"Celebrating history within a model of sustainable development"

Fort Mandan Visitor Center

When Lewis and Clark braved elements and an unknown country to survey North America, they were instructed by President Thomas Jefferson to seek out " ... the mineral productions of every kind, but more particularly metals, limestone, pit coal ..."

As the literature produced by the Lewis & Clark Fort Mandan Foundation (http://www.fortmandan.com - 1.877.462.8535) notes, when Lewis and Clark reached North Dakota, they found coal in abundance. Specifically, they found lignite and established their Fort Mandan encampment near their find, in an area that would become the center of a pivotal energy producing area for the upper Midwest.

The energy provided by coal is just one product of coal use. When coal is combusted to release its energy, there are also non-combustible "leftovers," called ash. While these used to be disposed of as waste, they are now recognized as a valuable component of many building materials.

The Headwaters Fort Mandan Visitor Center is a "concrete" example of how these coal combustion products can be used in building processes. The Visitor Center is also a tangible demonstration of Headwaters Incorporated's commitment to advancing sustainable business practices and products.

Fort Mandan Visitor Center

• Concrete throughout the Visitor Center contains coal fly ash, which replaces up to 70% of the portland cement typically found in cement. Cement made with fly ash is stronger, more durable and more resistant to chemicals.
• Ceiling tiles in the Visitor Center contain coal fly ash.
• Walking trails around the Visitor Center and Fort area are made up of a soil / cement mixture and contain up to 50% coal fly ash.
• Concrete flooring, sidewalks and parking lot are constructed on a base of coal bottom ash.
• Exterior walls are made up of Headwaters FlexCrete™ aerated concrete. One fifth the weight of regular concrete, FlexCrete™ is filled with tiny air bubbles that provide outstanding sound and thermal insulation. Coal fly ash comprises nearly 70% of the volume of FlexCrete™.
• Exterior walls and the building fireplace are covered with artificial stone that contains coal fly ash.
• Interior wallboard is manufactured with synthetic gypsum - a byproduct of power plant emissions control equipment.
• Interior walls are covered with MagnaWall™ stucco. Coal fly ash replaces more than 50% of the cement normally used in stucco.
• Carpet in the classroom and offices contains coal fly ash in the backing.

Building design for the entire Visitor Center focused on sustainable use of materials and environmental stewardship. The Visitor Center blends with its natural surrounding and uses energy efficient materials and technologies. As the points above clearly demonstrate, the building is a showcase for the sustainable uses of coal fly ash.

More information on the Headwaters Fort Mandan Visitor Center is available at http://www.headwaters.com/fortmandan/ and through the Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation web site - http://www.fortmandan.com/planningyourvisit/headwaters.asp. Photos of the Headwaters Fort Mandan Visitor Center are used with permission.

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