Mississippi River – Author Barb Geiger

Locks and Dams: Stairway of the Upper Mississippi

On the Upper Mississippi, there’s a 420-foot drop in water level between St. Anthony Falls, Minnesota and Granite City, Illinois. In 1930, the locks and dams were built to help control all that flowing water, making it navigable for river traffic, including barges transporting goods up and down the waterway. The dams divide the upperContinue reading “Locks and Dams: Stairway of the Upper Mississippi”

Bald Eagle Comeback

I clearly remember when bald eagles were finally added to the Endangered Species List in 1978. In school, we had learned for years about the declining eagle population and tracked the data on the numbers of nesting pairs remaining. We were concerned to see, firsthand, the effects of habitat destruction and the consequences of widespreadContinue reading “Bald Eagle Comeback”

Pig’s Eye Island Heron Rookery

It was in St. Paul, Minnesota where we discovered the hidden gem known as the Pig’s Eye Island Heron Rookery. And by “discovered,” I don’t mean that it wasn’t clearly identified on our map. It was. It just wasn’t a part of our planned route that particular day. But after struggling for five miles toContinue reading “Pig’s Eye Island Heron Rookery”