Virtual Rapids & Real Stories to Anchor River Discovery Center

PORTLAND: Members of the McKenzie River Discovery Center (MRDC) board of directors trekked to Portland last week for a look at how the facility will bring the river’s history, ecology and culture to life through immersive and interactive experiences.

The presentation, led by members of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) design team, outlined development across three primary spaces: the Welcome Center, the Hatchery building and the Barn. Each area is being designed to provide visitors with a distinct yet interconnected experience centered on stewardship of the McKenzie River.

OMSI staffers explained the Welcome Center will serve as the gateway to the site, blending visual storytelling with flexible programming. Designers said the space will draw inspiration from the nearby hatchery’s natural surroundings, incorporating colors, textures and patterns influenced by water movement, fish, and the region’s volcanic history.

A key feature, they said, will be a rotating “passport” system, allowing Discovery Center staff to update visitor experiences seasonally and guide guests to new exhibits as they open. The site is also envisioned to include a gift shop, a welcome wall with integrated lighting, and a small theater space for films and community events.

A covered porch of the former hatchery superintendent’s home will be reconfigured to introduce visitors to major themes through a series of interpretive panels and interactive elements.

Designs for the hatchery building focus on it as the core exhibit space – organized around a layout that will mirror the flow of the river itself. Its centerpiece will be a large tactile wall combining projection, sculptural elements and interactive controls.

The installation will simulate real-time river conditions, including seasonal changes and water flow, while allowing visitors to engage through hands-on features such as spinners and sliders. Designers emphasized the use of regionally specific artwork and terminology, opting for “Western” and “Eastern Cascades” to describe geographic features.

Within the hatchery space, the OMSI staff gave details of a dedicated fish zone to highlight the McKenzie River’s aquatic life. Interactive displays are being developed that will guide visitors through the salmon lifecycle using motion sensors, lighting effects and detailed illustrations tailored specifically to the McKenzie River.

At the opposite end of the hatchery building a separate fish tank exhibit calls for lifelike models representing a selection of local species, along with information on those most at risk. Another component, developed with educational standards in mind, will introduce younger visitors to ocean conditions affecting salmon survival using simplified environmental indicators.

When the Barn structure is rebuilt, plans call for it to house one of the center’s most ambitious features: a drift boat simulation designed to replicate navigating the McKenzie River’s Marten Rapids. Planned exhibits in the barn include multiple boats and a collection of models, along with immersive video captured on the river.

OMSI staff said the simulation is still in development, with ongoing testing focused on improving movement accuracy and user interaction. Future refinements are expected to include more realistic rowing mechanics.