~~~~~~ RiverBill's Archives~~~~~~
August 2008

A WEBSITE FOR THE  BOATING COMMUNITY 

OF THE 

MISSISSIPPI, ILLINOIS AND MISSOURI RIVERS

Labor Day Weekend

Saturday, Sunday

Aug 30, 31 ... 2008

Over 1.7 Million Visitors Strong !

Updated Sun at 9:00AM...... News, river levels

 Picture of the Day

Sunday

click on pic to enlarge

River Picture of the Day.......Sunday... is from Lorie and Steve Miller

Riverbill,

Wanted to share a picture taken Sunday, August 24, my husband is teaching our 5 year-old (3rd generation river rat), the rules of driving a boat. Unprompted, he gives an approaching boat the wave. Gotta Love It.

Lorie and Steve Miller

 Picture of the Day

Saturday

click on pic to enlarge

River Picture of the Day.......Saturday... is from Valerie Aulabaugh, who hals out of Grafton Marina in the boat.... "Last Call."

Bill,
Just wanted to send a picture of the RiverBarge Excursion Lines hotel barge that was moored at The Loading Dock today, Friday, 8/28/08. It's a rather awesome site on the river. Hope everyone has a great Labor Day. Be careful and be safe on the river this week-end!

Valerie Aulabaugh
Last Call

Click here to visit Classic Marine's website                               Click here to e-mail Michelle

Yester Year's River Pictures of the Day in 2007 ...... was sent in by Capt'n Larry Byrnes.

Yester Year's River Pictures of the Day in 2007 ...... were from Dan and Laura Hamilton of Dan's Boats fame.  They sent us an update of the Hogback 2007 party.

River Bill-

Hogback 2007 was Great!   With the flooding up north the Coast Guard asked us not to bring the group up there- but the party must go on!   Two Rivers Marina said they would make a Hogback Party for us!   Both Jamie and John were great. They had activities planned for our group- about 100 boaters- and even took everyone out on the Party Barge which ended up being a great time on Saturday. We went 8 miles up the Salt River . Dan’s Boats had a Pig Roast on Friday, there were all sorts of contests and a dinner on Saturday Evening. There were great prizes from: Grafton Harbor , Port Charles Marina, Golf Graphics, Captain Jack’s & Bargain Books. On the return trip home we were locked thru with that traveling group of Gypsy’s on that crazy barge of theirs- so here they come! 

Next years commodores are Glen & Julie Morris who hail out of John’s Boat Harbor (I think) and if they hold to tradition it would be Aug 22-23-24, 2008. The motto is “All the way in 08!” So mark your calendars!

Photo courtesy of Steve Bachmann of GR8 XCAPE

Thanks, 

Dan & Laura

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Navigation Notices ......

Updated Sunday at 8:30AM

Navigation Hazard MM224

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/31/08
Subject: HAZARD TO NAV ON UMR
NAVNOTICE # 1318

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0408-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0408-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
THE COAST GUARD HAS RECEIVED A REPORT OF A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO
NAVIGATION AT MM 224 UMR LDB. ON 31 AUG 08 A VESSEL REPORTED A NEWLY PLACED ROCK PILE IN THE VICINITY OF CALHOUN LANDING. ALL VESSELS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION.

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/29/08
Subject: DREDGING AT UMR MM 227.0
NAVNOTICE # 1316

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0406-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
CANCEL WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0399-08 UM
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0406-08 UM
COAST GUARD SECTOR UMR ISSUES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ADVISORY:
THE DREDGE POTTER HAS BEGUN DREDGING AT MM 227.0 UMR. DREDGING WILL BE 24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. A 30 MINUTE
ADVANCED NOTICE IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO PASSING BY CONTACTING THE DREDGE POTTER ON VHF FM CHANNELS 13 OR 16. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THIS AREA WITH EXTREME CAUTION.

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/29/08
Subject: DREDGING AT UMR MM 331.0
NAVNOTICE # 1315

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0405-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL 062300Z SEP 08
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0405-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
HYDRAULIC DREDGING OPERATIONS WILL COMMENCE AT MM 331.0 UMR ON
SATURDAY 30AUG08 AT 0700 CDT AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 06SEP08.
DREDGING WILL BE PERFORMED 7 DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS PER DAY. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE DREDGE GOETZ ON CHANNELS 13, 16, OR 82, 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO TRANSITING THE AREA FOR PASSING INSTRUCTIONS. A CROSSING LINE WILL BE IN PLACE. MARINERS ARE URGED TO TRANSIT AT THEIR SLOWEST SAFE SPEED TO MINIMIZE WAKE AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION AFTER PASSING ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/29/08
Subject: Shoaling at mm 178 UMR
NAVNOTICE # 1314

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0404-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0404-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
THE CG RECEIVED A RPT OF SHOALING AT MM 178.0 UMR EXTENDING
APPROXIMATELY 300 FT OFF THE LEFT DESCENDING BANK. A M/V
BUMPED BOTTOM AT THIS LOCATION WITH A 9 FT DRAFT WITH L/D 27 LOWER
POOL GAUGE READING 300.0 - 350.0 FT ON 29AUG08. MARINERS ARE
REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THIS AREA WITH EXTRA CAUTION.

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/29/08
Subject: L/D CLOSURE UPDATE
NAVNOTICE # 1313

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0403-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
CANCEL WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0390-08 UM
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0403-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI THE MAIN CHAMBER AT L/D 27 IS CURRENTLY CLOSED AND WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THE PURPOSE FOR THIS CLOSURE IS TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE DIAGONALS ON THE D/S MITAR GATE AND TO DEWATER THE MAIN CHAMBER. THE AUXILIARY CHAMBER WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THIS PERIOD AND A HELPER BOAT WILL BE AVIALABLE TO ASSIST MARINERS. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THIS AREA WITH CAUTION AND CONTACT THE LOCKMASTER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
 

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

Missouri State Water Patrol News Release.....

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jefferson City

New Laws In Effect On the Water for the Labor Day Weekend

The traditional end of summer is upon us and while many people will be boating well into the fall, for some Labor Day weekend is the last hurrah of the summer boating season. The Missouri State Water Patrol asks that boaters stay vigilant in their safe boating practices. Remember the rivers and lakes will be more crowded than other weekends due to the three day weekend. Slow down and be courteous to other boaters around you. Allow for extra time while loading and launching boats.

In addition to the added traffic there will be a number of new laws that will take affect on Thursday, August 28 which boaters will need to be aware of.

· Missouri's legal blood alcohol content for operating a vessel will drop from .10% to .08%.

· Boats must come to an idle speed within 100 feet of an emergency vessel that is displaying flashing lights.

· The nighttime speed limit of 30 m.p.h. has been expanded to include all state waterways.

A law making it illegal to obstruct the flow of traffic on the water was expanded to apply to all state waterways.



News Release ID: N07080178
Release Date: 20080826

News Release N07080181

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

 Please check our website www.sundownersstl.com

Sundowners....

Come spend Labor Day weekend with Sundowners featuring Gary Sluhan (calling all parrotheads) on Friday, St Louis Dogs on Saturday (the best of funk, dance and rock-you won't want to miss this)), and everyone's favorite the Sharks on Sunday. Monday we will conclude the weekend with a BBQ buffet from 2-6pm featuring an assortment of salads, porksteaks, ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs plus all the fixings! $12.95 adults & $5.95 children Hope to see you there.

Happy Boating!

Jon & Kelley Klipp

Sundowners Restaurant At Yacht Club of St. Louis

It's Our Island Paradise ... Lets Keep It Clean !

