exploration of the Meramec River from a large gravel bar island.
Aug. 2 : Mussels in the Meramec, Castlewood State Park, Ballwin, call Richard Love at (636) 227-4433. Freshwater mussels were once numerous and diverse in most rivers in Missouri but now are one of the most threatened animal groups in North America. Freshwater mussel experts will be at one of the gravel bars in the park to show visitors these overlooked animals that clean our streams.
Aug. 8: "Meramec" Miracles and Milestones. See left panel.
Aug. 8, Meramec Freedom Canoe Trip, Meramec State Park, Sullivan, call Brian Wilcox or Jody Miles at (573) 468-6072. This five-mile interpretive canoe trip will explore the rich natural and cultural history of the Meramec River, including stops at Green’s Cave and the proposed Meramec Dam site. Registration is required.
Aug. 9, What Could Have Been, Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg, (573) 245-6576. The park will offer half-priced cave tours. The intertwined history of Onondaga Cave and the Meramec dam will be highlighted during the tours. Reservations are recommended.