North American Prairie Conference

Field Trip Information Summary


Wednesday, August 6, 2008




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River Explorer Mississippi River Excursions  (Cabin Cruiser tours are funded for NAPC through a special grant from Xcel Energy)
Brief description of site and highlights of site (habitat, flora, fauna):
  • Mississippi River main channel.
  • Man-made islands to control silting and provide habitat for birds, wildlife and plants.
  • View wing dams used to control water depth at an earlier time.
  • View a Lock & Dam.
  • Winona Commercial Harbor and barge staging area.
  • Mississippi River backwaters area
  • Enjoy a convivial. educational setting and a relaxing trip if you are not up to the rigors of hiking on a land field trip.
Walking distance, rigor, potential hazards: 20 to 50 feet, handicapped accessible
Area of site (approximate acreage): Tour boat will travel approximately 10 miles
Duration of field trip: Two hours
Access for charter bus loading/unloading/parking: Free Parking is available on-street or in off-street lots close to the launch site.  Passenger delivery to the gangplank is possible.  The upper level deck of the boat is not wheel-chair accessible.  Please advise captain / tour guide / conference organizer if you have special needs.
Availability of drinking water, rest rooms, shade: Yes
General location (direction/distance from nearest town): Site is in Winona
Distance from Winona, MN: Site is in Winona, 7 blocks NNE of the WSU Main Campus.  Follow Johnson Street north to the Front Street boat launch on the Mississippi River.
Potential leader(s)/guide(s): Calvin Fremling, Barry Drazkowski,  S. Olcott