The LST Is Stranded On Mississippi River Due To Low Water.....

The USS LST 325 World War II troop and tank landing craft was scheduled to be in Moline by Wednesday is stuck in Burlington because of the low water. The Mississippi River is closed at Oquawka.

The ship needs a minimum of eight feet of water and the low waters has made it hard for the pilot to maneuver it.  The sediment and sand has shifted due to the recent flooding and has caused the water to be shallow in many places. There were several places where they hit ground.

 To read this article in its entirety, click here
 

First West Nile Case Confirmed In Missouri......

A 52 year old man was just released from the hospital last week after being treated for the West Nile disease. This is the first confirmed case in Missouri this year. There are four other unconfirmed cases in Missouri. Last year, there were 77 cases of the West Nile Virus. Usually if you are bitten by a mosquito carrying the West Nile, you will have flu-like symptoms and they can last up to 15 days. The four counties that have had the virus are St. Louis, St. Charles, Morgan and Johnson Counties.

To learn more about the West Nile Virus, click here  or to read this full article in the STLtoday.com, click here

What To Do With All Of Those Carp.........

Fishermen in Utah are catching millions of carp. They are eating all of the plants at the bottom of the lakes and have caused problems for other fish that usually eat those plants.

Now they are trying to figure out what to do with all of the dead carp. Some ideas on the table so far include; fish meal, pet food, fish sticks, and canned carp. Other ideas include converting carp into fuel for our cars, garden fertilizer, fish sauce, a protein source in imitation crab meat, and for human consumption in countries in Asia and Europe.

A professor at Brigham Young University  reported he has developed a simple method of liquefying carp into a product that don't require refrigeration !

To read more about this interesting news story, click here on Mad Mariner

The Arctic Sea Is At Second Lowest Level On Record......

The Arctic Sea is at the second lowest level that it has been since they have been monitoring it. It was the lowest in 2005. The environmental groups believe this is another stage in global warming. It is going down at a very quick pace. They say that the affect this has had on the residents in the Arctic, will soon reach other people worldwide.

To read more about this story, click here on Mad Mariner

Labor Day Weekend

Friday

Aug 29 ... 2008

Over 1.7 Million Visitors Strong !

 Picture of the Day

click on pic to enlarge

River Pictures of the Day.......... are from Tony Lubbert of Marine Max Fame......

Bill

I saw this Monday afternoon. I have no idea what it is. I past it up going down river, but 2 hours later on my way back up it was still in the same spot, between Sherwood and the Duck Club. The water around it was 10 ft deep, but it wasn't moving with the current


Tony Luebbert
MarineMax
2725 Veteran's Memorial Parkway
Saint Charles, MO 63303

Click here to visit Classic Marine's website                               Click here to e-mail Michelle

Yester Year's River Picture of the Day in 2006 ...... was from Louisiana , Missouri's Paddlefest 2006. 

Above are Kevin Dempsey, Event Organizer, along with Susan Spalding, kayak enthusiast; both are from Louisiana.
 

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Navigation Notice ......

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/28/08
Subject: DREDGING AT MM 233.0 UMR
NAVNOTICE # 1310

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0399-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
CANCEL WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0394-08 UM
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0399-08 UM
COAST GUARD SECTOR UMR ISSUES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ADVISORY:
THE DREDGE POTTER HAS BEGUN DREDGING AT MM 233.0 UMR. DREDGING WILL BE 24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. A 30 MINUTE
ADVANCED NOTICE IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO PASSING BY CONTACTING THE DREDGE POTTER ON VHF FM CHANNELS 13 OR 16. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THIS AREA WITH EXTREME CAUTION.

 

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

Missouri State Water Patrol News Release.....

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jefferson City

New Laws In Effect On the Water for the Labor Day Weekend

The traditional end of summer is upon us and while many people will be boating well into the fall, for some Labor Day weekend is the last hurrah of the summer boating season. The Missouri State Water Patrol asks that boaters stay vigilant in their safe boating practices. Remember the rivers and lakes will be more crowded than other weekends due to the three day weekend. Slow down and be courteous to other boaters around you. Allow for extra time while loading and launching boats.

In addition to the added traffic there will be a number of new laws that will take affect on Thursday, August 28 which boaters will need to be aware of.

· Missouri's legal blood alcohol content for operating a vessel will drop from .10% to .08%.

· Boats must come to an idle speed within 100 feet of an emergency vessel that is displaying flashing lights.

· The nighttime speed limit of 30 m.p.h. has been expanded to include all state waterways.

A law making it illegal to obstruct the flow of traffic on the water was expanded to apply to all state waterways.



News Release ID: N07080178
Release Date: 20080826

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

 Please check our website www.sundownersstl.com

Sundowners....

Come spend Labor Day weekend with Sundowners featuring Gary Sluhan (calling all parrotheads) on Friday, St Louis Dogs on Saturday (the best of funk, dance and rock-you won't want to miss this)), and everyone's favorite the Sharks on Sunday. Monday we will conclude the weekend with a BBQ buffet from 2-6pm featuring an assortment of salads, porksteaks, ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs plus all the fixings! $12.95 adults & $5.95 children Hope to see you there.

Happy Boating!

Jon & Kelley Klipp

Sundowners Restaurant At Yacht Club of St. Louis

It's Our Island Paradise ... Lets Keep It Clean !

Fort Kaskaskia Historic Site on Mississippi River Closing ......  

The Fort Kaskaskia historic site, situated on a bluff overlooking the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers will be closed down on the 1st of October, 2008 as part of a cost-saving measure of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
 The village of Kaskaskia was the second European settlement in the state of Illinois.  It was founded in 1703 by the French. The town residents built the fort on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River in fear of an attack from the British during the French and Indian War.
                           
The fort is located south of St Louis near Chester, Illinois.    Click here for map.
 

Click here to read the news article in the pjstar.com

 

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

Mississippi River (above St. Louis):

75 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on stinkbaits; flathead catfish fair on live bluegill; blue catfish fair on cut and whole shad; all other species slow.

(Report made on 8/28/2008)
 

Missouri River (below New Haven)

80 degrees, low, clear; channel catfish and carp good on worms; all species fair on natural baits.

(Report made on 8/28/2008)

(Report made on 8/28/2008)
 

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The above reprinted from the weekly [Mo-fish] Weekly Fishing Report e-mail.

Check out the report for the entire state of Missouri

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

 SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

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

Thursday

Aug 28 ... 2008

Over 1.7 Million Visitors Strong !

 Picture of the Day

Gibson Skiing !

click on pic to enlarge

River Pictures of the Day.......... is from Capt' n Mark Cutler, who hails out of Lake Center Marina in the cruiser, "Cutty's Ark"

Hi Bill,

Here are three pics we took during our return trip from Halfback this past weekend. It appears that the classic Gibson 44 houseboat is also a wakeboard boat. Maybe Gibson could build a special live aboard wakeboard addition! My son Zac is in the first two and Abby Karecki is in the last photo. Cedar Hill is in the background of the second pic.

Mark Cutler
Cutty's Ark
 

Click here to visit Classic Marine's website                               Click here to e-mail Michelle

Yester Year's River Picture of the Day in 2007 ...... was from Island David Diederich.  He has some good information for the Pool 26 boaters.  

Hello Bill:

Unfortunately, we were unable to warn this boater about the low water conditions on the north side of Piasa Island. So here is a warning to everyone else. 

When high water conditions are expected further north, the Corp opens up the Alton dam. This often creates low water conditions closer to the dam. It is entirely possible to have flood conditions in Grafton and low water conditions in Alton.

