Wednesday...30 April 2008

 Over 1.3 Million Visitors Strong !

Pic of the Day

"Pool 25 Flood Waters"

Click on pic to enlarge

Our Pictures and e-mail of The Day...... are from Patty Williams of Pool 25 !
.   

Hi Riverbills!

    Thought maybe you would like a few pics from us in the other pool.  I have a place at Timberlake.  Last weekend (April 19), we all boated in and since I was the only person in the group that had dry concrete, we HAD to have a party!  So we bar-be-qued.  These are some pics of my house and the boats tied around it.  I’m sending it in two emails.  Hope you enjoy them.   If you want something different or some more, let me know.

   This first set of pictures is a view pulling up to our house and then the first boats tied under the house and the small patch of green that was left.

 Thanks

 Patty Williams

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Click on pic tp enlarge

The River Picture on This Day in 2007 ....... was sent in by Sharon Gwillim.  She snapped a picture of a red and green buoy a bit to close to navigate between.

Oh Buoy !

Bill,

   This is a picture of a couple of buoy's that are obviously off their mark.  Could you get your boat through there?? 

  We saw them on the way to the Wing Fling on 521. 

  Click here for Wing Fling  Pictures.

Sharon G

River Levels / Flood Warnings.........  

  The rivers levels are coming back up at Winfield, Grafton and Alton.  

Click here for more information for water levels Lock and Dam 25

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Click here for more information for water levels at Grafton

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Click here for more information for water levels at Lock and Dam 26

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   ~ Click here for current Doppler Radar and up-to-date River Levels / forecasts for Winfield, Grafton and Alton Dam 

~ Click here for the Nation Weather Service latest Flood Warning

~ Click here to go to NOAA River Flood Outlook website

Navigation Notice ...... Lock and Dam Closures

To:         ALL MARINERS
From:     Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date:      4/29/08
Subject: L/D Closure

NAVNOTICE # 1100

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
L/D 13 (LLNR 14500) MM 522.5 UMR
L/D 16 (LLNR 15000) MM 457.2 UMR
L/D 17 (LLNR 15135) MM 437.1 UMR
L/D 18 (LLNR 15295) MM 410.5 UMR
ALL ARE CLOSED TO NAVIGATION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO HIGH WATER.
MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE LOCK MASTER ON VHF FM CHNL 14 OR 16 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Click here to read Navigation Notice #1100   

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Navigation Notice ...... High Water Advisory Update

To:         ALL MARINERS
From:     Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date:      4/29/08
Subject: High Water Advisory Update

NAVNOTICE # 1099

Click here to read Navigation Notice #1099  

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Navigation Notice ...... Missouri River 

To:          ALL MARINERS
From:      Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date:       4/29/08
Subject:  CG Establishes ATON of MOR

NAVNOTICE # 1098

MISSOURI RIVER
THE COAST GUARD HAS ESTABLISHED ALL AIDS TO NAVIGATION FROM MM 226.4 TO MM 732.2 MOR FOR THE 2008 NAVIGATIONAL SEASON. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THIS RIVER WITH EXTREME CAUTION.

Click here to read Navigation Notice #1098  

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

What's Going on At The River Restaurants This Weekend

Click here to go to RiverBill's Restaurant Section

Farmer Wants A Wife  ......  

   The first episode ( of 11) is coming to TV Wednesday night at 8pm?

   Capt'n Alan Deutschmann sent us a picture of  the star of the show, Matt the farmer (green hat), himself (captain's hat).  From the produce stand in Boschertown... Cleveland and Jimmy who he believes have some parts in the series???  

   The series was filmed in Alan's neighborhood last year and he helped with the production.  They had to import 100% of the farm animals for the production.....and ....Alan also noted that he showed 20+ of the crew the river last year when he took them out for a cruise on his boat !

   Google/ Farmer Wants a Wife for more info.

Grafton's Landing Bar and Grill ......  

   New business Hours  & Daily Specials

Open Tuesday – Friday at 11:00 a.m. 
Saturday & Sunday at 8:00 a.m. for Breakfast

 full menu at 11:00 a.m.

Click here to go to 

Restaurant Section for Daily Specials

   Mississippi Valley Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society Invites Everyone to Attend:

3rd Annual Grafton Harbor 

Antique & Classic Boat and Outboard Show 

Saturday June 21, 2008

Sponsors Welcome !

   This year our show will attract over 35 Antique and Classic Boats on the water and on land. We are looking for slip sponsors, kind of like hole sponsors at a golf tournament.

   The $50 slip sponsor will receive signage attached to the deck in front of the sponsored slip. The sign will include details of the boat being shown. 

   Our $140. banner sponsors will receive placement of a 2'x4' Advertising Banner (banner furnished). Signage can include art work logos and pictures on vinyl.

For more information about becoming a sponsor contact:

    Jack Hartwig.....636-441-3559

    James Tobin.....314-249-3965

    Gene Hughes....314-291-1800

 www.missvaleyacbs.com

Brussels Ferry ...... 

  As of Tuesday at 1:50 PM the Brussels Ferry is open for business.

Cedar Hill Resort Update ------ Cedar Hill Resort has postponed their season opening until the flood water recedes.

  Keep your ear to RiverBill's for more information as it become available.

Golden Eagle Ferry, Winfield Ferry ...... 

  It has been reported, but not verified,  that the Golden Eagle Ferry is shut down due to high water, but the Winfield Ferry is sill running

Grafton Ferry ...... 

  The Grafton Ferry is shut down due to high water

Con Trios Yacht Club's Past Commodore Party ...... 

  RiverBill's received the following e-mail from Capt'n Darryll Weil, Webmaster for Con Trios Yacht Club.

Bill,

  Talked to Past Commodore Tim Tighe today (Tuesday) and he gave me the following information:
The Past Commodores Party is still on!
Grafton Harbor is set up to accommodate those of us with slip reservations.
The parking lot and sidewalk at the Grafton Harbor are still dry, but the downstream road entrance (the one nearest Grafton's Landing) has water on it. Joe suggests using the upstream entrance (the one closest to Jimbo's Hardware Store) to get into the Harbor by car.
The shuttle to and from the Aeries Winery for the Past Commodores Party WILL be running.
The Grafton Ferry is NOT running at this time.
Bottom line is, the party is still on, those of us going by boat, we need to allow a little extra time and take it very easy as quite a few homes are flooded along our route. I plan on staying WAY out in the channel to minimize wake hitting the shoreline. I also plan on getting there early Saturday morning to help!
Important notice for all PAST COMMODORES! REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR RED APRONS SO YOU LOOK GOOD COOKING AND SERVING!
Hope to see you all at the party!
Come H*LL or high water Con Trios Yacht Club is having a PARTY!

Darryll Weil

Click here to go to Con Trios Yacht club's website

Saturday, 24 May, 2008

  Vessel Safety Check Station at  Grafton Harbor

For more information, contact:

Anthony Turner

Chief, External Communications

Email: DVC-AX@Auxpa.org

310-908-6950
   www.auxpa.org

 Size Does Matter – When Choosing A Life Jacket

 There’s no doubt that life jackets save lives. In the United States an average of nine people a day die as a result of drowning - deaths that could have been prevented. But a life jacket that does not fit properly can put a person at risk of drowning. Proper fit is imperative for safety on the water. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has a few tips to follow when choosing a life jacket. 

 ·         Choose only a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved life jacket, and the correct size for the weight of the person. The USCG stamp of approval, size, whether it is for a child or an adult, and appropriate weight of the wearer should be listed inside the jacket. A person’s chest size and stomach size may come into play when selecting the right life jacket.

·         Use the “touchdown” test to see if your life jacket fits properly; Lift your arms above your head as if calling a touchdown. The chest portion of the jacket should not touch your chin when you look left, right or over your shoulder. If the jacket passes this test, it most likely fits. If possible try it out in shallow water. The life jacket should not ride up on your body. However, ride-up may happen if your stomach is larger than your chest.

·         Weigh a child and measure for chest size under the arms before shopping for a child’s life jacket. A properly fitting jacket should be snug but not tight.

·         Check for proper fit of a life jacket on a child. Wearing the jacket, the child should stand normally with arms at his or her sides. Grab the jacket at the shoulders and firmly lift up. The jacket does not fit if it moves more than three inches up and down the child’s body during the test.

·         Ensure a life jacket for an infant or child has a crotch strap to help keep the life jacket on, an oversized float collar to help keep the head out of the water and a grab loop for easier water rescue. All straps should be intact and fastened at all times.

So what is the safest life jacket? In terms of risk of drowning, the safest life jacket is the one you’re willing to wear! There are many good choices to keep safe on the water. Some of the choices are a better for certain situations than others, and therefore the choices are explained in the "Think Safe" life jacket pamphlet that is sold with every US Coast Guard approved life jacket. By reading the pamphlet, you can understand how to safely have fun on the water. For more information about life jacket types visit http://www.safeboatingcampaign.net/types.htm or http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/lifejackets.htm.

So what about the cost, aren’t life jackets expensive? Just keep in mind that no one thinks about the cost when they are in the water! The value of a life jacket could be priceless.

 The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and direct law enforcement actions. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an integral part of the United States Coast Guard. For more information visit www.cgaux.org  if you are ready to join visit http://join.cgaux.org/ .

### 

Doug Edelman - TKC Contractor

SIPRNET Tier 2 Support , ESU - St Louis

314-269-2460

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States

Ron Skeen Dies in Cancun, Mexico........

      RiverBill's received a phone call from Ron Skeen Jr.  He told us that his father lost his balance and fell to his death from a second floor hotel balcony while on vacation in Cancun Mexico.

Ron & Darlene Skeen 

Former Two Branch Marina boaters

 Our condolences go out to the entire family.

Updated Tue at 1:30PM 

With Deepest Sympathy........     

Shirley Winn , mother of Laura Kelley, has passed away

   Laura's mother, Shirley Winn, passed away on Saturday afternoon, at home, after a long courageous battle with cancer. Her husband, Ralph, and son, David, were at her side. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday (5-03-08) at 5:30 PM at:

John Calvin Presbyterian Church

12567 Natural Bridge Road

Bridgeton, Mo

Bill and Laura Kelley hail out of Two Branch Marina in the boat "The Laura Lee"

Member of Con Trios Yacht Club

Missouri Boating Law of the Month.....

