River des Peres
Forest Park, St. Louis

HISTORY

In 1876, Forest Park was opened to the public. It was mostly virgin forest. River des Peres flowed through lush forest and bottomlands, and was an important park attraction. It fed a number of unconnected artificial lakes via a system of underground pipes and pumps.

In 1890s the river flooded twice causing a lot of damage. Then, the sewer line lagged behind city expansion and the river became an open sewer.

In 1901, Forest Park was selected the site for the 1904 World's Fair. The river was viewed as a big problem (flood, odors, degraded appearance). The river course was therefore shortened and routed through wooden culvert.

In 1915, it flooded again, leading to a proposal to realign and permanently bury the 18-mile section of the creek inside the city limit.

In 1930, River des Peres flowed underground in 32' diameter pipe routed along the North boundary of the city; and in 24' diameter pipe down its eastern side.

PRINCIPLES OF RESTORATION

1995: proposal for a new artificial waterway that mimics the old river: watercourse, cascades, connecting the lakes. Because River des Peres has been burried underground too long it couldn't be restored. City water will be used to supply the artificial river, the lakes and wetland that it connected and a skating ring. A part of this water supply would then be recycled back to the waterway. The as built amount of water supply is about half of the initial estimated amount. With rainfall sensors, the amount of water supply can hopefully be further reduced.

THOUGHTS

• Is this a new construction or a restoration project?
• What does it mean to contemporary culture: paying homage to the past or expressing a yearning for something that is no longer attainable?