Several attempts were made to pull the boat off with a rope, but eventually enough boaters jumped in the water and pushed him off. The water depth in the middle of the slough was about 8 inches. Currently, the deeper water is along the Illinois shore, but this can change at any time.

Island Dave

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Navigation Notice ......

To:     ALL MARINERS
From:   Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/27/08
Subject: Shoaling Between MM 140-143 ILR (BNM 0398-08)
NAVNOTICE # 1309

ILLINOIS WATERWAY
THE CG RECEIVED A REPORT OF SHOALING BETWEEN MM 140-143 ILR FROM USACE. SURVEY CREWS FOUND 9'6" AT NUMEROUS LOCATIONS THROUGHT THE AREA WITH PEORIA L/D LOWER POOL GAUGE READING 430.70 FT ON 27AUG08. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH EXTREME CAUTION.


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To:     ALL MARINERS
From:   Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/27/08
Subject: Shoaling MM 116.3 ILR (BNM 0397-08)
NAVNOTICE # 1308

THE CG RCVD A RPT OF SHOALING IVO MM 116.3 ILR. A M/V RAN AGROUND
INSIDE THE NAV CHNL ALONG THE LEFT DESCENDING NUN BUOY LINE. THE M/V HAD A 9 FT DRAFT WITH THE LAGRANGE L/D READING 430.77 FT ON THE
27AUG08. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION.
BT
 

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To:     ALL MARINERS
From:   Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/27/08
Subject: Shoaling Between MM 76.3-76.5 ILR (BNM 0396-08)
NAVNOTICE # 1307

THE CG HAS RECEIVED A REPORT OF SHOALING BETWEEN MM 76.3-76.5 ILR.
SOUNDINGS SHOW 9FT OR LESS MID-CHANNEL WITH LA GRANGE L/D LOWER POOL GAUGE READING 420.41 FT ON 27AUG08. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION AND FAVOR THE RIGHT DECENDING CAN BOUY LINE.
 

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To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/27/08
Subject: Shoaling MM 424.0 UMR (BNM 0395-08)
NAVNOTICE # 1306

THE CG HAS RECEIVED A REPORT OF SHOALING AT MM 424.0 UMR EXTENDING 150 FT INTO THE CHANNEL FROM THE RIGHT DECENDING CAN BOUY LINE. THE MOST SHALLOW PART OF THE SHOALING IS 7'8" WITH L/D 18 UPPER POOL GAUGE READING 9.59 FT ON 27AUG08. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND FAVOR THE LEFT DECENDING NUN BOUY LINE.
 

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

Missouri State Water Patrol News Release.....

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jefferson City

New Laws In Effect On the Water for the Labor Day Weekend

The traditional end of summer is upon us and while many people will be boating well into the fall, for some Labor Day weekend is the last hurrah of the summer boating season. The Missouri State Water Patrol asks that boaters stay vigilant in their safe boating practices. Remember the rivers and lakes will be more crowded than other weekends due to the three day weekend. Slow down and be courteous to other boaters around you. Allow for extra time while loading and launching boats.

In addition to the added traffic there will be a number of new laws that will take affect on Thursday, August 28 which boaters will need to be aware of.

· Missouri's legal blood alcohol content for operating a vessel will drop from .10% to .08%.

· Boats must come to an idle speed within 100 feet of an emergency vessel that is displaying flashing lights.

· The nighttime speed limit of 30 m.p.h. has been expanded to include all state waterways.

A law making it illegal to obstruct the flow of traffic on the water was expanded to apply to all state waterways.



News Release ID: N07080178
Release Date: 20080826

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

Public Notices Open For Comment

   Posted on the US Army Corps Of Engineers Website.....

1. P-2682: Kaskaskia River Marine/Campgrounds Inc. seeks authorization for the excavation of the northeast section of the existing boat basin and the creation of additional campsites at the Kaskaskia River Marina. The proposed activities for this project are for the excavation of approximately 1600 cubic yards of accumulated sediment within the marina, placing the excavated material adjacent to the boat basin to be graded and used for a 315 foot by 80 ft area for the placement of campsites, installation of a approximate 100 foot culvert extension, placement of approximately 480 linear feet of rip-rap 3 feet high along the banks, installing water, sewer and electric utilities and creation of rock impact sites for individual campsites. The harbor is located adjacent to the left descending bank of the Kaskaskia River, at approximate river mile 28.5, in New Athens, Illinois. The public notice comment period opens on August 28, 2008 and closes on September 18, 2008.

Click here for more information on the above notices

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The above was reprinted from the US Army Corps of Engineers website.

Information presented on CorpsWeb public web sites is considered public information and may be distributed or copied.

News Release

      Release No. 57-05

    Point of Contact: Public Affairs Office, 314-331-8068/8002

For Release:  IMMEDIATE - August 27, 2008      

1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO, 63103-2833    www.mvs.usace.army.mil 

St. Louis – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District ramped up efforts this
summer to halt drownings at its projects. Eight water-related fatalities occurred at St. Louis District projects in 2007. District employees were challenged in 2008 to incorporate water safety messages into all aspects of education and outreach to try and curb water-related fatalities. To date there has only been one fatality at a District project, and the Army Corps wants to finish the summer safely without any additional ones.

“Labor Day weekend is typically viewed as the end of the summer recreation season,”
explained Peg O’Bryan, chief of the District’s Operations Division. “Corps statistics show that most drownings occur during peak visitation, on weekends during the months of April through September. Our goal is that everyone has a safe, enjoyable visit at our projects and return home safely.

“Throughout the year our staff does everything possible to emphasize the importance of
water safety,” O’Bryan said, “and I’d like to especially thank the businesses, marinas and partners that help us deliver water safety messages. It is vital though that our visitors do their part and practice personal boating and water safety and remain vigilant both in and around the water.”  

Click here to read the News Release in it's entirety

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The above was reprinted from the US Army Corps of Engineers e-mailing.

Information presented on CorpsWeb public web sites is considered public information and may be distributed or copied.

Click here to go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website.

 Please check our website www.sundownersstl.com

Sundowners....

Come spend Labor Day weekend with Sundowners featuring Gary Sluhan (calling all parrotheads) on Friday, St Louis Dogs on Saturday (the best of funk, dance and rock-you won't want to miss this)), and everyone's favorite the Sharks on Sunday. Monday we will conclude the weekend with a BBQ buffet from 2-6pm featuring an assortment of salads, porksteaks, ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs plus all the fixings! $12.95 adults & $5.95 children Hope to see you there.

Happy Boating!

Jon & Kelley Klipp

Sundowners Restaurant At Yacht Club of St. Louis

It's Our Island Paradise ... Lets Keep It Clean !

More Missouri Laws You Might Not Know About ......  

RiverBill's received the following e-mail from Patrolman Lou Amighetti' of the Missouri State Water Patrol

Bill,
Here is some other new laws you might not know about.


The Department of Revenue is currently taking steps to ensure compliance with legislative changes, which become effective August 28, 2008.

ØHouse Bill 1715 (effective August 28, 2008) requires:
 

·    A properly assigned certificate of ownership or MSO be submitted to transfer ownership of a boat or outboard motor; and

·    A registration fee of $55 for homemade boats:
     o That are at least 16 feet in length, but less than 28 feet in length,
     o Constructed of wood, and
     o Have a beam of five-feet or less.

ØSenate Bills 930 & 947 (effective August 28, 2008):

·   Applicants age 70 and over renewing a CDL or Class E license with an “S” endorsement will have the license and skills test fees waived (the $2.50 office processing fee will still apply).