Accident or collision, duties of operator--report required, when.

306.140. 1. It shall be the duty of the operator of a watercraft involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as the operator can do so without serious danger to the operator's watercraft, crew and passengers, to render to other persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to save them from or minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident, or other casualty, and also to give his or her name, address, and identification of his or her watercraft in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty.

2. In the case of collision, accident, or other casualty involving a watercraft, the operator thereof, if the collision, accident, or other casualty results in death or injury to a person or damage to property in excess of five hundred dollars, shall file with the Missouri state water patrol a full description of the collision, accident, or other casualty, including such information as the patrol may, by regulation, require.

(L. 1959 S.B. 142 § 10, A.L. 1985 H.B. 280, et al., A.L. 1989 S.B. 135, A.L. 2005 H.B. 353) 

 

Officer Lou Amighetti

Public Information Officer

Missouri State Water Patrol

 Coming Soon

River History...... Past Archives from the On-line Alton Telegraph

  Featured in the April 7th, 2008 edition of the Alton Telegraph was a picture of Lock and Dam 26 at Alton from 1939.  It features the gauge used to measure the river levels, a function that is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

  Click here and take-a-look-back-in-river-time.

SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

This Historic landmark Needs Your help !

A private initiative to save the steamboat Delta Queen

For more info go to www.save-the-delta-queen.org 

Click here to sign the on-line petition

~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~

Tuesday...29 April 2008

 Over 1.3 Million Visitors Strong !

Updated at 6:15 PM. Graftons Landing...Ferry Updates..more info on Ron Skeen Funeral

Pic of the Day

"Flood Waters"

Click on pic to enlarge

Our Pictures of The Day...... Are from Mike Hefferon 

Water Level

Winfield tailwater 30.08

Grafton 22.71

These were taken Saturday about the same time you took the pictures at Yacht Club, although we did see three boats venture out, I was not one of them.

Mike Hefferon
Lake Center Marina

.   

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Click on pic tp enlarge

The River Picture on This Day in 2005 ....... was of a   helicopter heading up river near Royal Landing.   It looks like it is low enough that it could pull a water skier.

River Levels / Flood Warnings.........  

  The rivers levels are coming back up at Winfield, Grafton and Alton.  

Click here for more information for water levels Lock and Dam 25

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Click here for more information for water levels at Grafton

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Click here for more information for water levels at Lock and Dam 26

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   ~ Click here for current Doppler Radar and up-to-date River Levels / forecasts for Winfield, Grafton and Alton Dam 

~ Click here for the Nation Weather Service latest Flood Warning

~ Click here to go to NOAA River Flood Outlook website

What's Going on At The River Restaurants This Weekend

Click here to go to RiverBill's Restaurant Section

Updated at 6:15 PM 

Grafton's Landing Bar and Grill ......  

   New business Hours  & Daily Specials

Open Tuesday – Friday at 11:00 a.m. 
Saturday & Sunday at 8:00 a.m. for Breakfast

 full menu at 11:00 a.m.

Click here to go to 

Restaurant Section for Daily Specials

Updated at 3:45 PM

   Mississippi Valley Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society Invites Everyone to Attend:

3rd Annual Grafton Harbor 

Antique & Classic Boat and Outboard Show 

Saturday June 21, 2008

Sponsors Welcome !

   This year our show will attract over 35 Antique and Classic Boats on the water and on land. We are looking for slip sponsors, kind of like hole sponsors at a golf tournament.

   The $50 slip sponsor will receive signage attached to the deck in front of the sponsored slip. The sign will include details of the boat being shown. 

   Our $140. banner sponsors will receive placement of a 2'x4' Advertising Banner (banner furnished). Signage can include art work logos and pictures on vinyl.

For more information about becoming a sponsor contact:

    Jack Hartwig.....636-441-3559

    James Tobin.....314-249-3965

    Gene Hughes....314-291-1800

 www.missvaleyacbs.com

Updated at 1:50 PM

Brussels Ferry ...... 

  As of Tuesday at 1:50 PM the Brussels Ferry is open for business.

Updated at 12:55 PM

Cedar Hill Resort Update ------ Cedar Hill Resort has postponed their season opening until the flood water recedes.

  Keep your ear to RiverBill's for more information as it become available.

Updated at 12:55 PM

Golden Eagle Ferry, Winfield Ferry ...... 

  It has been reported, but not verified,  that the Golden Eagle Ferry is shut down due to high water, but the Winfield Ferry is sill running

Updated at 12:45 PM

Grafton Ferry ...... 

  The Grafton Ferry is shut down due to high water

Updated at 12:00 Noon

Navigation Notice ...... L/D 11  CLOSURE

To:          ALL MARINERS
From:      Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date:       4/29/08
Subject:  Lock & Dam 11 Closure

NAVNOTICE # 1097

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
L/D 11 MM 583 UMR WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL NAVIGATION FM 1000 TO 1400
CDT ON 05MAY08. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CLOSURE IS TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE
OIL PUMPS FOR THE MITER GATE MACHINERY. TOWBOAT OPERATORS ARE
REQUESTED NOT TO TIE UP ON THE GUIDE WALLS DURING THIS CLOSURE
PERIOD.

Click here to read Navigation Notice #1097    

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

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Lock and Dam 11 is located  near Dubuque, Iowa.  Click here for more information from the on-line Wikipedia Encyclopedia.

Navigation Notice ...... L/D 17, 16, AND 13  CLOSURE

To:        ALL MARINERS
From:    Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date:     4/28/08
Subject: L/D CLOSURE
NAVNOTICE # 1093

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0125-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
CANCEL WESTERN RIVERS BNM NRS 0122, 0124-08 UM
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0125-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER L/D 17, 16, AND 13 ARE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO HIGH WATER. MARINERS ARE REQ TO CONTACT THE LOCK MASTERS ON VHF FM CH 14 OR 16 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Click here to read Navigation Notice #1093    

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~

Lock and Dam 13 is located  near Fulton, IL.  Click here for more information from the on-line Wikipedia Encyclopedia.

Lock and Dam 16 is located at river mile 457.2 near Muscatine, Iowa.  Click here for more information from the on-line Wikipedia Encyclopedia.

Lock and Dam 17 is located at river mile 437 near New Boston, Illinois.  Click here for more information from the on-line Wikipedia Encyclopedia.

RiverBill's Upcoming Events .....

   There's a boatload of "River-Things-To-Do" listed on RiverBill's Upcoming Events page..... Click here and check-em out !

Flood Committee Met To Evaluate Levee Repairs.........

    On Sunday afternoon, the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention Initiative Leadership Task Force, which is a group of about 15 members, got together to evaluate the levee problems in Monroe, Madison and St. Clair County. They had a meeting and also took a bus tour to look at the levees and determine what needs to be done. Evidently, there is about $180 million worth of repairs that need to be done. Higher levee standards are going into effect next year. There are about five Metro East levees that will not meet these standards. If that happens, the area will be considered a flood zone and the residents will be required to have more flood insurance.

To read this full story and more of what the committee has decided, click here on the Granite City Journal

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBill's............. click here   

Saturday, 24 May, 2008

  Vessel Safety Check Station at  Grafton Harbor

Contact:  Betty Zoellner

 Flotilla Commander 3-13 8WR USCGAUX

    District Staff Officer - Public Affairs

 bcz@charter.net

314-852-2909

April 28, 2008

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

US Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety Checks

Safe Boats Save Lives

Learn the federal and state requirements for operating a vessel, and make sure your boat or personal watercraft is in compliance.  Have a Vessel Safety Check performed to ensure that your vessel meets these requirements and has all the necessary safety equipment on board and in good condition.

Flotilla 3-13 of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will be conducting  a  free Vessel Safety Check Station at  Grafton Harbor May 24^th from 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.   If you will not be available at this time, you can still request to schedule a safety check for your vessel by contacting Karl at kdippold@spiff.net.

A Vessel Safety Check is a courtesy examination of your boat (Vessel) to verify the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment required by State and the Federal regulations. The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and is a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will also make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that will make you a safer boater.

This is not a boarding or a law enforcement issue. No citations will be given as a result of any deficiencies found. We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you may follow some of the suggestions given. Vessels that pass will be able to display our distinctive VSC decal. This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but you can be prepared to make this a positive encounter

To learn more about boater education, Vessel Safety Checks and other services provided by the Coast Guard Auxiliary – or if you are interested in learning how to become one of us – please visit us online at www.uscgauxflotilla3-13.org or contact us at bcz@charter.net.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer civilians who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement.  These men and women can be found on the nation’s waterways, in classrooms and on the dock, performing safety patrols, vessel safety examinations and public education.  The 28,000 members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions.

###

Doug Edelman - TKC Contractor

SIPRNET Tier 2 Support , ESU - St Louis

314-269-2460

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States

Ron Skeen Dies in Cancun, Mexico........

      RiverBill's received a phone call from Ron Skeen Jr.  He told us that his father lost his balance and fell to his death from a second floor hotel balcony while on vacation in Cancun Mexico.

Ron & Darlene Skeen 

Former Two Branch Marina boaters

 Our condolences go out to the entire family.

Updated Tue at 1:30PM 

With Deepest Sympathy........     

Shirley Winn , mother of Laura Kelley, has passed away

  Check the Obituary Page for more information....click here

With Deepest Sympathy........     

Lucille Carroll , mother of Dennis Carroll, has passed away

Check the Obituary Page for more information....click here

RiverBill's April Calendar :     10x 8 for your wall .......       Click here

Missouri State Water Patrol News Release.....

