Heartland River: A Book Review
By Pete Carrels
It’s not uncommon for locals to bemoan the disrespect or inadequate understanding about their home territory demonstrated by people living elsewhere. That seems especially true for our slice of heaven, the upper Midwest. A new book about the Big Sioux River, titled Heartland River, specifically expresses this circumstance. According to Heartland River editor Jon Lauck, the rest of the country does not comprehend or care about the ecological and cultural richness of the Big Sioux River and its region. And while there is some truth to that sentiment, a bigger concern related to the Big Sioux River is not that those who live far from the river don’t recognize the waterway’s substance and consequence, it’s that too few who live near the Big Sioux feel a meaningful connection to the river. This is one reason the river and its watershed have been dramatically altered and degraded. Correcting that deficiency by cultivating a collective of informed river enthusiasts is one of the challenges Friends of the Big Sioux River works to overcome. Can Heartland River propel a rising level of interest and sensitivity among those who live near the river? I hope so.
Editor Lauck assembled a group of writers, historians, and scientists from across the country to present a variety of subjects, including topics that are informative and unexpected. As a book-shelf resource, this volume is useful. We learn about famous authors, scientists, and artists born in the watershed. The relationship of the region’s original settlers -Native Americans- to the river and its tributaries is detailed. We learn about the origins of the term “Siouxland,” and about early explorers sent by the United States government to map and document the terrain. Practical background about topics such as natural history and water quality is reported.
River rats discover the rivers they love flow a rich current of stories. I wish the book told more stories about those who had or have a personal connection to the river. A handful of local champions have invested passion and energy improving and promoting the river. They are largely missing from the book’s four hundred pages. Not mentioned, for example, is Dana Loseke, founder of Friends of the Big Sioux River.
There have been important and recent projects uplifting public sentiment about the river. The development of shoreline parks, canoe/kayak access, and biking/hiking/strolling trails in a variety of locations exposes more of the river to the public. The beautification of Falls Park, a sparkling triumph by the City of Sioux Falls, has attracted countless visitors to the river. The city’s downtown riverside promenade is an appealing community amenity. Discussion of those subjects will have to happen in subsequent books.
Providing an emotive and informative look at a river and its watershed is, no doubt, a challenging undertaking. There is a lot to choose from, and lots of water to cover. Heartland River is described by Jon Lauck as the first book about the river, and it’s a good start, as it sets the bar at a reasonable level for books yet to be created; books written, perhaps, because the writer was inspired by Heartland River. The Center for Western Studies at Augustana University -the book’s publisher- aspires to contribute to the knowledge and appreciation of our part of the world, and this is another example of that admirable institution pursuing an ambitious mission.