ØSenate Bill 1139 (effective August 28, 2008):

·  Implements the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, which changes the driver license organ donation process. A green heart symbol will be placed on the face of the permit, driver license, or nondriver license signifying donor consent.

For more legislative changes relating to the regulation of motor vehicles, please review the attached copy of Titling Tips, which will be published in August and mailed to the motor vehicle dealers prior to their renewal period. For more information about current legislation visit the State of Missouri website at http://www.moga.mo.gov

 

Patrolman Lou Amighetti
Public Information Officer
Missouri State Water Patrol

 

Missouri’s Low Gas Prices May Not Last....

Right now Missouri has the lowest gas prices in the nation. The average price for a gallon of gas (at filling Stations) in Missouri is $3.42. St. Louis has an average of $3.31 and Kansas City’s price is $3.55. AAA says that the reason for this low fuel cost is because of wholesale gasoline prices. This may not last though. With Hurricane Gustav threatening the Gulf Coast, this could possibly damage some of the oil refineries. Also, the wholesale gas prices have just went up 25 cents per gallon.

To read this full story on KHQA online, click here

 SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

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

Wednesday

Aug 27 ... 2008

Over 1.7 Million Visitors Strong !

 Picture of the Day

Dredging the Channel

click on pic to enlarge

River Pictures of the Day.......... were sent in by Capt'n Tony Trice, who hails out of Woodland Marina.

Bill,

I am sending a picture of the Dredge Potter operating at mile marker 222....the island in the background is Island 521 downstream of the cut thru from the Old Sharky's.

Both were taken Sunday, 24 th Aug.

Tony
 

Yester Year's River Picture of the Day in 2006 ...... was a 360 degree picture of the Jamaica Daze Party last weekend taken by Cameron Imming of AltonPoolBlogSpot.com. It's great !

Here is part of the e-mail Cameron wrote:

 Bill,
        Here's my compiled 360 degree view from where I parked the other day.

Wonderful party and I can't even say thanks enough for the hard work I'm sure you and all the others put in.

Cameron T Imming

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Navigation Notice ......

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/27/08
Subject: DREDGING UMR
NAVNOTICE # 1305

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0394-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
CANCEL WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0393-08 UM
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0394-08 UM
COAST GUARD SECTOR UMR ISSUES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ADVISORY:
THE DREDGE POTTER HAS BEGUN DREDGING AT MM 235.5 UMR. DREDGING WILL BE  24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. A 30 MINUTE ADVANCED NOTICE IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO PASSING BY CONTACTING THE DREDGE POTTER ON VHF FM CHANNELS 13 OR 16. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANIST THIS AREA WITH EXTREME CAUTION.
BT

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

Missouri State Water Patrol News Release.....

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jefferson City

New Laws In Effect On the Water for the Labor Day Weekend

The traditional end of summer is upon us and while many people will be boating well into the fall, for some Labor Day weekend is the last hurrah of the summer boating season. The Missouri State Water Patrol asks that boaters stay vigilant in their safe boating practices. Remember the rivers and lakes will be more crowded than other weekends due to the three day weekend. Slow down and be courteous to other boaters around you. Allow for extra time while loading and launching boats.

In addition to the added traffic there will be a number of new laws that will take affect on Thursday, August 28 which boaters will need to be aware of.

· Missouri's legal blood alcohol content for operating a vessel will drop from .10% to .08%.

· Boats must come to an idle speed within 100 feet of an emergency vessel that is displaying flashing lights.

· The nighttime speed limit of 30 m.p.h. has been expanded to include all state waterways.

A law making it illegal to obstruct the flow of traffic on the water was expanded to apply to all state waterways.



News Release ID: N07080178
Release Date: 20080826

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

What's Going on at the River Restaurants 

click here

or

click on your favorite restaurant link below:

Boshertown Bar & Grill

Cedar Hill Resort

Grafton's Landing

Kinder's Restaurant

KJ's Place

Longshot Saloon at My River Home

North Shore Oasis

Palisades Yacht Club

Rotten Apple Ciderhouse

Sundowners at Yacht Club of St Louis

News Release

      Release No. 56-08   For Release: IMMEDIATE - August 26, 2008

1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO, 63103-2833 www.mvs.usace.army.mil

Southeast Missouri Lake Project of the Year for Army Corps

Wappapello Lake in southeastern Missouri near Poplar Bluff was recently recognized as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Natural Resources Project of Year. Lake personnel accepted the award from Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, Chief of Engineers, at a ceremony in Pittsburgh August 4.

For over 40 years the Army Corps of Engineers has recognized excellence with its Project of the Year Award. The Corps operates and maintains over 400 multi-use lake projects around the country and all are eligible to submit a nomination package. Wappapello Lake was first selected as the representative project for the Mississippi Valley Division before being forwarded to the Headquarters panel for consideration.

The award recognizes a project for its accomplishments in management efficiency, public involvement, public safety, management effectiveness, and partnerships as related to all elements of the Natural Resources Management Program. The evaluation focuses on management efforts that contribute to greater efficiency and effectiveness in use of personnel and funds, while sustaining or improving good customer service and stewardship of project resources.

Gary Stilts, Wappapello Lake’s operations manager, was ecstatic at the news.

“The staff at Wappapello Lake are some of the most creative and innovative individuals I’ve worked with in my 26 year career with the Corps,” Stilts said. “We had a really good year in 2007, and it was great to receive this recognition for our work.

“All of our management decisions revolve around what is good for our visitors, the American taxpayer and the natural resources we are committed to being good stewards of,” Stilts added. “The team has a lot to be proud of and I certainly couldn’t be prouder. This isn’t just our award but it also belongs to all our contractors, volunteers, partners and the public that visits the lake. ”

....Click here to read more.

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

The above was reprinted from e-mail from the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Information presented on Corps Web public web sites is considered public information and may be distributed or copied.

Click here to go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website.

 Please check our website www.sundownersstl.com

Clarksville Photos And Comments......

To view a few photos of this year's flooding in Clarksville, Mo and read some on-line comments from the residents of this river town, click here on topix.net,

It's Our Island Paradise ... Lets Keep It Clean !

Heartland Boating .....

RiverBill's received some e-mails asking where to get a copy of the latest Heartland Boating magazine....... Below is a link from their website for a list of retailers that handle it:

http://www.heartlandboating.com/retailmarinas.htm

RiverBill's 2008 Flood Pictures

  Click here and check them out.....

Click on the "i" icon in the picture to turn on text info.

Ethanol and Your Boat Engine .....

The LakeExpo has a good article in yesterday's edition about how ethanol can damage your boat's engine(s).

The Missouri Renewable Fuel Act, that went into effect in early 2008,  requires all gasoline sold in the state of Missouri to contain 10% ethanol. This won't affect your land-yachts very much, but it cause problems in your boat.  
 

The law excludes fuel for aviation and marina purposes.  That's good news !

Beware of filling your boat up at the local gas station though....you are going to be pumping ethanol enhanced fuel from their pumps.

Click here to read the news article in LakeExpo.com

 

Pontoon Boat Insurance Claims .....

The LakeExpo has a good article in yesterday's edition about the top 10 reasons pontoon boat owners submit insurance claims.

Galvanic corrosion, wiring, pontoon log pitting, plowing into waves, passenger injuries, windage,  undersize dock lines, swimmers, theft and animal vandals.

Click here to read the news article in LakeExpo.com

 

 SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

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

Tuesday

Aug 26 ... 2008

Over 1.7 Million Visitors Strong !

