Freshwater ecologists in the U.S.A. have long emphasized the study of lentic and small lotic ecosystems; and as a consequence, research has rarely been conducted on large rivers. Indeed, about 96% of all lotic studies have involved headwater creeks to a few medium-sized rivers, despite the fact that big rivers are perhaps the most crucial, surface-water ecosystem for humans throughout the world in terms of water supply and transport. Although aquatic ecologists generally acknowledge that much more research is needed on large rivers, this has been difficult to accomplish because of: (a) major logistical problems and expenses associated with large river research: (b) inadequate foundation data on which to base sophisticated research proposals to funding agencies (especially NSF; and (c) the severe shortage of field stations on large rivers as operational centers for research and sites for long-term environmental monitoring to support descriptive, theoretical, and experimental studies. The University of Louisville recently purchased riverfront property located approximately one hour from the main campus (upstream from Louisville in Westport, KY) on which to establish the Ohio River Environmental Station (ORES) and has received a gift from a national corporation to aid in the renovation or construction of research facilities. The institution wishes to make ORES a preeminent site for large river research on regional, national, and international levels, especially as the research relates to management of navigable regulated rivers. ORES is located at an ideal site where the Ohio changes from a river with a naturally- constricted channel to a fllodplain river. To further these goals, this project will support planning and design of ORES. The project will sponsor a workshop at the University of Louisville to (1) refine the mission of ORES; (2) discuss the organization, physical design, and equipping of ORES; and (3) develop plans for the establishment and impl ementation of an international consortium of large river laboratories and field stations. Three faculty members from the Biology Department at the University of Louisville will join 5 aquatic ecologists from other North American universities and 2 aquatic scientists from overseas research laboratories at this workshop. Based on additional information gathered by the P.I. and advice from participants in the workshop, the master site plan, mission, and strategic objectives of ORES will be finalized. The University of Louisville will then contract with an architectural firm for the final design of the Ohio River Environmental Station site and buildings.
