River des Peres

In preparation for the 1904 World's Fair, the portion of the river that flows through Forest Park was disguised by temporary wooden channels.

In the early 1930s, following high demand for preventive safety measures brought on by a series of fatal floods, the river was channelized, with its upper sections redirected underground in large sewage pipes.

Design and construction was led by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Horner & Shifrin, and the Works Progress Administration.

The resemblance of the water feature to a picturesque river scene was an attempt to maintain continuity with the appearance of the rest of Forest Park's landscape, which for the most part, excepting significantly recent additions to the Art Museum (by Peter Walker), upholds the original, early twentieth century pastoral design intentions of George Kessler.

The design received notable objections due to its generous use of resources to present the appearance of a healthy river.

[7] The river is currently part of the combined sewer and stormwater system of its watershed, which includes large portions of St. Louis City and County.