NEWS RELEASE
PUBLIC INFORMATION SECTION, P.O. Box 1368, Jefferson City, MO  65102

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lake of the Ozarks

Boat Thefts at Lake of the Ozarks

On April 25, 2008 during the early morning hours, boats were cut loose from their moorings and more than $12,000 in fishing equipment was stolen. The suspects appear to have stolen one boat and used it as transportation to the others. According to investigators, the boat believed to have been used to cross the channel was stolen from a dock near the 1-mile marker of the Grand Glaize Arm on Beach Drive in Osage Beach. It appears the thieves used the stolen boat to motor across the Grand Glaize Arm to a dock at the end of Passover Road, where they cut several boats loose, towed them out to the channel and left them adrift after they were stripped of rods, reels and tackle boxes. The thieves then returned to the other side of the channel, unloaded the stolen items from the other boats at a community ramp located at the end of Bonnie Drive in Osage Beach, they then left the area, leaving the boats drifting on the lake.

Simple precautionary measures can go a long way to discourage thieves who usually are looking for easy items to steal such as fishing equipment, electronics and anything else of value.

The Water Patrol offers a few tips to lower your risk of thefts:

· Store valuables in a secure, locked facility rather than leaving them in the open.
· Remove all items of value from their boats and docks when possible. One of the most effective deterrents of theft is lighting. Docks and marinas should be illuminated at night to give the appearance of activity. Lighting on docks can be added in the form of blue dock lights, yellow bug lights or regular lights with sensors or timers.
· Items attached or stowed onboard boats should be inventoried with serial numbers, if available. The color, make and model also should be logged. If an item does not have a serial number, a personal marking, such as initials, should be engraved onto it. Serial numbers or an identifying marking is important in recovering stolen property. Photos are helpful, but it needs some type of identifying mark.
· Video cameras may deter thieves and assist authorities in apprehending suspects. They are especially helpful on community docks.

If anyone sees anything suspicious, please report it immediately. If anyone has any information about these thefts or secondary markets for fishing tackle, please contact the Missouri State Water Patrol (573) 751-3333 or go online to http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov and click on the crime tip link to leave an anonymous tip.
 

News Release ID: N07080026
Release Date: 20080428

The above is re-printed from the Missouri Water Patrol website

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

Upcoming Event      Saturday, 17 May, 2008

Grafton Flood Fest

Mason Hollow Park

Main & Springfield 

11:00a.m.-11p.m.

Motor on up to Grafton for the Flood Fest!  Many activities are planned, including a Jon Boat Parade, kids games, the crowning of the Catfish Queen, and much more!  Admission is free.    

(618) 786-2000

Click here for more info

Missouri Boating Law of the Month.....

Accident or collision, duties of operator--report required, when.

306.140. 1. It shall be the duty of the operator of a watercraft involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as the operator can do so without serious danger to the operator's watercraft, crew and passengers, to render to other persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to save them from or minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident, or other casualty, and also to give his or her name, address, and identification of his or her watercraft in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty.

2. In the case of collision, accident, or other casualty involving a watercraft, the operator thereof, if the collision, accident, or other casualty results in death or injury to a person or damage to property in excess of five hundred dollars, shall file with the Missouri state water patrol a full description of the collision, accident, or other casualty, including such information as the patrol may, by regulation, require.

(L. 1959 S.B. 142 § 10, A.L. 1985 H.B. 280, et al., A.L. 1989 S.B. 135, A.L. 2005 H.B. 353) 

 

Officer Lou Amighetti

Public Information Officer

Missouri State Water Patrol

 Coming Soon

River History...... Past Archives from the On-line Alton Telegraph

  Featured in the April 19th, 2008 edition of the Alton Telegraph was a picture of a 600-foot lake freighter was that locked through the 600 ft lock at Dam 26 in Alton, IL. without incident    Many WWII war ships were converted into freighters in Great Lakes shipyards after the end of the war.

  Click here and take-a-look-back-in-river-time.

SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

This Historic landmark Needs Your help !

A private initiative to save the steamboat Delta Queen

For more info go to www.save-the-delta-queen.org 

Click here to sign the on-line petition

~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~

River Stages On Your Cell Phone:     Log on to your cell phone web browser & go to the following url address:  http://www.riverbills.com/river.html .  

What Could Have Been….

According to an article, in Southeast Missourians, New Madrid was once destined to become one of the most popular cities in the Midwest. This place was founded in 1789. Francis and Joseph Lesieur were two French Canadians who settled there in the 1780’s and set up trading posts to trade furs with the Indians. Its first name was “L’ Anse a la Graisse” or the “Greasy Bend.” Col. George Morgan, in 1789 named this town after a city in Spain. Big things were planned for this area. However, things changed. First, politics, then the earthquake hit. That area ended up in the bottom of the Mississippi River somewhere near the Kentucky shore.

To read this full fascinating historical story, click here

From RiverBill's Message Board.....  

  RiverBill's Message Board is a public service for the boaters who frequent this website.  

Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; they are not reflective of the views or opinions of RiverBills.com LLC.

~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~

Name:     lpx225
Date:       Tue 29 Apr 2008 02:26:24 PM EDT 
Subject:   Advertising in Excess. 

I truly love Riverbills website, but I have to say there are so many advertisers these days that the website has become a haven for advertising an not much about the River Crowd that brought this website to life. There has to be a happy medium here somewhere, if not it will end up being one giant advertising website like RiverBender. I completely understand the value of making money but I am becoming more an more discouraged with all the advertising. I have great respect for you Bill but I feel it is necessary to express my viewpoint, perhaps no one else agrees with my opinion, but nevertheless I felt it important to bring it up. 

Click here to go to RiverBill's Message Board

Monday...28 April 2008

 Over 1.3 Million Visitors Strong !

Pic of the Day

"Flood Waters"

Click on pic to enlarge

Our Pictures of The Day...... Are from Mike and Sherri Stanczak. 

Hi, Bill,
   Mike and I put the boat in the water yesterday (Saturday) and took a little ride. It was very nice out and the water was just like glass, however, you understand and respect the river when you see how much damage it is doing to clubhouses and businesses.

   I have attached a few photos that we took yesterday. 

Sherri

RiverBill says ....Thanks for the great pictures Sherri !   

                         Look for more flood pictures on Riverbill's tomorrow.......   

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Click on pic tp enlarge

The River Picture on This Day in 2006.....  was a Great River Sunset sent in by Betty Bannister, who hails out of Grafton Harbor .

River Levels / Flood Warnings.........  

  The rivers levels are coming back up at Winfield, Grafton and Alton.  

Click here for more information for water levels Lock and Dam 25

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Click here for more information for water levels at Grafton

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Click here for more information for water levels at Lock and Dam 26

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   ~ Click here for current Doppler Radar and up-to-date River Levels / forecasts for Winfield, Grafton and Alton Dam 

~ Click here for the Nation Weather Service latest Flood Warning

~ Click here to go to NOAA River Flood Outlook website

Navigation Notice ...... L/D 17 CLOSURE

To:         ALL MARINERS
From:     Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date:      4/27/08 

Subject: L/D 17 CLOSURE
NAVNOTICE # 1091

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0122-08 UM 
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED 
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0122-08 UM 
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER 
MM 437.1 
L/D 17 IS CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO HIGH 
WATER. MARINERS ARE REQ TO CONTACT THE LOCK MASTER AT (309)587-8125 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Click here to read Navigation Notice #1091    

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Lock and Dam 17 is located at river mile 437 near New Boston, Illinois.  Click here for more information from the on-line Wikipedia Encyclopedia.

Navigation Notice ...... L/D 16 CLOSURE

To:      ALL MARINERS
From:  Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date:   4/27/08 
Subject: L/D 16 CLOSURE
NAVNOTICE # 1092

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0122-08 UM 
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED 
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0122-08 UM 
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER 
MM 457.2 
L/D 16 IS CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO HIGH 
WATER. MARINERS ARE REQ TO CONTACT THE LOCK MASTER AT (309) 537-3191 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. 

Click here to read Navigation Notice #1092    

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Lock and Dam 16 is located at river mile 457.2 near Muscatine, Iowa.  Click here for more information from the on-line Wikipedia Encyclopedia.

RiverBill's Upcoming Events .....

   There's a boatload of "River-Things-To-Do" listed on RiverBill's Upcoming Events page..... Click here and check-em out !

Hannibal’s Last Flood Gate Will Go In On Sunday.....

    According to a news article on KHQA online, Hannibal has installed some flood gates to protect their city from the rising waters of the Mississippi River. . A couple of weeks ago, they installed flood gates at Center and Hill Street entrances. Last week they installed them at the South Main entrance. The last one is scheduled to go in on Sunday, April 27, 2008. 

   The flooding has hurt many of the businesses in Hannibal, including Bubba’s Restaurant and the Mark Twain Riverboat.  Bubba’s Restaurant will have  water on their floor if the river goes up as high as predicted. 

   To read more about these flood gates and the flooding in Hannibal, click here

Cedar Hill Resort  ------ will be opening for the season on Saturday, May 3rd. 

   Keep your marine radio tuned to channel "RiverBill's" over  the next few days for more information !

More River Rat Parrot Party Pictures............. Capt'n Dennis Carroll, who hails out of  The Yacht club of St. Louis in the boat "PROP POSITIONED", sent us more pictures of some RiverRats heading out to the Jimmy Buffett Concert last Thursday afternoon.

 Click here and check them out.

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBill's............. click here   

 Updated Sun at 11:00AM

More Bad News, Ron Skeen Dies in Cancun, Mexico........

   RiverBill's just received a phone call from Jackie Patrick. Ron Skeen, a former Two Branch Marina boater, fell yesterday while on vacation in Cancun Mexico and was killed.

Ron & Darlene Skeen 

 More information as it becomes available

With Deepest Sympathy........     

Shirley Winn , mother of Laura Kelley, has passed away

   Laura's mother, Shirley Winn, passed away on Saturday afternoon, at home, after a long courageous battle with cancer. Her husband, Ralph, and son, David, were at her side. 
   A memorial service is being planned.

Bill and Laura Kelley hail out of Two Branch Marina in the boat "The Laura Lee"

Member of Con Trios Yacht Club

Updated Sat at 3:40 PM

With Deepest Sympathy........     

Lucille Carroll , mother of Dennis Carroll, has passed away

Visitations:    3:00PM to 9:00PM on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at 

                      Hutchens Mortuary & Cremation Center 

Services:       10:30AM at Hutchens Mortuary on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 

For more information, click here to go to Hutchens Funeral Home website

RiverBill's April Calendar :     10x 8 for your wall .......       Click here

Saturday, 17 May, 2008

Grafton Flood Fest

Mason Hollow Park

Main & Springfield 

11:00a.m.-11p.m.

