Based in Carbondale, Illinois, Emriver, Inc. is quietly shaping how the world understands rivers. Founded by fluvial geomorphologist Steve Gough and now led by his wife Katherine Poulos, the company has spent decades crafting hands-on river process simulators that are used globally in classrooms, research labs, and conservation projects. These tools—stream tables and flumes—bring the dynamic behavior of rivers to life, helping students, scientists, and policymakers grasp the complex interactions between water, sediment, and land.
After Steve’s passing in 2020, Katherine took the helm to continue their shared mission. “Steve and I have strong conservation and environmental values,” she explains. “We decided we could do better by selling a teaching tool to help people understand the interaction of water and the earth, especially with climate change.” That vision has grown into a business with international reach yet deeply rooted in the southern Illinois community.
Emriver’s success is a testament to the power of local support. The company credits organizations like the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), First Southern Bank, the City of Carbondale, and Champion Community Investments for helping it thrive. Beyond formal partnerships, the region’s infrastructure, schools, and collaborative spirit have created fertile ground for innovation. “There are all those things that are difficult to assess,” she notes, “like a positive work culture and a supportive community.”
The company’s commitment to excellence is evident in its approach to customer relationships. Emriver builds durable, reliable products and backs them with responsive, knowledgeable service. It also gives back loaning a stream table each year to local schools and John A. Logan College, ensuring students in southern Illinois have access to tools that might otherwise be out of reach.
Keeping the team small and hiring people who are curious, collaborative, and positive has been a key to resilience. Emriver adapts by listening to clients and evolving with new teaching and research needs. “Rivers are complex systems and difficult to understand,” she says. “Our product makes some difficult-to-understand concepts click.”
Looking ahead, Emriver aims to expand international sales and eventually pass the company on to its employees. There’s also a vision to form a nonprofit focused on river and environmental education—further deepening its impact.
For aspiring entrepreneurs in Jackson County, her advice is simple but powerful: “Learn accounting. It will save you headaches later. Use the resources in this community—they are here to help.”
Jackson County, with its natural beauty and strong community ties, continues to shape Emriver’s journey. “The people, the land, and the pace of life,” she reflects. “I’m grateful every day to bike to work, enjoy nature, and live in a strong, supportive community.”
Emriver isn’t just building models—it’s building understanding, one river at a time.