Illinois Waterway
Running the width of the state bearing its name, the Illinois Waterway is a system of channels with its beginnings just off Lake Michigan. It consists of eight locks and ends 336 miles to the southwest when it joins with the Mississippi River at Grafton, Ill.
The Complete Listing of Marinas and Locks on the Inland and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways
Lovin’ The Loop, Part 5
The rhythmic clatter of horse hooves and wagon wheels on cobblestone streets and the sweet smells of chocolate fudge escaping from open doors along Main Street are signs of a golden past. But we are in the present on Mackinac Island, Mich., where every effort has been made to slow things down, if not […] Read More
Corps Udpates, Expands Carp Plan
The Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) announced on June 4 the release of its updated Monitoring Response Plan (MRP) intended to protect the Great Lakes from Asian carp, and to prevent the invasive species from developing self-sustaining populations in the Great Lakes. For the first time, the MRP was released at […] Read More
NOAA Predicts Moderate Spring Flood Potential in Midwest
According to NOAA’s Spring Outlook, rivers in half of the continental United States are at minor or moderate risk of exceeding flood levels this spring, with the highest threat in the southern Great Lakes region due to above-average snowpack and a deep layer of frozen ground. The continuation of winter weather, above-average […] Read More
Spirit of Peoria & Hakuna Matata Offer Themed River Cruises
Live in the moment with a flair of yesteryear as you cruise on one of the few remaining paddlewheel boats on the Mississippi River or enjoy the river breeze on the Hakuna Matata excursion boat. The Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau (ARCVB) is partnering with the Spirit of Peoria and Grafton […] Read More
Corps Releases New Carp Report
The Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a joint report on December 23 on the possibility of Asian carp traveling past the electric barriers designed to keep them from migrating into the Great Lakes. Although the report sketched out some scenarios under which it is theoretically possible for […] Read More
Spirit of Illinois
Has a state ever been so misrepresented? It’s nicknamed the Prairie State, yet Illinois is edged on three sides by water, borders a Great Lake and is bisected by a major water thoroughfare for recreational boaters and the marine transportation industry. So say what you want textbooks, we know the true spirit of this […] Read More
Fall Fests
Marked by a pleasant change of color and climate, fall offers boaters in the Midwest a chance to enjoy their favorite pastime from a whole new perspective. What’s more, a variety of annual festivals spread throughout the region add to the seasonal opportunities with their autumn-inspired flavor and attractions. No, it’s not too late […] Read More
Reading a River Current
Boaters frequently overestimate river currents, especially during times of high water. People sometimes mention mile-per-hour (mph) speeds with two digits, but actual measurements are far from that. Part of the problem is that agencies that monitor rivers, like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) […] Read More