Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:
River Infrastructure: What Else Can We Throw Into The River?
The Missouri and Mississippi Rivers are very different systems now than 100 years ago. Billions of dollars worth of infrastructure have channelized and stabilized the rivers, enhanced navigation, been added for flood protection and enabled the use of the river for drinking water, wastewater disposal and power plant cooling. Brad Walker, Rivers Director for Missouri Coalition for the Environment, will explain what we've built around these rivers and look at the cost/benefit conversation of the decades-long project to "tame" and use the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
He'll look at the current political process involved in paying for this infrastructure, especially the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), and consider what a better alternative might look like.
Meet Your Presenter
Brad Walker
, Rivers Director
Prior to his work in the conservation and environmental sector Brad Walker worked for over 20 years in the construction industry, primarily performing construction management for large wastewater treatment plants in the western US. He then spent two years in Jamaica in the U.S. Peace Corps. For the last eight years he has worked on river issues on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Brad has a B.S in Civil Engineering and a M.A. in Geography.
Related Presentations
Resources & Links
- Mo. Coalition for the Environment website
- Brad's River Roils Blog
- UMR Reports
- Text for Water Resources Development Act of 2013
The Big Muddy Speakers Series in St. Charles
is hosted by these wonderful partners:
- Greenway Network
- Missouri River Relief
- Friends of Big Muddy
- Big Muddy Adventures
- Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge
- Big A’s Restaurant
All speakers are presenting for free and Big A’s is sharing the space for free! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us!
The Big Muddy Speaker Series also takes place monthly in Rocheport and Kansas City.
A special thank you to Greenway Network and Mike Clark of Big Muddy Adventures for making this happen!
Upcoming Presentations
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