Research Vessels

R/V Prairie Springs

Research Vessel (R/V) Prairie Springs is a 32-foot high-speed landing craft designed to prepare the next generation of freshwater professionals. R/V Prairie Springs is the only vessel of its kind operated by a university on the upper Mississippi River. Its ~2.5 foot draft and bow door make it well-suited for students, faculty, and partnering educational groups to explore the Mississippi River’s culturally and ecologically significant aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

Operations

R/V Prairie Springs is classified as an Oceanographic Research Vessel by the U.S. Coast Guard and can accommodate 12 to 14 people. It is piloted by either a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain or trained UWL faculty. R/V Prairie Springs is moored at J.F. Brennan’s harbor on French Island from mid-April through mid-November and is stored indoors at J.F. Brennan during the winter season. Passengers are typically picked up at Riverside Park, the La Crosse Municipal Boat Harbor, Veteran’s Freedom Park Boat Launch, or Pettibone Boat Club, though other options can be coordinated.

Research and Teaching Capabilities

With its open deck and climate-controlled cabin, R/V Prairie Springs is equipped for biological, chemical, and geological sample collection and analyses from April through November. Research and teaching activities have included sediment coring, hydrographic surveying, velocity and discharge measurement, water quality analyses, ROV operations, and sampling for eDNA, microplastics, invertebrates, zooplankton, and fish. The vessel’s bow door and shallow draft enable passengers to disembark and explore the Mississippi River’s many islands and terrestrial habitats.

Reservations and Rates

R/V Prairie Springs is billed at a rate of $100/hr to offset the cost of fuel, a captain, and other operational expenses. Potential sources of funding for use of R/V Prairie Springs include Special Course Fees implemented by instructors and research grants obtained by faculty and students. If you have questions about groups that are eligible to use R/V Prairie Springs or if you have financial limitations, consult with the River Studies Center Director Eric Strauss prior to completing the Vessel Request Form.

The following steps are required for use of R/V Prairie Springs.

Step 1 - Visit the Vessel Calendar to view the availability of R/V Prairie Springs on the date and time of interest.
Step 2 - Complete the Vessel Request Form after confirming R/V Prairie Springs availability.
Step 3 - Work with the captain to complete the Ship's Log Form during the excursion.

R/V Prairie Springs Details

History

R/V Prairie Springs was acquired through a generous gift from Prairie Springs: The Paul Fleckenstein Trust. Trustees Carolyn Fleckenstein Scott and her husband, Jay Scott, funded the vessel’s construction in memory of Carolyn’s brother, Paul, who was a powerful proponent of environmental education and conservation. Paul had a boat of his own, which he called Nereus, the personification of the sea in Greek mythology. When Carolyn and Jay sold the boat following Paul’s death, they hoped to use those funds to support a new vessel for students and faculty who share Paul’s passion.

Vessel Specifications

Length: 32 ft
Beam: 10 ft
Draft: 2.5 ft
Tonnage: 5 GRT, 5 NRT
Hull Type: Catamaran
Hull Material: Aluminum
Seating capacity: 5-6 interior, 7-8 exterior
Power: Honda 225 hp x 2 on hydraulic jack plates
Speed: 40 mph
Fuel: 150 gal
Coast Guard Designation: Oceanographic Research Vessel
Official Number: 1351852
Builder: Munson Boats, Burlington, Washington
Year Completed: 2023

Safety Equipment

15 automatic inflatable personal flotation devices
24” life ring
Water rescue throw bag
First aid kit
Hailer/PA horn
Boat air horn
LED search light with 544,000 candle power on wheelhouse roof
Four LED flood lights on wheelhouse roof
LED navigation lights
Two 5lb CO2 fire extinguishers
Carbon monoxide detector in wheelhouse
Automatic generator fire suppression system

Navigation and Electronics

Garmin VHF 215 marine radio
Two Garmin GPS Map 8610 plotter/sounder
Garmin GMR 18HD+ 18” radar with 36 nautical mile range
Garmin Panoptix PS30 down-viewing transducer
Garmin AIS 800 transceiver
Clarion marine stereo with 4 speakers (2 interior, 2 exterior)
USB charger receptacle
Two 12V receptacles
Three 120 VAC/60 Hz receptacles – inverter supplied power
Four 120 VAC/60 Hz receptacles – generator supplied power

Wheelhouse Equipment

Sink with raw water and freshwater faucets
Cabinets with flip-up counter for lab work
Dometic air conditioner run by generator or shore power
Webasto forced air diesel-fired cabin heater rated for 12,000 BTU’s
Dometic pack fridge/cooler
Four LED red/white dome lights

Deck Equipment

74-inch hydraulic bow door
Davit with Powerwinch 300
Lewmar 1000 anchor windless with 22lb Rocna anchor
8” moon pool with Freeman deck hatch
Gear-driven Universal Sonar Mount
110-quart Yeti marine cooler with seat cushion
Raw water deck washdown hose
3 spud poles and sockets
Cummons Onan 5 kilowatt diesel generator
2000W Xantrex Inverter/Charger
15-gallon non-integral diesel fuel tank
25-gallon tank for potable water
Two 120 VAC/60 Hz receptacles - generator supplied power

Additional River Studies Center Boats

The River Studies Center maintains a fleet of small boats for use by faculty and their students on the Mississippi River and other lakes and rivers in the Midwest. One flat bottom boat is moored at the La Crosse Municipal Harbor and the other vessels are on locked trailers at a storage lot near campus. Contact RSC Director Eric Strauss or Associate Director Colin Belby for information on use of these vessels.

There is no fee to use the small boats in the River Studies Center fleet, but users are expected to refuel the boats after each outing. The following steps are required to use the small boats in the RSC fleet.

Step 1 - Visit the Vessel Calendar to view the availability of the boat on the date and time of interest.
Step 2 - Complete the Vessel Request Form after confirming the boat's availability.
Step 3 - Complete the Ship's Log Form during the excursion.