Motor on up to Grafton for the Flood Fest!  Many activities are planned, including a Jon Boat Parade, kids games, the crowning of the Catfish Queen, and much more!  Admission is free.    

(618) 786-2000

Click here for more info

River History...... Past Archives from the On-line Alton Telegraph

  Featured in the April 20th, 2008 edition of the Alton Telegraph was another flood picture.  It's of a crowd of flood watchers at the edge of the water at State and Broadway in Alton, IL in 1943.   The Mississippi River reached a high of 34.4 feet on May 24.

  Click here and take-a-look-back-in-river-time.

St. Charles Fire Fighters Save man Who Jumped Into In The Missouri River

  A man was reported jumping off of the Discovery Bridge on 370, into the Missouri River at approximately 2:20 AM on Friday morning. Two firefighters went out in the dark waters to look for him. They spotted him in dark using night goggles they and rescued him.  

  The jumper was he was taken to St. Joseph Hospital where he is reported to be in very critical condition, but is expected to survive. 

  To read the full story on this river rescue, click here on STLtoday.com

Missouri Boating Law of the Month.....

Accident or collision, duties of operator--report required, when.

306.140. 1. It shall be the duty of the operator of a watercraft involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as the operator can do so without serious danger to the operator's watercraft, crew and passengers, to render to other persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to save them from or minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident, or other casualty, and also to give his or her name, address, and identification of his or her watercraft in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty.

2. In the case of collision, accident, or other casualty involving a watercraft, the operator thereof, if the collision, accident, or other casualty results in death or injury to a person or damage to property in excess of five hundred dollars, shall file with the Missouri state water patrol a full description of the collision, accident, or other casualty, including such information as the patrol may, by regulation, require.

(L. 1959 S.B. 142 § 10, A.L. 1985 H.B. 280, et al., A.L. 1989 S.B. 135, A.L. 2005 H.B. 353) 

 

Officer Lou Amighetti

Public Information Officer

Missouri State Water Patrol

 Coming Soon

SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

This Historic landmark Needs Your help !

A private initiative to save the steamboat Delta Queen

For more info go to www.save-the-delta-queen.org 

Click here to sign the on-line petition

~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~

  Click here to read about the following article (dated April 27, 2008)  posted on the Save-The-Delta-Queen website:

Rep. Oberstar’s manipulatory tricks in his Delta Queen speech on the House of Representatives

Wings Of Spring Festival

   The telegraph.com reported that the third annual Wings of Spring Confluence Birding Festival was held last Saturday in West Alton, Missouri at the Riverlands Migratory Sanctuary. The festivities included a live band, food and and plenty of things to do and see. Children were able to do build  their own birdhouses to take home. 

 To read the full story, click here

Flood Rescue News From Afar......

   Workers Were Rescued From A River Tunnel

   According to an article in STLtoday.com, there were four workers out on a boat, working on a flood project area. They went through a tunnel which connects Turkey Creek with the Kansas River. Their boat capsized. Two of the men had their life jackets on and were taken down river by the current. The other two men were able to get to dry land inside the tunnel, which was about 800 to 1,000 feet away. All four of the men were rescued, treated for hypothermia and then were released. 

  To read the full story about this rescue, click here.

River Stages On Your Cell Phone:     Log on to your cell phone web browser & go to the following url address:  http://www.riverbills.com/river.html .  

River Destinations.... Grafton, IL

   Piasa Winery Holds Their 5^th Annual Mushroom Festival

   On Sunday, April 27, 2008, the Piasa Winery and Gift Shop held their 5^th annual Mushroom Festival. For $7.50 guest got to taste their wine and several different types of mushroom dishes prepared by local chefs. 

   It was a Mushroom Cook-off.... overlooking the  Mississippi River in Grafton, Illinois. 

   To read more about the ‘shroom boom in telegraph.com, click here

The Weekend Report

Fri, Sat, Sun...25, 26, 27 April 2008

 Over 1.3 Million Visitors Strong !

Updated Sun at 11:00AM...Ron Skeen killed in fall while in Cancun....news update....River Levels

 Updated Sat at 10:00PM....Laura Kelley's mother passed away....Dennis Carrol's mother passed away.....Updated RiverLevels ......   RiverBirds.net....Lake Ozarks Gas Prices....Pic of the day...News...

Pic of the Day

"Flood Waters"

Updated Sat at 10:30PM

Our Picture of The Day....Sunday.. Was sent in by Capt'n Darryll Wei, who hails out of the Yacht Club of St. Louis in the cruiser..."After You". 

Bill,

   After de-winterizing our boat.... pulled out of Yacht Club of St. Louis at a very slow idle to get a couple of pictures of the high water for future reference.
   These were taken on April 26th, 2008. Water levels were as follows:
Winfield Lock and Dam Tailwater 30.08 feet.
Grafton 22.71 feet.

Posted the rest of the pictures on my website, click on the link below to see them.

http://www.captainweil.com/20080426highwaterycsl/default.htm

Darryll Weil,

webmaster Con Trios Yacht Club

Pic of the Day

"River Rats in Paradise"

  Click on pic to enlarge

Updated Sat at 8:45AM

Our Picture of The Day....Saturday.. Was sent in by Capt'n Darryll Wei, who hails out of the Yacht Club of St. Louis in the cruiser..."After You".  It's a shot of some of the River Rats that met at Sybergs before the Jimmy Buffet Concert Thursday evening !  That's the 12 Volt band on stage playing the island tunes at the pre-party !

Bill,

  A bunch of us River Rats went to the Jimmy Buffet Concert Thursday. Click on the link below to read the story and see the pictures.

http://www.captainweil.com/20080424jimmybuffet/default.htm

Enjoy, Darryll

Pic of the Day

"Rock Dikes"

  Click on pic to enlarge

Our Picture and e-mail of The Day....Friday.. was sent in by Tony Roberson of Roberson's Marine Repair.

Bill,

 Thought I would send a couple of pics that the river rats might like to see. Pat Riley and I towed this boat off of the Missouri river Tues evening.

Thanks,

Tony Roberson

Roberson's Marine Repair

Have a great day and safe boating!

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Sunday

Click on pic tp enlarge

The River Picture on This Day in 2006...Sunday...was from Betty Bannister.  It's a picture from  "Jon Boat Wednesday".    A group of boaters from Grafton that get together on Wednesday's and go boating....... in jon boats.......   

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Saturday

Click on pic tp enlarge

The River Picture on This Day in 2006...Saturday..  . was of a  Turtle Fest in the Lehmond Island Slough.   These guys were all negotiating for a spot on this one log in the middle of the slough to get in some "Sun Time".   There were more turtles on the log when we first seen them, but some slipped off into the water as I approached.   Looks like there were still about 15 -16 left when this picture was taken, depending if you count them on the small picture or on the full size one.   Lehmond Island Slough is located between Dardenne Slough and Highway B at approximately the UMR 227 -228 mile marker.

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Friday

Click on pic tp enlarge

The River Picture on This Day in 2006...Friday..  was of our friend Dutch and a couple of his lady friends on the sundeck at Cedar Hill Resort.  Dutch brought the dancers along with him on his cruiser,  the Scoundrel, to provide entertainment for everyone that day.   Yeah Dutch ! 

Updated Sun at 7:30AM

River Levels / Flood Warnings.........  

  The rivers levels are coming back up at Winfield, Grafton and Alton.  

Click here for more information for water levels Lock and Dam 25

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Click here for more information for water levels at Grafton

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Click here for more information for water levels at Lock and Dam 26

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   ~ Click here for current Doppler Radar and up-to-date River Levels / forecasts for Winfield, Grafton and Alton Dam 

~ Click here for the Nation Weather Service latest Flood Warning

~ Click here to go to NOAA River Flood Outlook website

 Updated Sun at 11:00AM

More Bad News, Ron Skeen Dies in Cancun, Mexico........

   RiverBill's just received a phone call from Jackie Patrick. Ron Skeen, a former Two Branch Marina boater, fell yesterday while on vacation in Cancun Mexico and was killed.

Ron & Darlene Skeen 

 More information as it becomes available

 Updated Sun at 7:45AM

Initiative Leadership Task Force Touring Levees and Meeting........

   According to a news article on the US Army Corps of Engineers website.....members of the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention Initiative Leadership Task Force, who are focused on restoring levees in southwest Illinois, gathered Friday, April 25, to visit various levees and to meet.  They gathered at the National Great Rivers Museum at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Ill., to hear presentations and discuss issues.

Click here to read the news article

Updated Sat at 10:00PM

With Deepest Sympathy........     

Shirley Winn , mother of Laura Kelley, has passed away

   Laura's mother, Shirley Winn, passed away on Saturday afternoon, at home, after a long courageous battle with cancer. Her husband, Ralph, and son, David, were at her side. 
   A memorial service is being planned.

Bill and Laura Kelley hail out of Two Branch Marina in the boat "The Laura Lee"

Member of Con Trios Yacht Club

 Updated Saturday at 10:15AM

RiverBirds.net....

   Capt'n Darryll Weil sent us an e-mail that he uploaded a new "Picture of the Day" on Larry Demko's new website...RiverBirds.net.....

    Click here and take-a-peek.....Hah !

 Updated Saturday at 9:40AM

Gas on the water At Lake Ozarks....

    According to a news article in Lake Expo online Gas on the water at Lake Of The Ozarks is $3.95 and up this weekend.

   Click here to read the on-line news article.

 Updated Saturday at 9:30AM

Dutch and the Scoundrel.......

   Click here and check out Dutch's latest pictures from his winter river trip to South Padre Island, Texas

Updated Sat at 3:40 PM

With Deepest Sympathy........     

Lucille Carroll , mother of Dennis Carroll, has passed away

Visitations:    3:00PM to 9:00PM on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at 

                      Hutchens Mortuary & Cremation Center 

Services:       10:30AM at Hutchens Mortuary on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 

For more information, click here to go to Hutchens Funeral Home website

 Updated Saturday at 8:15 AM

The West Nile Virus.......

