Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area
301 Riverlands Way
West Alton, Missouri
636-899-260 or 1-888-899-2602

Recognizing the need for and social relevance of restoring environmentally and historically significant remnants of land, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with partners and supporters, developed a plan to restore and protect 1,200 acres of wetlands adjacent to the Melvin Price Lock & Dam. The Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area (EDA) represents this commitment.

The EDA illustrates a balanced management approach between sustaining the Mississippi river as a national transportation corridor and recognizing the environmental attributes of the area. The project utilizes the river's continuing influence to create bottomland wet prairie and marsh akin to that which existed prior to the introduction of European settlers in the area.

Sites within the EDA include Ellis Bay, the Teal Pond, the Native Prairie Restoration Project, and a 300-acre prairie-marsh complex. Public facilities and trails throughout the Environmental Demonstration Area have been built by Eagle Scouts from the St. Louis Council, Boy Scouts of America. More projects to help the public get a better view of wildlife and plant life within the EDA are planned. The EDA offers open space, fresh air, and spectacular views of nature for families, school classes, and groups. Here they can learn about and see first hand the importance of balancing mans' disturbances by protecting and restoring natural habitat. The area offers visitors the opportunity to view large numbers of resident and migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as other wildlife that live in the wetlands.

Bird Watching
The Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area is listed on the National Audubon Society's Great River Birding Trail. They report that snipe, yellowlegs and American Golden-plovers can be seen on the marsh mudflats, white gulls and waterfowl swim and feed along the river and in Ellis Bay. Thousands of American White Pelicans, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Ducks and Lesser Scaup migrate through here, along with sea ducks such as Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye. Also watch for Northern Harriers and Short-Eared Owls. During the coldest part of the winter when the river freezes over, American Bald Eagles line the banks just below the dam, taking advantage of the open water and upwelling currents. Rare Glaucous, Thayer's, Iceland, or Lesser-backed Gulls may also be present.

Map of the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area

Visiting the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area
     Visiting Hours
          Open Daily: 8 am - 4 pm
          Project Office is open Monday - Friday: 8 am - 4 pm
There is no charge to visit the Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area.

Directions: Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area is located near West Alton, Missouri. From US-67 turn onto Riverlands Way (at the FISCA station) near the Clark Bridge.

The Confluence Point State Park is across the river from Alton, Illinois in the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway area.

USACE Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area
Official site maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers