River Town Explorer
River Town Explorer is an independent regional publication based in Fountain City, Wisconsin. We share the history, scenery, and outdoor experiences of the Upper Mississippi River and Driftless Area.
Through historic postcards, old photographs, and views from today, we tell stories of the people and places that shaped our river towns, from the earliest settlers to the present. Along the way, we explore the backwaters, scenic roads, parks, and local stops that make the region worth getting to know. We hope these stories inspire you to visit and experience it for yourself.
Featured story
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Why Did They Squeeze Lock & Dam 5A Into Such a Short Stretch of the Mississippi?
Why engineers added Lock and Dam 5A near Winona, how it solved a water-level problem, and the construction story behind Pool 5A.
Latest stories
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Keeping the Mississippi Deep Enough
Wing dams put the current to work. Dredges, including Fountain City’s Vesuvius, tackled the sand that remained.
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Under the Fishing Pier at Merrick State Park
An underwater camera reveals panfish beneath Merrick State Park’s ADA fishing pier, where visitors can also borrow basic fishing equipment.
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Fall Colors Along the Wisconsin Great River Road at Fountain City
The fall colors weren’t quite there yet in these drone views of Fountain City, but the Mississippi River was already putting on a pretty good show. Fountain City is one…