   With boating season here, so is mosquito season. Especially, since we have had such a wet spring already. They have predicted that bugs will be worse this year because of the flooding. They have found that of the forty different species of mosquitoes, there are only three types that usually carry the West Nile Virus (WNV). These three types of mosquitoes are rarely found in healthy wetlands. This means wetlands that are maintained and protected. This study was conducted in North Dakota. They encourage you not to let water sit stagnant such as in old tires, ditches or rain barrels. 

   To read more about what you can do to avoid these mosquitoes from breeding in your area and also what the Corps of Engineers is trying to do, click here on this interesting article about the West Nile Virus

 Updated Saturday at 8:00 AM

River History...... Past Archives from the On-line Alton Telegraph

  Featured in the April 21st 2008 edition of the Alton Telegraph was a picture of 1903 flood.   It's of a rescue in progress of some people from Alton's East End who were on a tiny piece of high ground.  The rescuers are walking a raft through the floodwaters.

  Click here and take-a-look-back-in-river-time.

 Updated Sat at 7:45 AM

New Rules For Upper Mississippi River Boaters........
    

   The U.S. fish and wildlife service has new rules for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge that take affect on May 27, 2008.

   Electric boat motors will have more space to go and will also have eight seasonal "no wake" zones. The beach goers are banned from having any kind of glass containers anywhere on these lands. Camp sites cannot be less than 200 feet from any trail, boat ramps or parking lot. 

   To read more about these laws published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife services in weau.com....  click here

For more information contact:

Upper Mississippi River Refuge Midwest Region Upper Mississippi River
National Wildlife & Fish Refuge
51 East 4th Street
Winona, MN 55987

Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention Initiative Leadership Task Force
touring levees and meeting........

Subject:   Media Availability15-08: Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention Initiative Leadership Task Force touring levees and meeting 
Date:       Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:39:42 -0500 
From:      "Stringham, George E MVS" <George.E.Stringham2@usace.army.mil> 

Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention Initiative Leadership Task Force
touring levees and meeting

Members of the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention Initiative Leadership Task Force, who are focused on restoring levees in southwest Illinois, will gather Friday, April 25, to visit various levees and to meet. They will gather at the National Great Rivers Museum at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Ill., to hear presentations and discuss issues. 

During their visit to the museum, they will hear presentations from people including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District Commander, Col.Lewis F. Setliff.

The media are invited to attend the presentations and to talk with Leadership Task Force and Corps of Engineers personnel from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Who: Members of Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention Initiative Leadership Task Force
What: Visiting regional levees and meeting
When: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: National Great Rivers Museum, on Hwy 143, 2 miles southeast of the Clark Bridge
Why: Update on Metro east levees and plans to rehabilitate them

Kinder's Spring Dance ........... THIS SATURDAY !

   Saturday, April 26, 2008

   DJ Josh will be spinning the records for your dancing pleasure !

See ya there !

Kinder's Is Open For Your Business every Fri, Sat and Sun

Call 618 - 883-2586  or    618 - 883-2356

Cedar Hill Resort  ------ will be opening for the season on Saturday, May 3rd. 

   Keep your marine radio tuned to channel "RiverBill's" over  the next few days for more information !

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBill's............. click here   

River History...... Past Archives from the On-line Alton Telegraph

  Featured in the April 22th 2008 edition of the Alton Telegraph was a picture of 1903 flood refugees from Alton's East End neighborhood.  They were leaving their homes for higher ground.

  Click here and take-a-look-back-in-river-time.

RiverBill's April Calendar :     10x 8 for your wall .......       Click here

Fishing Report  ------ The Missouri Department of Conservation has issued this week's Fishing Report.  

Mississippi River (above St. Louis):

45 degrees, high, muddy; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. 

(Report made on 4/24/2008)

Missouri River (below New Haven)

52 degrees, high, muddy; channel catfish fair on natural baits; all other species fair. 

(Report made on 4/24/2008)

Check out the report for the entire state of Missouri

.................go to  http://www.mdc.mo.gov/fish/fishrt/

Are Crops Killing Our Fish?

   Scientists are convinced that where, when and how we plant our crops are killing many fish in the Gulf of Mexico. Hypoxia is a lack of oxygen and that is what is happening to many of the fish and shrimp off the coast of Louisiana, west of the Mississippi Delta Queen. They feel that this problem is caused by fertilizer run off. The Mississippi River drains about 48% of the United States. 

    To read this interesting article in full and to find out what they are trying to do about this problem, click on the Red Orbit 

 Coming Soon

SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

This Historic landmark Needs Your help !

A private initiative to save the steamboat Delta Queen

For more info go to www.save-the-delta-queen.org 

Click here to sign the on-line petition

~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~

The following has been re-printed from the Save The Delta Queen website

Know Your Boating Laws..........

   Missouri Boating Law of the Month....Click here

Sales Tax Added To Pay For Levee Repairs

     The bill for the quarter cent raise to sales tax in Illinois has already been passed in Senate and is waiting the final action from House. This will help pay for repairs to levees and will affect Monroe, Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois. It has some people are concerned about the increase, but officials are promising that this is only a temporary increase until the levees are repaired. 

   To read more about this in the Alton Daily News, click here

Wednesday...23 April 2008

 Over 1.3 Million Visitors Strong !

Pic of the Day

Grafton Harbor Hot Tub Party

  Click on pic to enlarge

Our Pictures and e-mail of The Day...... are from Cheryl and Dan Rauschkolb, who hail out of Grafton Harbor in the cruiser "Never Satisfied".

HI Bill,

     A group of us from Grafton Harbor took advantage of Sunday's warm weather. We thought a dip in the hot tub would be a treat but with it still sitting in the parking lot we had to make do with what we had. We are supposed to have both the hot tub and pool installed by Memorial Day and were looking forward to it. All in all, Sunday was a real treat for us boat huggers.



Cheryl & Dan Rauschkolb
Grafton Harbor
"Never Satisfied"

Dan’s Boats

Family Owned Since 1996!  You’re not just another Sale to Us!

Click Here

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Click on pic tp enlarge

The River Picture on This Day in 2007....  was another aerial shot of the river sent in by Lloyd Bollinger, who hails out of the Yacht Club of St. Louis in the houseboat "SunKist III".  

Lloyd wrote:

Hey Bill,
   Attached is a good pic of the Dardene Slough and Main Channel of the Mississippi. You can see Woodland, Jack's, the Duck Club, as well as the upper part of Mason Chute.

LB

.   

River Levels / Flood Warnings.........  

  The rivers levels are coming back up at Winfield, Grafton and Alton.  

Click here for more information for water levels Lock and Dam 25

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~

Click here for more information for water levels at Grafton

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~

Click here for more information for water levels at Lock and Dam 26

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~

   ~ Click here for current Doppler Radar and up-to-date River Levels / forecasts for Winfield, Grafton and Alton Dam 

~ Click here for the Nation Weather Service latest Flood Warning

~ Click here to go to NOAA River Flood Outlook website

Lewis Boats

Marine Sales & Service

Boston WHALER            SKEETER Fishing Boats          YAMAHA

   We pledge to treat our customers with respect, honesty, and friendliness, and to provide products of quality and value.

4030 N Service Rd        Saint Peters, MO 63376       (636) 949-9926

Click here for map from Map Quest                            Click Here for website

Congress Rejects Bid to Renew Exemption for Delta Queen  ...........

    The House committee rejected a vote on legislation to renew a fire-safety exemption for the Delta Queen yesterday.  This exemption has allowed the historic Delta Queen travel our nation's rivers on overnight trips. 

  The Delta Queen has been cruising our rivers for more than 80 years on an exemption from US Coast Guard rules that bar overnight trips on vessels made primarily of wood. The current exemption current expires on Nov 1 unless it is renewed. 

  Click here to read more in today's edition of the STLtoday.com

Kinder's Spring Dance ...........

   Saturday, April 26, 2008

   DJ Josh will be spinning the records for your dancing pleasure !

See ya there !

Kinder's Is Open For Your Business every Fri, Sat and Sun

Call 618 - 883-2586  or    618 - 883-2356

Cedar Hill Resort  ------ will be opening for the season on Saturday, May 3rd. 

   Keep your marine radio tuned to channel "RiverBill's" over  the next few days for more information !

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBill's............. click here   

ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR ALL YOUR BOAT REPAIRS

  Pickup and Delivery  

Full Mechanical Repairs and Service

Mercury, Mariner, Johnson, Evinrude, OMC

Sterndrives, Outboards, Lower Units, Powerheads Engine Repair & Replacement  

  Written Estimates

All Insurance Companies Welcome

 34' Triple Axle Roller Trailer Available For Rental, 24' Pontoon Trailer Available 

 Hauling Available up to 40' / 18,000 lbs.

River History...... Past Archives from the On-line Alton Telegraph

  Featured in the April 15th 2008 edition of the Alton Telegraph was a picture of the Illinois side of the Clark  Bridge with a caption about people dancing in the streets when the bridge's tollbooth was demolished in 1958. The tollhouse was located in the middle of the curve of the bridge !  You can see it in the picture as well as traffic backed up all the way to the middle of the bridge and the edge of the picture.

  Click here and take-a-look-back-in-river-time.

What Can Ethanol In Your Gasoline Do To Your Gas Tank?

    The Los Angeles Times published a news article about a boater in San Diego who had problems with the gas tank in his boat. After trying many different things, he finally found out that his problem was from ethanol in his fiberglass gas tank. It is found that some older boats that have fiberglass gas tanks may have problems with the ethanol in gasoline. It eats away at it and will sometimes can cause big holes in the gas tanks. One of the problems is that many of the boats would cost more money to fix them than to replace them. In California, where this incident happened, the ethanol fuel blend is only 5.7%, which is low compared to most of the other states where it is usually about 10% blend. 

  To read the full story in Los Angeles Times, click here

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~

A big muddy thanks goes out to Capt'n Darryll Weil for the heads-up 

on the above news article !

RiverBill's April Calendar :     10x 8 for your wall .......       Click here

Good Music !

Delicious Food !!

Excellent

 Customer Service !!!

