Online Learning: Surf the Mississippi

Instructions for students

Visit the following Internet sites and answer the following questions.

1. Explore Historic Fort Snelling Virtual Tour

   1. The confluence of what two rivers is shown on the diagram?

   2. Why do you think the fort was built at this location? (Click on "Fort Snelling History" below the diagram for more information.)

   3. Explore any two of the eighteen numbered features on the diagram (using the hot links.)

   4. Describe the feature, and what it was used for.

   5. Why was this feature important to the fort?

2. Explore St. Anthony Falls

   1. Click on the diagram of the falls to enlarge it. What is the main idea shown by the diagram?

   2. Click on "Geology and History." Read the first paragraph, then name four values or uses that people have had for St. Anthony Falls.

   3. Scroll down to the part about "Geology."

   4. 12,000 years ago a huge waterfall over 175 feet tall existed near what present-day place?

   5. From its origins near ______________, St. Anthony Falls retreated slowly upstream at about ______ feet per year until it reached its present location.Geologists estimate that the waterfall was originally about _______ feet high, but by the early 19th century, explorers described it as only about __________ feet high.

3. Explore the Minnesota Historical Society web-site on river vessels (boats).

   1. Name three ways of powering a vessel on the Mississippi River without fuel.

   2. Describe a flatboat. How was it propelled and steered? What were its uses?

4. Explore some other river-related web sites:

   1. Environmental Protection Agency - aquatic bug theater, kids' water activities

   2. Environmental Protection Agency - water activities, art and experiments

   3. U.S. Geological Service - earth's water, water science

   4. American Rivers - water flow toolkit

   5. Old Man River - historical timeline

   6. Center for Global Environmental Education - about watersheds

   7. Center for Global Environmental Education 2 - also about watersheds

   8. Bell Museum of Natural History

Answers

A.1. The diagram shows the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers.

A.2. (Answers will vary.) The fort was strategically built in this location because the river confluence was a major intersection for transportation at the time and a center for fur trade. This location allowed U.S. Army soldiers to control traffic on the two key rivers of the area. (For more information, click on "Fort Snelling History" and then "An Outpost in the Wilderness.")

A.3. (Answers will vary with the feature being described. Explore web site for information.)

2.A. The diagram shows the recession, or erosion, of the waterfall from 1660 to 1887.

B.2. The falls have been valued for religious significance, a landmark, geological interest, scenic beauty, water power, and navigation.

2.C. 1) 12,000 years ago the predecessor of St. Anthony Falls was located near downtown St. Paul. (It is referred to as River Warren Falls.)

B.3. 2) what is now Ft. Snelling; four

2.C. 3) 180; 16-20

C. The exact web site location is at http:www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/shipwrecks/mpdf/incraft.html

C.1. Ways to power vessels on the Mississippi River without fuel include: wind, water, hand (human power or paddle), and horse. (Indicated in first subtitle of this web site.)

C.2. Flatboats are strong, box-like boats with flat bottoms, perpendicular sides, and upturned ends. They sometimes were covered throughout their entire length. They were constructed to float with the current (they were water-powered) and were steered by large oars or sweeps placed at the ends. Most flatboats never returned after descending the river; often, they were dismantled and used or sold for lumber at their downstream destination.

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, 2001.