Big River is the third in a set of three interactive modules (along with Biodiversity Around the Great Lakes and Habitat Management and Monitoring) developed by USEPA and Purdue University.

Developed for the high school and advanced junior high school level student, Big River offers the user an opportunity to enjoy an interdisciploinary multimedia exploration of the Mississippi River and its environs. Old Man River is more than just a river. It is history, culture, a way of life, and a vast arterial repository for an incredible array of flora and fauna along, in, and upon its not always muddy waters. Starting in the boral forests of Lake Itaska in Minnesota, Big River tells the story of the 500 miles of the upper Mississippi until it joins the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois.

The object of this program is to understand the Missisppi River ecosystem. Because the River is comprised of not only water in motion, but also its geology, biology, and anthroplogy. It functions like a complex organism, responding to changes in climate and weather, introductions of exotic species, alterations to its watershed, engineering modifications, and numerous human cultural influences. The program offers the user an opportunity to explore these many aspects of ther River, and more, with occsional insertions of River Music and elaboarative videos.

Audiences: High school amd undergraduate college students & teachers

Only available on CD-ROM from Purdue University:
Biodiversity Around the Great Lakes

• Created: 2004 by S. Allen, R. Beltran, C. Nyquist, J. Kunkel, M. Schreiweis, D. Jay, R. Jay, A. Krause, G. Zywicki, M. Strickland, and D. Jones.
• Size: n/a (runs from CD-ROM)
• Operating system: Win 95, 98, ME, 2000, 2003, XP
• Other requirements: Minimum 800x600 resolution, set to small fonts. Sound card and speakers recommended

Only available on CD-ROM from Purdue University:
Big River