Rivers Project Educational Programming

Come learn about the living river providing
transportation, employment, recreation, and wildlife habitat.

Planning a Visit to the National Great Rivers Museum and Melvin Price Locks and Dam

General
The museum is open 7 days a week from 9 AM to 5 PM. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.  All programs and tours are free. The museum is self-guided, however, the museum staff conducts tours of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam daily for public walk-ins only at 10 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM. The museum and locks tour are handicap accessible. Wheel chairs and a taped museum tour are available from the front desk. The Confluence Store gift shop is open the same hours as the museum.

Theater Shows
The museum theater has two shows available for viewing. “Power of the River” and “Lewis & Clark: Confluence of Time and Courage”. The shows are shown alternately on the hour.

School/Bus Groups
Groups wishing to tour the locks or the museum, need to call the Alton Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-258-6645 to schedule their visit. Group tours of the locks are conducted at 9 AM, 11 AM and 2 PM. Please allow at least 2 hours to visit both the museum and locks and dam. School/children groups require at least one adult chaperone per 10 students. Student activity sheets are available to assist in the museum experience.

Museum Manners
We want all our visitors to have an enjoyable experience to our facilities. In order to ensure a safe and pleasurable visit for all, the following guidelines have been established: Please - No eating, running, or reckless behavior is permitted in the museum or on the locks and dam. Arrive at your scheduled time or call to report any changes. Prior to arrival, divide large groups into smaller groups of no more than 25 each. Teachers/group leaders should: Be sure all chaperones understand their duties before the visit. Chaperones should: Supervise their group and maintain order. Assist the teacher/group leader in providing a positive learning experience.

Security Awareness
As a federal facility of the Department of Defense, the museum and locks & dam must be vigilant in their observance of national security guidelines . Visitors need to be aware that security levels can change at anytime and can alter operating procedures at the museum and the lock. Current security levels will be posted on our website. Please call ahead if you have any concerns or questions. The information below indicates the restrictions for each security level: (Note: The Dept of Defense does not use the Homeland Security Color Code Designation) Normal or Peacetime: No restrictions Alpha: No purses, packs, cell phones, or cameras (except disposable) allowed on the lock tour. Bravo: Alpha level restrictions apply. A 24-hour advanced reservation is needed for a lock tour. Charlie: All facilities will be closed. Delta: All facilities will be closed.

Tour Guidelines
• Groups under the age of 13 MUST have a minimum of 1 chaperone for every 5 students
• Groups over the age of 13 MUST have a minimum of 1 chaperone for every 10 students
• Chaperones must remain with their group at all times through the duration of your visit.
• All Tours will be limited to 25 visitors per tour guide.
• Groups are recommended to dress appropriately for the current and predicted weather.

CANCELLATIONS: Tours may also be cancelled in the event of extreme or unsafe weather. Tours may also be cancelled due to maintenance, repair, construction or in the event of heightened security levels, which pose a threat to the safety of visitors and staff. If tours are cancelled, groups can request an overview program with video or reschedule.

Directions
From Alton, IL: From the Clark bridge, follow IL 143 South two miles to Lock & Dam Way. Turn right. From I-55/64/70 (downtown St. Louis): Go East across the Poplar Street bridge. Take the 3 North exit. Follow it all the way to IL 143 near Wood River. Turn left onto IL 143, and go 2 miles to Lock & Dam Way. Turn left.

Parking & Picnic Facilities
After unloading at the front of the museum, buses should circle to the left into the bus parking area . A picnic shelter is located near the museum and is available for picnic lunches on a first-come, first-serve basis.

After your tour.... Don't forget to stop by the Confluence Bookstore and check out all the river related books and souvenirs.

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary Tour
This tour focuses on prairie restoration and manmade wetlands. The Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary is an example of the Corps' evolving commitment toward sustainable water resource development. This 1,200 acre prairie marsh restoration is an open-space reserve for an abundance of fish, waterfowl, and native marsh plants. Nature trails provide the public with a chance for a closer look at the natural landscape of bottomland prairie and wetlands within a sub-urban environment.

Appropriate for all ages.

Time: 1 Hour

Eagle Programs, Viewing Opportunities and Ranger Led Viewing
Rangers are on-site to answer your questions and share information on viewing opportunities. Through-out eagle season, Public Eagle Programs/Ranger-Led Viewing are offered at the Rivers Project Office. Rangers staff the National Great Rivers Museum daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the Rivers Project Office daily Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., closed on the weekends. Appropriate for all ages. Time: 1 Hour

Water Safety
Water safety programs and materials are readily available for Special Events, school programs and State Fairs by calling the National Great Rivers Museum at 1(877)462-6979.

Lewis and Clark Discovery Box
The discovery kit helps students learn about the Lewis & Clark expedition. The box includes remnants from the journey such as uniforms, peace medal, beaver belt, maps, buckskin, compass, mosquito netting, buttons, medicine bottle, and bear claw, plus instructions for classroom activity's. All items are reproductions. The chosen theme of the Discovery Kit is: "Implementation of Army Values that was important to the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition." Call the National Great Rivers Museum to check out box.

Legend of the Piasa Bird
The Meeting of the Rivers Foundation and Phyllis Bechtold, author of the Piasa Bird, is offering school programs featuring a storytelling program called Seymour Bluffs:  Legend of the Piasa Bird.  For more information, contact Phyllis Bechtold at (618) 466-1442 or by e-mail at seymourbluffs@piasanet.com.

Educational Resources

John Madson Memorial Library
The resource library is located at the Rivers Project Office in West Alton, Missouri. Educators can take advantage of the many publications on wetlands, habitats, and nature guides, along with engineering and navigation publications. Take time to surf the Internet to further research you project or interest. The herbarium is a also a great way to get a close look at native prairie grasses and forbs found in the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area.

Most of the written materials in the library were donated to the Rivers Project, by John Madson' wife, Dycie. John Madson was author of many books and articles. He had work published in the Smithsonian, Audubon, & National Geographic magazines.

Environmental Learning Facility (ELF)
The Environmental Learning Facility (ELF) is located on Riverlands Way in West Alton Missouri. Take highway 67 across the Clark Bridge to the first left and follow the road or take 270 West to 367 north and turn onto Riverlands Way before crossing the Clark Bridge. This classroom, overlooking Ellis Bay, is an excellent way to conduct an activity indoors, when you cannot go outside or when classroom facilities are needed. The ELF can hold up to 75 people. The ELF is equipped for showing videos or slide presentations. The ELF also contains a touch table for exploration and several mounts and birds, waterfowl and mammals. Chairs and tables are provided. To reserve use this facility, please contact Interpretive Services at the National Great Rivers Museum at (618) 462-6979 or toll free at 1-877-462-6979.

Video Resources
Videos are an excellent way for people to learn about Locks & Dams, Eagles, Flooding, and Wetlands without leaving the classroom. Many of our videos are around 30 minute long and can be checked out by visiting or calling the Rivers Project in West Alton, Missouri, at (636) 899-2600 or toll free at 1-888-899-2602.

Girl Scout Programs

Try - It Badges
Brownies Try Its Badge: Water Water Everywhere on July 14, 2006 or August 25, 2006 at 11:00 a.m.  Call (618)692-0692 to register. 

Juniors - Science Sleuths or Wildlife.  Call the National Great Rivers Museum at (618)462-6979.

Girl Scouts 11—17 -  All About Birds—Attend the Wings of Spring Migratory Bird Festival scheduled for May 5, 2007.  Call (618)692-0692 to register. 

Boy Scout Programs

Badges
Scientist Badge is offered for Webelos.  Call the National Great Rivers Museum to schedule a patch program.