DJ Scott will be spinning the records this Friday night

The Band 3rd Degree ...Saturday night

Spectacular View From The Extended Deck

Courtesy Boat Parking For Restaurant

New This Year.. Convenience Store & Fuel Dock

River Mile 222

601 North Shore Drive        St. Charles, Mo       (636) 250-3800

 Click here for Map from MapQuest

Boat Slips Available For Rent !

Pictures From North Shore Oasis ......

RiverBill's loaded some pictures on the web from the first Saturday night that North Shore Oasis was open for business. (04-12-08)   The Sharks Band provided the tunes for everyones dancing enjoyment.  

  Click here to go to FLICKR and check them out ! 

Slip For Sale.......
   Harbor Point Yacht Club

    Slip # 115 located on the Promenade Dock, 55’ x 18’ equipped with 50 amp 125 volt & 50 amp 250 volt., great view of river. Yacht Club offers beautiful swimming pool, Club House, Restroom & Showers, Children’s recreation area & Laundry Room.

Security Gates at entrance and dock. Priced for quick sale. $25,000.00

Contact: Ernie Patti, 314-409-2458 or 636-532-0074

The Town of Pacific Is Having A Town Meeting About The Flood.........

     Tuesday evening, Pacific townspeople are meeting with county, state and federal government officials. Their problem is that at least 30 businesses and over 180 homes were hit with the flood last month. Even with the money they received with FEMA, most of them do not have enough to get back into their homes. They want to discuss having a buy out. 

   To read the full story in KSDK online, click here

RiverRat -Buffett Concert T's.........

Hey aIl!
I got a late start on Jimmy Buffett tees, but I have some great ones for Thursday night's concert! They serve a multitude of purposes, too. You can wear them again to Loading Dock when the Fins play, or when the Sharks play, or to Sharkey's restaurant, etc.
There are some long sleeved ones which represent a shark when you cross your arms and open and close them in front of you. I also have some short sleeved ones with different pictures on them. They are going fast, and I'll have them at Sybergs, but then I have to take some to the tailgate party in the lot at UMB. So call if you want one, because when Buffett plays the song"Fins", we all want to be SHARKS!
The long sleeved tees are $25.00 and the short sleeved are $20.00 Call 636-379-7446 or email back. 

Thanks,
Jeanie
Gateway Sign Design, LLC
636-379-7446

Help Wanted !  .......   Bartenders, Servers, & Cooks 

  Bartenders, Servers, & Cooks Needed for Marina on the Mississippi River..

VERY BUSY in the SUMMER!

Palisades Yacht Club, 1670 Riverview Drive, Portage Des Sioux, Mo. 63373
636-899-1093   or   Cell 636-233-2354

Click on Ad to go to Bloch Marine website

 Coming Soon

SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

This Historic landmark Needs Your help !

A private initiative to save the steamboat Delta Queen

For more info go to www.save-the-delta-queen.org 

Click here to sign the on-line petition

~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~

The following has been re-printed from the Save The Delta Queen website

Tuesday...22 April 2008

 Over 1.3 Million Visitors Strong !

Pic of the Day

Two Rivers Boat Club !

  Click on pic to enlarge

Our Pictures and e-mail of The Day...... are from Ed Shahan, of Boat Nuts Brokerage fame.   Ed sent us some pictures of the Two Rivers Marina Boat Club Meeting.

Hello Bill , 

Ed Shahan of Boat Nuts Brokerage Firm .  This weekend we had our boat club meeting ,Two Rivers Marina Boat Club .  We started off with a adult Easter egg hunt, featuring Ralph Mattingly (Easter bunny) hiding Easter eggs.   Ralph is the owner of a beautiful 47' Concord (OH SUZANNA).

    The 2nd photo is of our boat club members . They are all River Bills fans . Keep up the great job . 

Ed Shahan

Boat Nuts Brokerage Firm
WE ARE A WORLD WIDE BROKERAGE FIRM
WWW.BOATNUTSBROKERAGE.COM

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Friday

Click on pic tp enlarge

The River Picture on This Day in 2005....  was of a rustic looking house on Dardenne Slough that has always caught my attention.   

River Levels / Flood Warnings.........  

  The rivers levels are coming back up at Winfield, Grafton and Alton.  

Click here for more information for water levels Lock and Dam 25

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Click here for more information for water levels at Grafton

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Click here for more information for water levels at Lock and Dam 26

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   ~ Click here for current Doppler Radar and up-to-date River Levels / forecasts for Winfield, Grafton and Alton Dam 

~ Click here for the Nation Weather Service latest Flood Warning

~ Click here to go to NOAA River Flood Outlook website

Kinder's Spring Dance ...........

   Saturday, April 26, 2008

   DJ Josh will be spinning the records for your dancing pleasure !

See ya there !

Kinder's Is Open For Your Business every Fri, Sat and Sun

Call 618 - 883-2586  or    618 - 883-2356

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary's ......

    Safe Boating Course

  Upcoming Safe Boating Course... Preregistration is on-site at Cabela's in Hazelwood on Sunday, April 20 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM near the front entrance

Fishing Report  ------ The Missouri Department of Conservation has issued this week's Fishing Report.  

Mississippi River (above St. Louis):

48 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. 

(Report made on 4/17/2008)

Missouri River (below New Haven)

52 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on natural baits; all other species slow. 

(Report made on 4/17/2008)

Check out the report for the entire state of Missouri

.................go to  http://www.mdc.mo.gov/fish/fishrt/

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBill's............. click here   

Slip For Sale.......
   Harbor Point Yacht Club

    Slip # 115 located on the Promenade Dock, 55’ x 18’ equipped with 50 amp 125 volt & 50 amp 250 volt., great view of river. Yacht Club offers beautiful swimming pool, Club House, Restroom & Showers, Children’s recreation area & Laundry Room.

Security Gates at entrance and dock. Priced for quick sale. $25,000.00

Contact: Ernie Patti, 314-409-2458 or 636-532-0074

68-Year Old Man Dies At Indian Creek Marina, Mark Twain lake

     The body of a man was found floating near Indian Creek Marina in Mark Twain Lake Sunday night. He was the night watchman there and apparently had a heart attack. His body was recovered by the Missouri Water Patrol. 

   To read this full story on KHQA online, click here

ITCS Memo ......

Received the following e-mail from the River Industry Bulletin Board website:

  From: itcs@ribb.com
To: riverbill@prodigy.net 
Subject: Lock # 17 Closure 
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:43:45 -0600 

ITCS MEMO # 2649


Lock #17 is expected to go out of service due to high water late pm on
4/21 or early in the am 4/22. Water tops the upper gates at 18.2.
The forecast has the river cresting at 18.4 on April 24th. The lock is
not expected to open back up until the 27th. We will keep you posted as
conditions change or the lock gets closer to reopening. 

Ed Henleben
Senior Operations Manager
RIAC Chairman
Ingram Barge Company
#1 Davis Street Ferry Rd.
East Carondelet, IL 62240
Office - 618-286-1517
Cell - 314-304-2557
Fax - 615-695-3704
Ed.Henleben@ingrambarge.com

Click here to read the ITCS Memo #2649  

Check the ITCS website for most current memos

RiverBill's April Calendar :     10x 8 for your wall .......       Click here

Pictures From North Shore Oasis ......

RiverBill's loaded some pictures on the web from the first Saturday night that North Shore Oasis was open for business. (04-12-08)   The Sharks Band provided the tunes for everyones dancing enjoyment.  

  Click here to go to FLICKR and check them out ! 

Monday's Picture of the Day ......

   Who sent us the picture of the day on Monday ?  

   It was Ron Bachman, who hails out of Woodland Marina in a 51 FT wide body Gibson named "Done Looking."  He is retired and lives aboard his boat. Ron wrote that his family started him boating 56 years ago and has been ever since.

  Ron's in the top right corner of the group picture. 

 RiverBill says...Thanks again for the pictures Ron !

Land Yacht Destinations.........

   Meeting In Alton To Improve Bridge West

   There will be a council meeting in Alton, IL on Tuesday to discuss changes to the road going into Alton, Illinois from Bridge West.  Bridge West is the new term describing the road from the entrance to the Clark Bridge, west along Highway 67 through Piasa.  

   A local group in Alton would like to see the section of road improved, updated or changed based on community feedback.  All residents are invited for their input. 

  To learn more about this project in the Alton Daily News, click here

Winfield Lock and Dam River Cam Pic.......

   A interesting looking picture taken at  2:00AM this morning at Winfield lock and Dam by the US Army Corps of Engineers River Cam.

 Click here to go to the 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers  Research and Development Center website

Help Wanted !  .......   Bartenders, Servers, & Cooks 

  Bartenders, Servers, & Cooks Needed for Marina on the Mississippi River..

VERY BUSY in the SUMMER!

Palisades Yacht Club, 1670 Riverview Drive, Portage Des Sioux, Mo. 63373
636-899-1093   or   Cell 636-233-2354

 Coming Soon

SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

This Historic landmark Needs Your help !

A private initiative to save the steamboat Delta Queen

For more info go to www.save-the-delta-queen.org 

Click here to sign the on-line petition

~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~

River Stages On Your Cell Phone:     Log on to your cell phone web browser & go to the following url address:  http://www.riverbills.com/river.html .  

Earth Day At Forest Park Was A Success

   Earth Day wasn’t always as popular as it is these days. Just a handful of people seemed concerned about conserving energy for several years. They tried to use less gas. With the scare of global warning and high gas prices, more and more people are trying to be more aware of our environment and what they can do to help out. At Forest Park, Amern UE Home Depot were a couple of the big booths set up. They all taught people how to conserve energy and to save gas. 

   To read the full story on STLtoday.com  click here 

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~

  Check RiverBill's Upcoming Events for more Earth Day events at the area lakes.

RiverBirds.net....... Hah

   Make sure you read Larry Demko's new website....www.RiverBirds.net

Monday...21 April 2008

 Over 1.3 Million Visitors Strong !

Pic of the Day

  Click on pic to enlarge

Our Pictures and e-mail of The Day...... were sent to us by Rjbbachman.

