Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:
A River Destroyed Then Reconstructed
Join us to learn about the fascinating Black River recovery efforts after Ameren’s Taum Sauk plant failed in December 2005 when 1.3 billion gallons of water flooded Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.
Michael Bollinger will provide his insights and personal perspective, as someone who was on-site and assigned to help coordinate and implement the attempted restoration.
Meet Your Presenter
Michael Bollinger
, environmentalist and outdoor enthusiast
Michael is an environmentalist and outdoor enthusiast, with a BS in environmental chemistry and a masters of public health. He retired after a professional career in the field for Ralston Purina, then Union Electric/Ameren. Mike has been a Sierra Club member for over 30 years, and served in various leadership roles including executive, conservation, outings and on trail maintenance crews. He’s worked on StreamTeam cleanups of the Meramec River for over 20 years. He is an active member of a local Laudato Si Circle and been a regular attendee of Greenway Networks’ Big Muddy Speaker programs for several years. He enjoys biking, kayaking and hiking - to the extent his body allows him to do so.
Related Presentations
Resources & Links
Upcoming Presentations
Introducing the Missouri River Center for Conservation Innovation
October 13, 2026Columbia, MO
Join us for an evening with Zack Miller to learn about the Missouri River Center for Conservation Innovation.
See Event
Leave No Trace Training on the Barge
October 14, 2026St. Louis, MO
Join us for a special Big Muddy Speaker Series on the Living Lands & Waters Barge where Perry Whitaker will lead us in a Leave No Trace Training.
See Event
Missouri River Relief: 25 Years on the Big Muddy
November 10, 2026Columbia, MO
Join us for a journey through time celebrating 25 years of Missouri River Relief's work on the Big Muddy.
See Event
Plastic Pollution, Gulf Hypoxia, and Water Quality
November 11, 2026St Charles, MO
Jennifer Wendt from MidAmerica Clean Future guides us through understanding regional water quality challenges.
See Event