 Picture of the Day

"HMR C. Bernadette Able"

Meets

"Lady Tampa Bay"

click on pic to enlarge

River Picture of the Day.......... was sent to us by Captain Greg Sadowski and crew. 

Bill.

"HMR C. Bernadette Able" , Riverbill's picture of the day Aug. 17, meets
"Lady Tampa Bay", Riverbill's picture of the day Aug. 23, to share
Stories, Dinner, and River History...
photo by Teresa from the Camanche, IA, Library Pier
pictured left to right, Ian, Hanna, Ernie, Phil, & Greg
not pictured, Lindsey & Buddy
Web-Cam view from Lock 15, the same day.. by Tom Stolze

Captain Greg Sadowski

RiverBill's received another e-mail a bit later:

Correction ... Buddy is in the picture. Can you find him?
Greg

 

Click here to visit Classic Marine's website                               Click here to e-mail Michelle

Yester Year's River Picture of the Day in 2007 ...... s from Pat Riley, of Pat Riley Marine Services fame and also a St. Charles County Sheriff.  Pat sent us a picture of a a boat that was in the ditch on Dwyer Rd in St. Charles County.

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Navigation Notice ......

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/25/08
Subject: RIVER CLOSURE
NAVNOTICE # 1303

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
THE COAST GUARD HAS ESTABLISHED A TEMPORARY RIVER CLOSURE AT MM 420 UMR DUE TO DREDGING OPERATIONS. THE CHANNEL WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT COAST GUARD SECTOR UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT 314-269-2332 OR ON VHF FM CHANNEL 16 UPON ARRIVAL TO THE CLOSURE AREA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE M/V DAVENPORT OR THE M/V MUSCATINE ON CHANNELS 13, 16, OR 82.
 

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

Missouri State Water Patrol News Release.....

News Release N07080177

 Grounding / Meramec River - 08/23/08

Location:

     1 MI ABOVE ONONDAGA STATE PARK RAMP  
Summary : 

Subjects were boating on the Meramec when a canoe pulled out in front of them. They cut the boat hard to avoid hitting the canoe and ran aground. Both subjects had minor injuries but refused treatment.

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

 Please check our website www.sundownersstl.com

BoatUS is Offering $4000 Boating Safety Grants.....

According to an on-line news article in SailMagazine.com, BoatUS is offering $4000 grants for proposals to educate boaters on the dangers of alcohol and boating through their Boating Safety Grant Program .

According to US Coast Guard statics, alcohol was the primary contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2007. Alcohol was listed as the leading factor in 21% of the deaths.

Click here to read the news article

It's Our Island Paradise ... Lets Keep It Clean !

The September Issue of Heartland Boating is Out.....

The new issue of Heatland Boating is out and has a lot of articles you might be interested in reading:

• Danger Around The Bend For The Delta Queen

• St. Louis Sailing Center Sails On With Hobie

• Kinder's Restaurant and Bar

• Lake of the Ozarks Grows Up

• Evansville Marina

  Make sure to read the article on Kinder's Restaurant.  It was written by our own Sherri Stanczak !  According to here article the restaurant was built in 1929 and originally named the "Green Onoin".  Oliver Kinder bought it in 1939 and re-named it "Kinders".  It's been in the family ever since. 

  Today, Kinder's Restautant and Cocktail Lounge is owned by Henry & Ida Kinder, Jenice Kiel and Carol Rose.

 Check out their website.....    http://www.kindersrestaurant.net

RiverBill says...Good article Sherri ... and thanks for including RiverBills.com  in your writings.

RiverBill's 2008 Flood Pictures

  Click here and check them out.....

Click on the "i" icon in the picture to turn on text info.

Ohio River Sternwheel Festival......

   Friday - Sunday, September 5 - 7, 2008

Marietta, Ohio is the location of the 32th celebration of the Sternwheel festival. The weekend after Labor Day, sternwheelers arrive in Marietta, home of the American Sternwheel Association and home to two sternwheelers on the National Register of Historic Places.
 

For more information contact:
Ohio River Sternwheel Festival
P.O.Box 2109
Marietta, OH 45750
 

Click here to go to the Marietta, Ohio website

7th Annual Wheeling Heritage Port Sternwheel Festival...
   September 11, 12, 13, 2008

    Heritage Port Wheeling, WV

Boat rides, live music, entertainment, fireworks and more.

Click here for more information

 SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

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

Monday

Aug 25 ... 2008

Over 1.7 Million Visitors Strong !

 Picture of the Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSIE !

click on pic to enlarge

River Picture of the Day.......... was sent in by Capt'n Mike Halley, who hails out of the Yacht Club of St. Louis in the Cruiser ... "Over Exposed."

Hi Bill.

We had another great weekend in Mason's Chute celebrating Rosie's 50th birthday. Here's a picture of our raft from Saturday. A lot of boats, a lot of friends, and a lot of love shown for Rosie. Happy Birthday Rosie!

Mike & Karen
Over Exposed
Yacht Club St. Louis
 

Click here to visit Classic Marine's website                               Click here to e-mail Michelle

Yester Year's River Picture of the Day in 2005 ...... was sent in by Stan and Sharon Ashberry.  It is a 2005  Jamaican Daze Sunset over the Isle of Two Branch.  The day time activities were over and the night time party was just getting under way. 

What a shot ....  Look at those colors !

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Navigation Notice ......

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/24/08
Subject: Dredging on the Upper Mississippi River AT MM 313 UMR
NAVNOTICE # 1301

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0386-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0386-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER DREDGING OPERATIONS HAVE COMMENCED BETWEEN MM 313 UMR MID CHANNEL UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. DREDGING WILL BE DAYLIGHT HOURS ONLY. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE DREDGE GOETZ ON VHF-FM CHNLS 13, 16, OR WORKING CHANNEL 82 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND PASSING INSTRUCTIONS.
MARINERS ARE ALSO REQUESTED TO TRANSIT ALONG THE NUN BUOY LINE AND TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION.

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

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/24/08
Subject: DREDGING OPERATIONS
NAVNOTICE # 1299

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0384-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0384-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER COAST GUARD SECTOR UPPER ISSUES THE FOLLOWING THE SAFETY ADVISORY:
THE DREDGE POTTER HAS BEGUN DREDGING BETWEEN MM 221.0 AND 222.0 UMR. DREDGING WILL BE 24 HOURS PER DAY 7 DAYS PER WEEK UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 30 MINUTES ADVANCE NOTICE IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO PASSING BY CONTACTING THE DREDGE POTTER ON VHF-FM CH 13 OR 16. SOUTHBOUND TOWS BETWEEN MM 221.0 - 222.0 UMR ARE RESTRICTED TO DAYLIGHT HOURS ONLY. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THIS AREA WITH EXTREME CAUTION.
 

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

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

 Please check our website www.sundownersstl.com

Dredging The Mississippi River Still Continues.....

The U.S. Corps of Engineers finished the dredging up in Winfield. They had started dredging near Hamburg, Illinois after a barge ran aground a couple of weeks ago. Since the flooding, sediment has settled in the river, which has caused areas in the river to be higher than normal. This can be very dangerous to recreational boaters as well as commercial traffic. The Coast Guard has lifted all of the restrictions on the river. The dredging will continue down river where the Illinois River meets the Mississippi river.

 To read this full story, on KWQC TV 6, click here

It's Our Island Paradise ... Lets Keep It Clean !

    dated 22 August is available on-line for the  Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

Cahokia Mounds Could Become A National State Park.........

