Hydro Dramatics Provides Oasis at St. Chalres Convention Center

Hydro Dramatics, the St. Louis, Mo.-based fountain consulting firm, has provided two dramatic outdoor water features and fountains at the recently opened $49 million St. Charles Convention Center at 1001 Veteran’s Memorial Parkway in St. Charles.

The convention Center features many amenities with an early American theme to reflect the historic character of Old St. Charles. Hydro Dramatics worked closely with Peckham, Guyton, Albers & viets, the project architect, to ensure that the water features complemented and enhanced the 21-acre site.

Hydro Dramatics designed a custom-built, underground vault that houses the pump, filtration system and electrical controls for the larger fountain so that its mechanics do not detract from its aesthetics. The fountain features a group of cascade nozzles that produce foamy, white columns of water. A smaller fountain includes a water castle jet that creates a fleur-de-lis effect.

“Easy access to fresh water was important in our nation’s history as travelers moved westward, and St. Charles played a historic and pivotal role in that movement,” says Kerry Friedman, vice president and general manager of Hydro Dramatics. “Just as weary travelers and their horses found respite at water troughs in the early days, we hope that our fountains replicate that feeling of relaxation for guests at the convention center.”

Hydro Dramatics has contributed water features and applied its fountain expertise to many St. Louis landmarks. It created the Gateway Geyser, the world’s tallest fountain, on the East St. Louis riverfront. It also has provided all for the fountain and water feature equipment for the world-renowned Missouri Botanical Garden, the recently renovated Grand Basin and Jewel Box in Forest Park, the Cypress Swamp at the St. Louis Zoo and the fountains at Saint Louis University.

In addition to creating fountains across the United States, Hydro Dramatics provides fountain equipment overseas, and designed and engineered a fountain for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia and recently one that was shipped to Doha, Qatar.