 The Headwaters Fort Mandan Visitor Center serves as the entrance platform for visitors to the 1804-1805 winter home of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Fort Mandan.
Long before the expedition set their course up the Missouri River, President Thomas Jefferson instructed Meriwether Lewis to set down in his daily journal, "Other objects worthy of notice will be...the mineral productions of every kind; but more particularly metals, limestone, pit coal...."
Today the energy industry thrives in North Dakota. Within a 50-mile radius of Fort Mandan there are four major lignite coal mines that produce over 30 million tons annually. The state's coal reserves produce electricity for hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Throughout the Headwaters Fort Mandan Visitor Center are innovative materials manufactured with coal combustion products, like fly ash. FlexCrete from Headwaters Resources is the primary building material used in the interior and exterior walls. Headwaters Incorporated, in addition to contributing the materials for the construction of the facility, has pledged a generous cash contribution over 10 years to assist with ongoing operation and maintenance. Click here for more information about a wide variety of other environmentally-friendly products from this innovative company, many derived from coal combustion products.
The pathways and floors contain fly ash, which makes the concrete stronger, more durable and easier to work with, from Great River Energy. The interior walls of the building are covered with Magna Wall stucco containing fly ash. Architectural stone veneer containing fly ash from Cultured Stone and Strata, Corp. covers the exterior of the building. Mannington Carpet donated the floor coverings that include fly ash for the offices and classroom. Even the ceiling tile has fly ash in it.
Gypsum wallboard from Standard Gypsum and the Tennessee Valley Authority makes up much of the interior walls and ceilings. Stone posts that line the parking areas around the facility are enhanced with the use of Eldorado Stone from Headwaters. TMI Systems Design contributed all of the office furniture and storage cabinets for the Center, constructed of recycled strawboard.
In addition to serving as the gateway to a remarkable historical attraction, the Headwaters Fort Mandan Visitor Center offers insights into the environmental stewardship efforts of the energy industry. Members of the Lignite Energy Council have made significant cash contributions to the construction of the facility, and include: MDU Resources Group, Great River Energy, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, BNI Coal, Minnesota Power, Minnkota Power Cooperative, Westmoreland Coal Company, Otter Tail Power Company, Border States Electric, Xcel Energy Foundation, Butler Machinery, Industrial Contractors Inc./API Group and Headwaters Resources.
Other donors include: Association of Canadian Industries Recycling Coal Ash (CIRCA), Western Region Ash Group, American Coal Ash Association, American Coal Council, LaFarge Dakota, Keller Hearth n’ Home Products, Northern Improvement Company, Wagon Wheel Lumber and Hardware, RSD Interiors, Clark and Gene Ness and Scheels All Sports.
Long-term maintenance of the facility is being made possible by a special gift to the Foundation's endowment trust from The Falkirk Mining Company and Coteau Properties. |