Greater Cahokia used to straddle the Mississippi River and had settlements in what is now St. Louis and St. Charles Counties. At its peak, it covered six square miles. Officials have done a wonderful job preserving this park and keeping it up, however; some feel that they should turn it over to the National Park Service.

Right now this park brings in about 300,000 people from 50 states and 85 to 90 different countries. The staff has been cut in half in the past several years, with more cuts to come.

Many feel that the national park service has the revenue, expertise and equipment that far surpass the state of Illinois' resources.
 

To read about this controversial decision, click here on STLtoday.com

River Destinations.....

     Alton, IL Labor Day Parade

Alton held it's Labor Day Parade this past Saturday so they wouldn't interfere with the Granite City parade, which will be held on Labor Day weekend. This parade is put on to salute the local unions. The main sponsor of the event is the Alton-Wood River Chapter of the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor.

To read the full story about the parade, click here on the Alton Daily News

 Reservoirs In Iowa Are Falling Back To Normal.....

Three of the reservoirs in Iowa that have fallen back to normal. Saylorville, Red Rock and Coralville have not been at normal levels since the flooding started back in April. These floods have caused billions of dollars worth of damage and have 38,000 people from their homes. All three of these reservoirs were damaged during the flood; however, they expect all recreational areas to be open back up for Labor Day weekend.

To read this article on KHQA online, click here

The Weekend Report

Saturday & Sunday

Aug 23, 24 ... 2008

Over 1.7 Million Visitors Strong !

Updated Sun at 8:20AM....Nav Notice dredging at MM221 - 222 ......Two Branch Harbor Warning

  Updated Sat at  9:15PM ....Injury at Lake Ozarks, More news...New Illinois Laws...Gas war at Lake Ozark

Updated Sun at 7:25AM

Two Branch Harbor Entrance Warning !

Name:      Jerry (jred159@hotmail.com)
Date:        Sat 23 Aug 2008 10:21:54 PM EDT
Subject: We just went hard aground entering Two Branch Harbor 8-23-08

Entering Two Branch Harbor the water is very very shallow. We wound up getting out of the boat and walking it in and nowhere between the fuel dock and the other side of the entrance into the harbor is the water more than 18 inches deep. NOWHERE!!! If you draw a line from the fuel dock past the dredge over to the flagpole next to the pavilion by the houses on the shoreline.....no where along that line is the water deeper than 18 INCHES. If you have a big boat with inboard drives in Two Branch DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PASS THROUGH THE ENTRANCE TO GO OUT TO THE RIVER CHANNEL. YOU WILL RUN HARD AGROUND!!! And tear up your props and shafts. THE WINFIELD TAILWATER READING IS 15.25 RIGHT NOW. TWO BRANCH!!!! DREDGE THIS LITTLE CHANNEL! THE FREAKIN DREDGE IS SITTING RIGHT THERE BILL...... PLEASE POST THIS SOMEWHERE REAL PROMINANT, REAL QUICKLY. THIS COULD BE REALLY EXPENSIVE FOR SOMEONE IN A BIG BOAT.

The above from RiverBill's Message Board
 

Welcome New Advertiser !

 Picture of the Day

Sunday

click on pic to enlarge

River Picture of the Day.......Sunday... was sent in by Capt'n Brian Schnelle.
 

Hello,

Had a few pics I wanted to submit, all were taken while flying my powered parachute, enjoy!

Brian Schnelle

 Picture of the Day

Saturday

Delta Queen

click on pic to enlarge

River Picture of the Day.......Saturday... was sent in by Capt'n Greg Sadowski, on another delivery trip.

Bill,

Shot these pics of the Delta Queen last night (Aug 14) at about sunset, Just came out of lock 53 as we were going in. They were going to stay the night at Paducah.
Our boat is the "Lady Tampa Bay", picture taken Wednesday on Kentucky Lake.

Greg Sadowski, Phil Shults, Ernie Stolze.

Come Join the folks at  Classic Marine on their first annual

Slow Ride to Fast Eddie's

Sunday, August 31st

Good food, good friends, good times, and we'll even throw in some attendance prizes

Call or e-mail Michelle for more details

Michelle@ClassicMarineLLC.com

636- 887- 4006

Click here to visit Classic Marine's website                               Click here to e-mail Michelle

Yester Year's River Picture of the Day in 2007 ...Sunday... was sent in by Capt'n Harry Ragland, who hails out of Palisades Yacht Club in the sailboat Tapacolo.

Bill,
This past weekend I spent Friday night at Grafton and then sailed to Alton on Saturday. Normally the prevailing winds would make this easy, but last Saturday the winds were strong out of the East. I had to work hard tacking the whole way. However, this O'Day 34 between Alton and Harbor Point makes it look easy because she's going the other way under a giant spinnaker.

Harry Ragland

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Yester Year's River Picture of the Day in 2006 ...Saturday... was sent in by Shannon Orf

Hi Bill,

Here is a picture of our river pups.   They are both Weimaraners.  Libby is the lighter colored one, and Cash is the darker one.  This picture was taken in July up on Turkey Island.

Shannon Orf

  ~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~~

Featured Classified of the Day

For Sale ..... Boat Ramp and Acreage  

Located close to super highway ! 
On Dardenne Slough at Huster Road, 3 miles North of Highway 370 and Elm Street
 Click here for map from MapQuest

Call Earl ...636.949.6986   EDAVIS1936@AOL.com        Click here for flyer and more info

New Classifieds

2002  28' Daytona Eliminator

RiverBill's Featured Classifieds

Click Here

RiverBill's Classifieds Page

Click here

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

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 a "Pool Level"  graph of the river level at Alton

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

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

• Click here for U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, ST. LOUIS DISTRICT, RIVER & RESERVOIR DAILY REPORT .

• Click here to activate map from NOAA's National Weather Service website then click on gauge location for current river level

   Lewis Boats

    Marine Sales & Service

4030 N Service Rd, St. Peters, MO     (636) 949-9926  

CERTIFIED TECHS TO COMPLETE MARINE REPAIR  FROM THE BOW EYE TO THE PROP NUT

     LEWIS BOATS CAN DO IT ALL !

Click here for map from Map Qcuest                    Click Here for website

Front Page Index

Classifieds....... 

Click here  to check out RiverBIll's Featured Boats

Flood Pictures...... 

 Click here to check out RiverBills 2008 Flood Pictures

Restaurant Section...... 

 Click here to check Business Hours....Dinner Specials...Drink Specials & Who's Playing Where ! 

What's Going On At The River This Week Section...... 

 Click here to check out this week's upcoming events

CLOSED  ...........

River News !  

Back To Index

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

 Updated Sat at 9:15

Missouri State Water Patrol News Release.....

 Falls Within Boat  - 08/23/08

Click here to check out the Missouri State Water Patrol website

Navigation Notice ......

Updated Sun at 8:20 AM

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/24/08
Subject: DREDGING OPERATIONS
NAVNOTICE # 1299

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0384-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0384-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER COAST GUARD SECTOR UPPER ISSUES THE FOLLOWING THE SAFETY ADVISORY:
THE DREDGE POTTER HAS BEGUN DREDGING BETWEEN MM 221.0 AND 222.0 UMR. DREDGING WILL BE 24 HOURS PER DAY 7 DAYS PER WEEK UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 30 MINUTES ADVANCE NOTICE IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO PASSING BY CONTACTING THE DREDGE POTTER ON VHF-FM CH 13 OR 16. SOUTHBOUND TOWS BETWEEN MM 221.0 - 222.0 UMR ARE RESTRICTED TO DAYLIGHT HOURS ONLY. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THIS AREA WITH EXTREME CAUTION.
