The city of Boise Idaho is a thriving hub of diversified industries that span agriculture, lumbering and wholesale trade. The economy also includes high-tech enterprises and federal government agencies. The downtown area is a hub of boutique shops, cafes and restaurants set among historic buildings.

Boise’s many parks and greenbelt trails hug the banks of the river, while the capitol building’s grand sandstone exterior is a local architectural highlight. The Idaho Historical Museum offers insight into the state’s past, with exhibits spanning prehistoric fur trading days to the pioneer era.

Visit the capital’s museum to discover its fascinating history and culture, with a focus on agriculture, fur-trading and pioneer settlements. Explore the exhibits on a self-guided tour or take a guided tour for groups of 10 or more people.

The interactive science center is a hit with kids (and adults!) of all ages. Learn how hot air balloons fly, or what makes a musical instrument sound the way it does, as you explore the dozens of hands-on exhibits. Then, let your imagination run wild at the planetarium, which shows the stars of the Boise night sky in all their glory.

The Boise Aquarium is a must-visit for animal lovers. Meet over 250 magnificent species, including starry pufferfish and axolotls. You can even observe sharks at different stages of development in the Shark Nursery. The aquarium is also home to an impressive collection of art, ranging from garden sculptures to pretty paintings donated by local stakeholders.

Whether you’re planning a family holiday or a romantic weekend away, there are plenty of swanky hotels in Boise Idaho to suit your needs. Hotel 43, for example, is a slick choice in the heart of the city, with rooms that cater to chic preferences and vibrant spirits, and superb downtown views. Alternatively, The Grove Hotel is an indulgent pick that delivers a truly personalized travel experience in Idaho’s cosmopolitan capital. Rooms are lavishly appointed with spa-like bathrooms and Italian linens, while you can cycle around town, ride the Mercedes-Benz shuttle or tuck into the restaurant’s smart dishes.

A visit to Boise isn’t complete without a stop at the acclaimed Jitters by Jayne. The coffee shop serves a wide range of hot and cold drinks, from classic espresso creations to tea and energy drinks. Sample the fresh baked muffins and bagels while you’re at it.

The gastronomic center of Boise is the downtown region, with an eclectic mix of cuisines. Known for its locally sourced ingredients, the downtown dining scene is one of the best in the state. The downtown area also boasts a handful of historic landmarks, such as the Old Idaho Penitentiary’s 19th-century prison cells and the Cyrus Jacobs/Uberuaga House.

For a more laidback dining experience, head to the Hyde Park Historic District for a range of neighborhood eateries, cafés and boutique shops set among historic buildings. The area is also a hotspot for art galleries and performances, with the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts hosting stellar productions throughout the year.

The Lockyer catchment provides significant environmental, economic and social values for the region. It supports a diverse range of agriculture including fruit, vegetables, horticulture and grains, with the region supplying 35% of Queensland’s vegetable supply. It also contains areas of World Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforest and has a high biodiversity value. The catchment is well known for its rich alluvial soils and ideal growing climate which enable the production of high quality crops.

The topography of the Lockyer catchment is varied and is characterised by steep slopes, gullies and confined channels which can have high water flow rates during storm events. This combination of natural features and human impacts on the landscape can influence how water moves through the catchment.

Erosion in these steep slopes results in sediment being deposited downstream, mainly in creeks and rivers. The sediment carries nutrients into streams and rivers, and can impact the quality of drinking water in Brisbane and Moreton Bay Marine Park.

Vegetation in the catchment slows and absorbs water, reducing the amount of sediment being carried downstream. It also allows water to seep into the ground where it recharges groundwater aquifers. The Concreter Lockyer Valley catchment’s natural features include basalt, enabling good levels of water infiltration and groundwater recharge. The basalt is capped by sandstone formations which can produce naturally saline groundwater. The catchment also has areas of deep alluvial plains which are made up of permeable silts, sands and gravels that can absorb and hold water for longer, recharging groundwater aquifers.

Many of the creeks in the Lockyer catchment flow through urban, rural and agricultural areas. The construction of levees and weirs restricts the flow of water, increases erosion, and removes vegetation along creek banks. This can result in higher flood induced forces on bridge structures and increase the risk of failure during severe flood events.

The construction of wetlands in the Lockyer catchment helps to reduce flood induced erosion by holding and trapping sediments and allowing for groundwater recharge. However, the loss of native vegetation in the upper reaches of the catchment has reduced their ability to absorb water and maintain soil stability.