Hello Bill, 

   The River`s Out Of Its Banks And Its Cloudy And Cool On This 19th Day Of April. It Was Not A Good Day For Boating. So A Group Of Us At Woodland Harbor Decided To Celebrate Some April birthdays. About 20 Riverats Showed Up And The Party Began. A Good Time Had By All, Despite The Weather. Here`s The Pictures Of The Birthday Boys And Girl. 

   Harry Steel Out Of The Duckclub, Ron Bachman, Kevin & Shirley Shaberg Out Of Woodland Harbor.

RiverBill says...Happy Birthday...Harry, Ron, Kevin and Shirley !   

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Friday

Click on pic tp enlarge

The River Picture on This Day in 2007....  was sent in by Capt'n Lloyd Bollinger, who hails out of the Yacht Club of St. Louis in the houseboat "SunKist III".  

Lloyd wrote:

Hey Bill,
Attached is a picture of the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers I took while flying. Note Grafton Marina in the picture. 

Lloyd

River Levels / Flood Warnings.........  

  The rivers levels are coming back up at Winfield, Grafton and Alton.  

Click here for more information for water levels Lock and Dam 25

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~

Click here for more information for water levels at Grafton

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~

Click here for more information for water levels at Lock and Dam 26

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~

   ~ Click here for current Doppler Radar and up-to-date River Levels / forecasts for Winfield, Grafton and Alton Dam 

~ Click here for the Nation Weather Service latest Flood Warning

~ Click here to go to NOAA River Flood Outlook website

From the Weekend Edition of RiverBill's

US Army Corps of Engineers ESprit :   The February / March Issue  is on-line.  

  Click here and check it out.

Lewis Boats

Marine Sales & Service

Boston WHALER            SKEETER Fishing Boats          YAMAHA

   We pledge to treat our customers with respect, honesty, and friendliness, and to provide products of quality and value.

4030 N Service Rd        Saint Peters, MO 63376       (636) 949-9926

Click here for map from Map Quest                            Click Here for website

River Destinations....

    Matt From Portage Des Sioux Is Looking For Ms. Right

   A 29-year old farmer from Portage Des Sioux was looking for the love of his life. Living in a small river town, with a population of 351, there is not a lot of ways to meet women. Especially, when you work about 12 hours a day. A few years ago, he sent his application for the “Bachelor”. CW’s “Farmer Wants a Wife,” flew out 10 city slicker girls, for 30 days, who may be a candidate for Matt’s wife. Most of them were used to the hustle and bustle of the city and were amazed how laid back the country was. Has Matt found true love with one of these girls? I guess you will have to find out on the show this year starting April 30^th at 9:00 p.m. 

   Click here to read more about this article and the TV show in the New York Post

Pictures From North Shore Oasis ......

RiverBill's loaded some pictures on the web from the first Saturday night that North Shore Oasis was open for business. (04-12-08)   The Sharks Band provided the tunes for everyones dancing enjoyment.  

  Click here to go to FLICKR and check them out ! 

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary's ......

    Safe Boating Course

  Upcoming Safe Boating Course... Preregistration is on-site at Cabela's in Hazelwood on Sunday, April 20 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM near the front entrance

Grafton Mudslide Stayed Stable This Weekend....

     In spite of the earthquake on Friday and the recent rain, the mudslide and landslide in Grafton, IL has stayed stable. The landslide evidently moved about six inches on Friday by 5:00 pm, but is doing ok. 

   To read the full story in Alton Telegraph, click here

A Boat Load Of Upcoming Events......  

RiverBill's added a boat-load of river related events to the Upcoming Events Page 

Click here and check them out

RiverBill's April Calendar :     10x 8 for your wall .......       Click here

Principia College Is Testing A Wind Turbine......

    According to on the April 17^th edition of the STLtoday.com, Principia College has constructed a 197 foot wind tower high above the Mississippi River across from the entrance to the school campus.     Officials are trying to figure out if it's a good site for a permanent wind tower with a turbine that would be used to generate electricity for the school.  They have estimated that a wind tower with a turbine could supply about 1/3 of collages electrical power. 

   Out of 4,000 colleges and universities across the United States and only 57 use turbine power. No other college in Illinois that has a wind tower with a turbine..... and there is only one in Missouri. 

  To read more click here

River Destinations.........

   Alton Joins The “Cool Cities” Campaign

    Alton is one of the 570 municipalities that belongs to the “Cool Cities” campaign, which started back in 2005. This means that they have installed more energy efficient street lamps. They have put in energy-saving fluorescent lights in the City Hall. They are considering methane gas, which is made at sewer plants to help conserve their $500,000 electric bills. They are thinking about trying solar panels and looking into wind farms to produce electricity. 

To find out more about this wonderful project and read the full story in STLtoday.com, click here

Help Wanted !  .......   Bartenders, Servers, & Cooks 

  Bartenders, Servers, & Cooks Needed for Marina on the Mississippi River..

VERY BUSY in the SUMMER!

Palisades Yacht Club, 1670 Riverview Drive, Portage Des Sioux, Mo. 63373
636-899-1093   or   Cell 636-233-2354

Digital Photography Courses.....

   With summer time coming up and boating season here now, most of us will be taking a lot of photos. Digital photography has become the way of the future. There are workshops available at the University of Missouri in St. Louis from 8 am to 1 pm on Monday, Wednesdays and Thursdays from May 15^th through June 5^th. 

    To find out more about these classes and how to get the most out of your photos, on STLtoday.com, click here

 Coming Soon

SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

This Historic landmark Needs Your help !

A private initiative to save the steamboat Delta Queen

For more info go to www.save-the-delta-queen.org 

Click here to sign the on-line petition

~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~

The following re-printed from the Save The Delta Queen website

Kinder's Spring Dance ...........

   Saturday, April 26, 2008

   DJ Josh will be spinning the records for your dancing pleasure !

See ya there !

Kinder's Is Open For Your Business every Fri, Sat and Sun

Call 618 - 883-2586  or    618 - 883-2356

River Stages On Your Cell Phone:     Log on to your cell phone web browser & go to the following url address:  http://www.riverbills.com/river.html .  

Sad News To Report...... Received the following info from Darryll Weil

John Dowell's parents both died Friday morning. His mother who had been bedridden for a while passed at 3am this morning. John's dad who was also very sick (hospice care) died shortly after at 9am this morning.
John is Con Trios Yacht Club's Judge Advocate and longtime member.
Our condolences to John and his family.
Will post more information as it becomes available. At this time no funeral is planned.

Info posted on www.contriosyachtclub.org


Darryll Weil

Webmaster Con Trios Yacht Club

River Destinations......

    Becky Thatcher’s Home Is Needs a Facelift

   Mark Twain’s 100^th anniversary will be in 2010. The town of Hannibal is trying to fix up Becky Thatcher’s Home before that date. There are several things that need to be fixed such as floors, roof, foundation, insulation and even framing. This renovation is estimated to be at $1.3 million. 

    Click here to read more about this and other repairs that need to be done on KHQA online.

The Weekend Edition

Fri, Sat, Sun...18, 19, 20 April 2008

 Over 1.3 Million Visitors Strong !

Updated Sun at 5:00 PM......New Price 1997 Gibson

...more pictures of Palisades Yacht Club in flood water

Pic of the Day

Sunday

Click here for more pictures of 

Palisades Yacht Club in the flood water !

 Updated Sun at 8:35AM

Our Pictures and e-mail of The Day....Sunday... was sent to us Amy Spencer of Palisades Yacht Club fame.....

Hi River Bill,

   Here are some pictures of poor Palisades Yacht Club under water & MUDD!! Good thing the floor & bar are made of concrete .................. we have our work cut out for us but we will blow the mudd out as soon as we can and be open for the warm weather coming! 

Amy@PYC

Pic of the Day

Saturday

 Updated Sat at 9:30 AM

Pic of the Day

Friday

Grafton Harbor Pools

Click on pic to enlarge

Our Pictures of The Day....Friday... were sent in by RiverBill's East-Side Reporter, Capt'n Carl Seidler, who hails out of Grafton Harbor.

  Grafton Harbor has their new swimming pool setting in the parking lot just waiting to be installed !

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~

RiverBill's received the following e-mail from Joe and Jan DeSherlia, of Grafton Harbor

Hi Bill,

We are close to installing our new pool. We are awaiting approval. 

The State of Illinois would not allow the first pool because it has a
2" safety step that is 3' underwater on the deep end. They require
smooth walls.
The first pool is for sale at a very reduced price. If any of your
readers are interested in the pool they can call us at the harbor.

Thanks for your interest. See you this summer.

Joe and Jan DeSherlia

RiverBill says...The pool will be a long awaited, good addition to the Grafton Harbor !

  Come on Summer !

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Saturday

Click on pic tp enlarge

Updated Sunday @7:35AM

The River Picture on This Day in 2007....  was another taken by Capt'n Robert Cope, of the boat "Slow Ride".     It's a great panoramic shot looking down the Mississippi River from the hills above the town of Louisiana, Mo. 

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Saturday

Click on pic tp enlarge

The River Picture on This Day in 2007....  was sent in  by Capt'n Robert Cope, of the boat "Slow Ride".     It's a rainbow over the Clarksville Lock and Dam that he snapped a on a road trip to that area. 

Yesteryears Picture of the Day

Friday

Click on pic tp enlarge

The River Picture on This Day in 2005....  was of some boaters on Iowa Island. The river was "up" a bit that day, but it didn't stop this group from heading to the beach for the afternoon.   It was just one of those beautiful Mississippi River Spring days.

Updated Sun at 7:35AM

River Levels / Flood Warnings.........  

  The rivers levels are coming back up at Winfield, Grafton and Alton.  

Click here for more information for water levels Lock and Dam 25

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~

Click here for more information for water levels at Grafton

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~

Click here for more information for water levels at Lock and Dam 26

~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~^~~~~

   ~ Click here for current Doppler Radar and up-to-date River Levels / forecasts for Winfield, Grafton and Alton Dam 

~ Click here for the Nation Weather Service latest Flood Warning

~ Click here to go to NOAA River Flood Outlook website

Updated Sun at 8:15 AM

US Army Corps of Engineers ESprit :   The February / March Issue  is on-line.  