 

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

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/22/08
Subject: Shoaling (BNM NR 0382-08 UM)
NAVNOTICE # 1297

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
THE COAST GUARD RCVD A RPT OF SHOALING AT MM 234.7 UMR IN THE CENTER OF THE CHNL. A M/V BUMPED BOTTOM AT THIS LOCATION WITH A 9'2" DRAFT WITH L/D 25 LOWER POOL GAGE READING 422.76 FT ON 22AUG08. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH EXTREME CAUTION

 

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To:     ALL MARINERS
From:   Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/22/08
Subject: LT EX
NAVNOTICE # 1296

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVER BNM NR 0381-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0381-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER

DES MOINES RIVER LIGHTED BOUY (LLNR 15530) MM 361.5 LBD UMR IS EXTINGUISHED. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION.
 

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

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/22/08
Subject: Shoaling (BNM NR 0379-08 UM)
NAVNOTICE # 1294

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
THE COAST GUARD RCVD A RPT OF SHOALING AT MM 195.7 UMR MID CHNL. A
M/V RAN AGROUND AT THIS LOCATION WITH A 9'2" DRAFT WITH MEL PRICE L/D LOWER POOL GAGE READING 401.1 FT ON 22AUG08. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH EXTREME CAUTION.

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

To:     ALL MARINERS
From:   Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/22/08
Subject: Shoaling (BNM NR 0378-08 UM)
NAVNOTICE # 1293

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
THE CG RCVD A RPT OF SHOALING AT MM 337.0 UMR APPROX 50-75 FT OFF OF THE NUN BUOY LINE. THE SHOALING EXTENDS APPROX 100 FT. A M/V BUMPED BOTTOM AT THIS LOCATION WITH A 8'9" DRAFT WITH L/D 20 LOWER POOL GAGE READING 4.47 ON THE 21AUG08. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION.
 

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

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

Click on Ad above 

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.

What's Going on at the River Restaurants 

click here

or

click on your favorite restaurant link below:

Boshertown Bar & Grill

Cedar Hill Resort

Grafton's Landing

Kinder's Restaurant

KJ's Place

Longshot Saloon at My River Home

North Shore Oasis

Palisades Yacht Club

Rotten Apple Ciderhouse

Sundowners at Yacht Club of St Louis

 9:00 PM -1:00 AM

Open Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun @ 11:30AM

Kitchen is open with a limited menu

636 - 899 - 1093

Gary Sluhan Saturday 30th at 8:00 PM

Click here to listen to some of Gary's songs
 

Best View of the Bluffs on the River !

Click here for map from MapQuest

Live Music every Friday & Saturday with some of the areas top bands and entertainers!

Thursday... 8/21 Karaoke 8pm,
Friday........ 8/22 Pennsylvania Slim
Saturday... 8/23 Stacey Collins Band
 

 Please check our website www.sundownersstl.com

  Updated Sat at  8:00AM 

Gas War AT Lake of the Ozarks........

According to today's edition of the LakeExpo.comthere is a gas war going on at Lake of the Ozarks.  Yeah a gas war... between the Horny Toad and Franky & Louie's.

The Toad is 2 cents cheaper than Frankie & Louie’s at this writing.... $3.879 in Toad Cove and $3.899 at Franky and Louie's Marina.

Click here to read the news story.
 

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

Mississippi River (above St. Louis):

76 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on stinkbaits; flathead catfish fair on live baits; blue catfish fair on cut baits; largemouth bass good behind the islands on jigs; drum good on nightcrawlers; all other species slow.

(Report made on 8/21/2008)
 

Missouri River (below New Haven)

Falling, muddy; all species fair on natural
baits. (Report made on 8/21/2008)
 

(Report made on 8/21/2008)
 

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The above reprinted from the weekly [Mo-fish] Weekly Fishing Report e-mail.

Check out the report for the entire state of Missouri

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

It's Our Island Paradise ... Lets Keep It Clean !

RiverBill's 2008 Flood Pictures

  Click here and check them out.....

Click on the "i" icon in the picture to turn on text info.

  Updated Sat at  8:10AM 

Emergency Animal Rescuers Protected by New Illinois Law........

According to a news story in the AltonDailyNews.com, the State of Illinois has passed a new law that provides immunity from civil liability for animal rescuers during times of emergency.

18 other states already have adopted the Good Samaritan provisions in their laws.

Click here to read the news story

Friday

Aug 22, 2008

Over 1.7 Million Visitors Strong !

Welcome New Advertiser !

 Picture of the Day

Our Lady of the River

click on pic to enlarge

River Picture of the Day.......... was sent in by Capt'n Tony Luebbert of Marine Max

Bill,

Here is a pic of the Shrine I took last night.

It's more impressive in person at night then the pictures could capture.

Tony Luebbert
MarineMax
2725 Veteran's Memorial Parkway
Saint Charles, MO 63303

Click here to visit Classic Marine's website                               Click here to e-mail Michelle

Yester Year's River Picture of the Day in 2006 ...... were sent in Robert Cope of the boat "Slow Ride". 

Had a great time at the party.  Once again, you all did a great job. 

I would have taken more, but I got the camera wet, and it wouldn't cooperate for the rest of the day. 

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Navigation Notice ......

To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/21/08
Subject: SHOALING UMR
NAVNOTICE # 1292

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0377-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHEDULED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0377-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
THE CG HAS RCVD A RPT OF SHOALING IN THE CENTER OF THE CHANNEL AT MM 331.7 UMR AND AT MM 332.8 UMR ON 21AUG08 WITH L/D 21 UPPER POOL GUAGE READING 12.14 FT. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THESE AREAS WITH CAUTION.
BT
 

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To: ALL MARINERS
From: Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/21/08
Subject: dredging ILR
NAVNOTICE # 1291

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0376-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0376-08 UM
ILLINOIS RIVER DREDGING OPERATIONS WILL COMMENCE AT MM 87.7 ILR ON 25AUG08 AT 1200 CDT AND CONTINUE 24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK UNTIL 15SEP08.A CROSSING LINE WILL BE IN USE. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE DREDGE BUXTON II 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO ARRIVAL ON CH 13,16 OR WORKING CH 82 FOR PASSING INSTUCTIONS. MARINERS ARE ALSO URGED TO TRANSIT AT THEIR SLOWEST SAFE SPEED TO MINIMIZE WAKE AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
 

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

News Release

      Release No. 55-08   Point of Contact:  Alan Dooley 314-331-8002

For Release:  IMMEDIATE - August 21,2008     

1222 Spruce Street, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103-2833 / www.mvs.usace.army.mil
 

Locks 27 main 1200-foot chamber to close for maintenance

          Granite City, Ill. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that they will close the main 1200-foot chamber of Locks 27, near Granite City for maintenance,Friday, Aug.22. The closure is slated to last approximately one week.

          Repairs are to be performed on the diagonal, or cross braces on the miter gates at the lower end of the main lock chamber. The miter gates are the huge gates that open and shut like giant doors at the south end of the concrete lock chamber.

          Repairs are made necessary by deterioration of the tensioning rods that adjust the diagonal supports. Divers from the Rock Island District recently determined that four of 16 such threaded rods have broken and Corps structural engineers have determined that repairs should be made as soon as possible.

