Cabinets of Curiosity: St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 10am
The St. Anthony Falls Laboratory is a globally recognized hub for research in experimental and computational fluid mechanics, hydrology, and earth-surface dynamics. For more than 80 years the lab has attracted scholars and engineers from across disciplines to develop solutions to pressing environmental science and engineering challenges related to climate change, water, and energy.
Our guide for the tour is Chris Paola, UMN College of Science and Engineering Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Most of Professor Paola's research has been carried out at the St. Anthony Falls Lab. His research group worked extensively on stream braiding, sedimentary basin filling and stratal interpretation, and the theory and philosophy of model experiments in earth science. His Ph.D. is from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
There will be two tours, one from 10 a.m. to 11:30 am, and one from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The lab was the setting for a PBS News special featuring Prof. Paola, "Tipping Point — The Mighty Mississippi."
The lab is located at St. Anthony Main across the river from downtown Minneapolis. Parking on site is limited. Tour participants will need to use public parking at public parking structures or metered street parking that may require walking two or more blocks to the lab.
This event is full, although you can still get on the waitlist. Register through the UMRA Member Portal. Reservations and cancellations are due Nov 3.
Cancellations can be done in your online profile at umra.wildapricot.org > My Profile > My event registrations. Or, send questions on registration/cancellations to the reservationist. Please let us know if your plans change and you are unable to attend.
For more information about making registrations through the UMRA portal, go to umra.umn.edu > Programs & Events >Event Registration.
Cabinets of Curiosity was founded three years ago by UMRA member and history of science Professor Emeritus Sally Kohlstedt and a team of helpers, to offer opportunities for UMRA members to experience the fascinating collections around the University and the remarkable people who curate them.
Check back in late September for registration. Because of space limitations, Cabinets of Curiosity events are especially for UMRA members. If you would like to inquire about inviting a guest who is not a member, please email Jan Morlock, the event organizer.
—Jan Morlock, UMRA Social Activities group