  Click here and check it out.

Updated Sun at 8:00 AM

Navigation Notice ......

To:        ALL MARINERS
From:    Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date:     4/18/08 

Subject: ATON

NAVNOTICE # 1085

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0101-08 UM 

SAFETY AND SCHEDULED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED 
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT 0101-08 UM 
UPPER MISSISSIPPI 
LOCK 21 DAYBEACON (LLNR 15730) MI 325.5 LDB UMR IS DESTROYED. 
AID WILL BE REBUILT WHEN RIVER LEVEL DROPS. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO 
TRANSIT THE AREA WITH EXTREME CAUTION. 

Click here to read Navigation Notice #1085    

Check the CG/COE Hot Topics website for most current memos

Click here for more info on Lock 21 on the Mississippi River at Quincy, IL

Updated Sun at 7:50 AM

Sunday, 20 April, 2008

 Earth Day 2008 Event

 Earth Day at the Muny grounds.... Forest Park 

Visit the booth for the "Meeting of the Rivers Foundation" and the "National Great Rivers Research & Education Center." 

Click here for more information

Earth Day 2008 is on 22 April ...Click here for more info

Updated Sat @ 1:10PM

US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillas....Division 3

  Added a link to the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillas, Division 3 in the left hand column of this web page under the   US Coast Guard  header. 

   Click here to check out the new link  

Updated Sat @ 11:25AM

Lets Go Fishing....

    RBFF NewsWaves "Take Me Fishing" Special Edition

   RiverBill's received an e-mail from the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation with a link to a special edition of NewsWaves.

• New look and feel of TakeMeFishing.org – RBFF’s website

• New Event Planning Kit and Marketing Guide

• Latest on the State Direct Mail Marketing Program

   Click here and check-it-out... 

Updated Sat @ 11:25AM

Delta Queen Update.........  RiverBill's received the following e-mail from the Save The Delta Queen Campaign Team

~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~^~~~~~

For more info go to www.save-the-delta-queen.org 

  Updated Sat at 10:55AM

Contact:  Betty Zoellner

 Flotilla Commander 3-13 8WR USCGAUX

    District Staff Officer - Public Affairs

 bcz@charter.net

314-852-2909

April 19, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Mayor of Florissant to Recognize National Safe Boating Week

Florissant Mayor, Robert Lowery, will recognize National Safe Boating Week with a City Proclamation; and will make a personal presentation of the Proclamation to US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Commander, Betty Zoellner and members of Flotilla 3-13 of the Eighth Western Rivers District at the May 12 City Council Meeting.

Date:                12 May 2008

Time:                8:00 PM (Please arrive before 7:45 PM)

Location:           JFK Community Center

315 Howdershell in Florissant , MO

314-921-4250

Please note that the Council Meeting is being held in the Gymnasium, as the Council Chambers are being remodeled.

National Safe Boating Week is a Congressionally-Chartered week, commemorated annually during the first full week before Memorial Day – this year, May 17-23.

The North American Safe Boating Campaign is a large-scale international public awareness and outreach campaign, intended to save lives by encouraging safe and responsible behavior on the part of recreational boaters.  Established in 1958, it now involves more than 350 member organizations of the National Safe Boating Council (www.SafeBoatingCouncil.org), including the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The central focus of the North American Safe Boating Campaign is life jacket wear, and the simple and memorable campaign theme is “Wear It!”  Most recreational boating fatalities result from drowning.  Since over 90 percent of those who drown were not wearing a life jacket at the time, life jacket wear is considered the single most important behavior change that could prevent deaths on the water.

The Campaign also promotes Boater Education, avoidance of Boating Under the Influence (BUI), regular Vessel Safety Checks, awareness of the danger of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, and other important boating safety topics.

To learn more about boater education, Vessel Safety Checks and other services provided by the Coast Guard Auxiliary please visit us online at www.uscgauxflotilla3-13.org or contact us at bcz@charter.net.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer civilians who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement.  These men and women can be found on the nation’s waterways, in classrooms and on the dock, performing safety patrols, vessel safety examinations and public education.  The 28,000 members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions.

  Updated Fri at 6:35 PM

Sad News To Report...... Received the following info from Darryll Weil

John Dowell's parents both died this morning. His mother who had been bedridden for a while passed at 3am this morning. John's dad who was also very sick (hospice care) died shortly after at 9am this morning.
John is Con Trios Yacht Club's Judge Advocate and longtime member.
Our condolences to John and his family.
Will post more information as it becomes available. At this time no funeral is planned.

Info posted on www.contriosyachtclub.org


Darryll Weil

Webmaster Con Trios Yacht Club

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary's ......

    Safe Boating Course

  Upcoming Safe Boating Course... Preregistration is on-site at Cabela's in Hazelwood on Sunday, April 20 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM near the front entrance

Lewis Boats

Marine Sales & Service

Boston WHALER            SKEETER Fishing Boats          YAMAHA

   We pledge to treat our customers with respect, honesty, and friendliness, and to provide products of quality and value.

4030 N Service Rd        Saint Peters, MO 63376       (636) 949-9926

Click here for map from Map Quest                            Click Here for website

Bill Passed To Repair Illinois Levees......

     On Wednesday night, before 8:00 pm, a bill passed in Springfield, Illinois for levees to be repaired in three counties in Illinois. This bill was proposed in February and was voted on by 41–15 votes, which is considered to be satisfactory. This bill will allow St. Clair, Monroe and Madison counties to raise $180 million for improvements. This bill will repair and strengthen levees in these three counties. This will also raise the taxes for these counties until these repairs are made. 

To read the full story in Telegraph.com and find out what other things they will be doing, click here

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBill's............. click here   

ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR ALL YOUR BOAT REPAIRS

  Pickup and Delivery  

Full Mechanical Repairs and Service

Mercury, Mariner, Johnson, Evinrude, OMC

Sterndrives, Outboards, Lower Units, Powerheads Engine Repair & Replacement  

  Written Estimates

All Insurance Companies Welcome

 34' Triple Axle Roller Trailer Available For Rental, 24' Pontoon Trailer Available 

 Hauling Available up to 40' / 18,000 lbs.

RiverBill's April Calendar :     10x 8 for your wall .......       Click here

Iowa Is Under A Flood Watch......

   Iowa is under a flood watch starting Thursday evening. They are supposed to get two or three days of rain. This could hurt the flooding situation in the Midwest. Central and Eastern Iowa are going to get a couple of rounds of thunderstorms. 

To read the full story on KHQA online, click here

CPR Class........

   Con Trios Yacht Club (www.contriosyachtclub.org) is co-sponsoring a CPR Class with the St. Charles County Ambulance District for boaters and friends. 

For more information go to http://www.contriosyachtclub.org/cpr_class.htm

Attention.....River Rat Parrot Heads !

Missouri State Water Patrol News Release.....

NEWS RELEASE

PUBLIC INFORMATION SECTION, P.O. Box 1368, Jefferson City, MO  65102

 

For further information contact:

Captain Gary T. Haupt District 3 Commander Phone: (417) 335-6081

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Branson, MO

Caution Adjusting Dock Cables During High Water

High water in the region creates a potential danger to dock owners. In recent weeks, the Missouri State Water Patrol has taken reports on two incidents on Table Rock Lake as a result of dock owners adjusting the cables on their docks. One of the incidents resulted in a fatality and the other a serious injury.
Both incidents occurred when the victims released the brake on the winch securing a cable to their dock. The extreme pressure on the winch caused the winch handle to strike the victim. The high water and/or strong current on the area lakes are now increasing the potential for other similar incidents to occur. The cables holding the docks will be very tight, putting an extreme amount of pressure on the winches.
The Missouri State Water Patrol recommends a few safety tips when adjusting docks:
· Never adjust dock cables without assistance; it's a two-man job!
· Always wear a personal floatation device.
· Adjust the cables frequently to help alleviate the potential for excess tension on the cables and winch assembly. It is best to readjust with every foot of lake level change.
· Check the tension on the winch before releasing the brake. If it is extremely tight, contact a professional dock service to adjust the dock.

News Release ID: N07080022
Release Date: 20080417

 The above is re-printed from the Missouri Water Patrol website

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

Help Wanted !  .......   Bartenders, Servers, & Cooks 

  Bartenders, Servers, & Cooks Needed for Marina on the Mississippi River..

VERY BUSY in the SUMMER!

Palisades Yacht Club, 1670 Riverview Drive, Portage Des Sioux, Mo. 63373
636-899-1093   or   Cell 636-233-2354

The Great Rivers Research And Education Center.......

   The construction of the Great Rivers Research and Education Center was launched at the Melvin Price Lock and Dams in Alton, Illinois on Thursday afternoon. "This facility will be the first institution of its kind in the world to offer a comprehensive river system research and education program."

    The construction will take about 14 months and it will create jobs during and after the project is finished. According to the Alton Daily News, it will be a model of “green construction.”  It will not have any environmental impact, but will help with internal recyclable systems and renewable energy systems. 

To read more about this unique project, click here

 Coming Soon

SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

This Historic landmark Needs Your help !

A private initiative to save the steamboat Delta Queen

For more info go to www.save-the-delta-queen.org 

Click here to sign the on-line petition

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Kinder's Spring Dance ...........

   Saturday, April 26, 2008

   DJ Josh will be spinning the records for your dancing pleasure !

See ya there !

Kinder's Is Open For Your Business every Fri, Sat and Sun

Call 618 - 883-2586  or    618 - 883-2356

River Stages On Your Cell Phone:     Log on to your cell phone web browser & go to the following url address:  http://www.riverbills.com/river.html .  

Prevent Your Boat From Sinking.......

    Lots of boats that sink each year !  This can happen for many reasons, such as flooding, parts failing, clogged drains and even collision......but many times a boat sinks because of the bilge pump ! 

    Most boats are not equipped to pump out large amounts of water or they are not meant for constant operation. The Mad Mariner suggests several different type of monitors to alert you of slow leaks or if your boat is taking on too much water. 

  The monitors warn the owners about the impending problem by making beeping noises, lighting up indicator lights....or even by...... calling your cell phone, or notify the marina staff !

    To find out more details, click here

River News From Afar......