River Journey

River Journey follows water from an Appalachian cove forest down through the Tennessee River system to the Mississippi Delta. Exhibits showcase freshwater species including paddlefish, lake sturgeon, river otters, and Appalachian brook trout in habitats that replicate the diverse freshwater ecosystems of the American Southeast.

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened on Earth, with freshwater species declining at nearly twice the rate of terrestrial or marine species. Dams, pollution, invasive species, and water withdrawal threaten rivers and streams worldwide. River Journey highlights these challenges and the conservation efforts working to protect freshwater biodiversity.