          Timing of the repairs was carefully coordinated with navigation industry interests and has been based on three factors and:

• Time to obtaining the proper replacement parts
• Elevation of the water, both in the river and the ground on the land side of the chamber
• Sufficient time to eliminate the queue of waiting tows that built up after the river channel silted in, necessitating emergency dredging north of Winfield, Mo.

          The water level issue came into play in 2005 when similar work was accomplished on the tops of the miter gate leafs. If water levels are too high in the river and the adjacent ground, there is danger that the pressure will distort the concrete lock walls.

          Structural engineers indicate that the diagonal braces keep each of the 70 by 61- foot, 206- ton gate leaf’s square and in plumb. If the braces fail completely there is danger that the gates will stop functioning. This would require a lengthy closure to replace or repair the gates just as the fall harvest of grain commodities was being readied to go to markets overseas.

          While the main chamber, which can allow a 15-barge tow to be locked through in a single trip is closed, the auxiliary 600-foot chamber will remain in operation. Locking 15-barge tows through that short chamber requires that they but “cut” into two sections and locked one section at a time. A helper boat will be on scene throughout repairs to speed that process.

          All commercial navigation traffic for the Mississippi River and Missouri and Illinois Rivers must pass through Locks 27 at the foot of the Chain of Rocks canal coming from or proceeding into the St. Louis Harbor. More than 67 million tons of cargo carried in 8,681 barge tows passed through Locks 27 in 2007.

-END

Information presented on CorpsWeb public web sites is considered public information and may be distributed or copied.

Click here to go to the US Army Corps of Engineers website.

News Release

   Release No. 54-08         Point of Contact:Public Affairs (314)3318002/8068/8095

For Release:  IMMEDIATE - August 20,2008     

Navigation Channel Re-established on Upper Miss’ River north of Winfield, MO
Restrictions Lifted

         St. Louis – Yesterday the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dustpan dredge, Motor
Vessel Potter, completed emergency dredging operations on the Upper Mississippi River at river mile 257, near Hamburg, Ill., about 15 miles north of Winfield, Mo.
 

          Dredge Potter mobilized 10 days ahead of schedule on August 15 after two groundings on the Upper Mississippi River halted navigation. The dredge arrived at river mile 257 Saturday morning and started dredging operations. The Army Corps of Engineers is charged with maintaining a 9 foot deep, 300 foot wide navigation channel on the Upper Mississippi River. In three days the dredge successfully re-established a safe, dependable navigation channel at proper, authorized dimensions at this location.
 

          Traffic was slowly moving through the area during dredging operations but will now be able to transit the area unhindered. All U.S. Coast Guard restrictions have been lifted.

          Potter is now heading south to river mile 223, just north of the Mississippi River’s
confluence with the Illinois River. A 15-barge tow carrying grain grounded at this location
on Thursday. After the tow was removed, surveys completed and a safe channel was
marked by buoys, the Coast Guard determined a closure was not necessary at this location. Mariners are being instructed to transit between river miles 222.5 - 224.5 during daylight hours and monitor Coast Guard information broadcasts for updates.
 

        Once on site, Dredge Potter will begin work at this location to widen and deepen the channel, which was silted in by heavy sediment loads in the river.

          River engineers explain that during recent flooding and high water events, large
amounts of sediment were scoured from the bottom or carried in the river. Then the river’s level fell quickly. For example, at St. Louis the river fell 22 feet in 10 days decreasing the energy of the river. As the river fell and its energy decreased, sediment dropped out of suspension and to the bottom of the river.

          River surveys are ongoing in the 300 mile stretch of the Mississippi River managed by the St. Louis District to identify areas in need of dredging. Locations requiring dredging will be prioritized, addressing the most critical areas first. The dredging season typically runs into December or early January.

The St. Louis District also uses a contract cutter head dredge, Dredge America, which is expected to get under way on the Middle Mississippi River this Saturday.

- END -

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

Mississippi River (above St. Louis):

76 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on stinkbaits; flathead catfish fair on live baits; blue catfish fair on cut baits; largemouth bass good behind the islands on jigs; drum good on nightcrawlers; all other species slow.

(Report made on 8/21/2008)
 

Missouri River (below New Haven)

Falling, muddy; all species fair on natural
baits. (Report made on 8/21/2008)
 

(Report made on 8/21/2008)
 

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The above reprinted from the weekly [Mo-fish] Weekly Fishing Report e-mail.

Check out the report for the entire state of Missouri

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

Thursday

Aug 21, 2008

Over 1.7 Million Visitors Strong !

Welcome New Advertiser !

 Picture of the Day

Farmer Wants A Wife At Anchor Yanker's

  click on pic to enlarge

River Picture of the Day.......... was sent to us by Terry Burton of Anchor Yankers

Portage de Sioux’s own Matt Neustadt of TV’s Farmer Wants a Wife fame on Anchor Yankers Island Aug 17th. with OUR AY beauties!!!


Terry Borton Club Photog

Anchor Yankers
 

Yester Year's River Picture of the Day......  was of some of the 2006 Jamaica Daze Party goers ....All dressed up in Island gear.

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Navigation Notice ......

To:     ALL MARINERS
From:   Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/20/08
Subject: dredging
NAVNOTICE # 1289

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0374-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL CANCELLED
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0374-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
MECHANICAL DREDGING OPERATIONS HAVE COMMENCED AT MM 300.9 UMR AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 26AUG08 DURING THE HRS OF 0700-1800 CDT. MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE M/V MOLINE OR THE M/V CLINTON ON CHANNELS 13, 16, OR WORKING CHANNEL 82 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO TRANISITING THE AREA.
BT
 

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To:     ALL MARINERS
From:   Coast Guard Upper Miss
Date: 8/20/08
Subject: L/D 27 MAIN CHAMBER CLOSURE
NAVNOTICE # 1288

SUBJ: WESTERN RIVERS BNM NR 0373-08 UM
SAFETY AND SCHED BCSTS UNTIL 290000Z AUG 08
USCG NOTICE TO MARINERS EIGHTH DISTRICT NR 0373-08 UM
UPPER MISSISSIPPI
L/D 27 WILL CLOSE THE MAIN CHAMBER AT 0700 ON 22AUG08. THE PURPOSE FOR THIS CLOSURE IS TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE DIAGNOALS ON THE D/S MITAR GATE TO DEWATER THE MAIN CHAMBER. THE AUXILIARY CHAMBER WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THIS PERIOD AND A HELPER BOAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST MARINERS. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THIS AREA WITH CAUTION AND CONTACT THE LOCKMASTER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

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Click here to read Navigation Notice #1064    

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

United States Coast Guard Press Release ...........  

  DATE: August 20, 2008 09:56:56 CST  

What's Going on at the River Restaurants 

click here

or

click on your favorite restaurant link below:

Boshertown Bar & Grill

Cedar Hill Resort

Grafton's Landing

Kinder's Restaurant

KJ's Place

Longshot Saloon at My River Home

North Shore Oasis

Palisades Yacht Club

Rotten Apple Ciderhouse

Sundowners at Yacht Club of St Louis

 9:00 PM -1:00 AM

It's Our Island Paradise ... Lets Keep It Clean !

 SAVE THE DELTA QUEEN

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

Wednessday

Aug 20, 2008

Over 1.7 Million Visitors Strong !

Welcome New Advertiser !

 Pictures of the Day

click on pic to enlarge

River Pictures of the Day.......... were sent in by Debbie House of Riverbend Marina.

Bill,

The USS LST 325 (Second World War) came by our place tonight. Here are some pics.

Debbie House
RiverBend Marina