Miami Conservancy District Sponsors "Life Below the Waterline" Giant Aquarium at Riverway Summit

Provided by The Miami Conservancy District

DAYTON — The Miami Conservancy District (MCD) is proud to sponsor the appearance of the "Life Below the Waterline" traveling freshwater aquarium at this year’s Riverway Summit.

This unique 2,200-gallon mobile aquarium, part of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) education program, provides a rare opportunity to see native fish species up close. On Thursday, the aquarium will be filled with fish collected from the Great Miami River, offering visitors a window into the incredible aquatic life that calls our local waterways home.

 

   The "Life Below the Waterline" exhibit features two large viewing windows and showcases species such as Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Redhorse, and Pike — all native to the Great Miami River Watershed. It highlights the biodiversity, health, and resilience of the Great Miami River and surrounding waterways.

 

   Healthy rivers are more than just beautiful places for fish and recreation — they are deeply connected to the health of our groundwater, which provides the primary source of drinking water for communities throughout the region. Protecting our rivers means protecting the water we all rely on every day.

 

   In addition to flood protection, MCD’s Water Stewardship Initiative focuses on safeguarding water quality across the region. Recognizing that clean water is essential for public health, economic vitality, and environmental resilience, MCD works to monitor, protect, and improve the water resources that support life and livelihoods in Southwest Ohio.

 

   Visitors are encouraged to stop by the aquarium on Thursday until 5 p.m. to explore the fascinating world beneath the surface, learn more about the fish species living in the river, and discover what these creatures reveal about the cleanliness and health of our local water resources. The aquarium will be setup starting mid-morning with fish from the river added around noon.

 

   "The health of the Great Miami River affects all of us," said Sarah Hippensteel Hall, Manager of Communications, Outreach, & Stewardship for the Miami Conservancy District. "This aquarium gives people a rare opportunity to see the life thriving beneath the surface — and to understand how protecting the river also protects the groundwater we all rely on for drinking water."

 

   Come see what lives just below the waterline—and leave inspired to protect and enjoy our rivers!

 

   For more information on the Great Miami River Watershed, visit www.mcdwater.org