About the Exhibit
Step up and take a look — you're gazing at an incredible 103,000-gallon freshwater exhibit filled with species that call the Ozarks home. From longnose and alligator gar to pallid sturgeon, along with buffalo and blue catfish, this pond is teeming with local aquatic life. You might even spot a few species from neighboring freshwater ecosystems, adding to the diversity of this underwater world. The pallid sturgeon is native to Missouri and also listed as endangered by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The Neosho National Fish Hatchery in Neosho, Missouri raises pallid sturgeon for restoration efforts, hoping to conserve this species for generations to come.
One of the most impressive residents here is the white sturgeon. As the largest freshwater fish in North America, these gentle giants can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh as much as 1,500 pounds! Their natural habitat spans the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, but here, you can get an up-close look at this living fossil, a species that has existed for millions of years.
Also swimming through the waters is a truly unique fish, the paddlefish, also known as a spoonbill. These prehistoric-looking creatures are easy to recognize by their long, flat snouts, known as a rostrum, which is covered in tiny sensory pores. Unlike most fish, paddlefish don’t hunt with their eyes; instead, they use their rostrum to detect microscopic plankton in the water. As filter feeders, they swim with their mouths wide open, allowing water to pass through their gill rakers, trapping their tiny food source. Paddlefish are also almost entirely cartilaginous, meaning they have no skeletal bones. Once abundant, paddlefish populations have declined due to the demand for their roe (fish eggs, often processed into caviar). Thankfully, conservation efforts are underway, with agencies working hard to restore their numbers and support research on these fascinating fish. Paddlefish are considered an indicator species – meaning waterways with this species of fish are considered generally healthy and of high-quality water.
The Importance of Freshwater Conservation
Water covers nearly 70% of our planet, but only 2.5% of it is freshwater — and even more staggering, less than 1% of that freshwater is easily accessible for human use. With a growing global population of over 8 billion people, the need for clean and healthy water sources is greater than ever. Protecting freshwater ecosystems isn’t just vital for fish and wildlife, it’s essential for all of us. The health of our rivers, lakes, and streams directly impacts everything from drinking water to agriculture, recreation, and beyond.
Fishers and anglers play an important part in conservation efforts by generating revenue from taxes on equipment and sporting goods. In 2024 alone, Missouri anglers generated over $187 million dollars for conservation.
It’s also important to remember that what happens in freshwater ecosystems doesn’t stay there. Our actions have ripple effects, even reaching saltwater ecosystems hundreds or even thousands of miles away. WOW is proud to participate in consistent waterway cleanups and conservation programs that benefit our local ecosystem. Every drop counts when it comes to conservation! Remember – we all live downstream!
Be sure to check out our free weekly Community Pond Dive Shows for more fun!