~~~~~~ RiverBill's Archives~~~~~~
May 2019

05-11-19  -   05-20-19

 

A WEBSITE FOR THE  BOATING COMMUNITY 

OF THE 

MISSISSIPPI, ILLINOIS, MISSOURI, MERAMEC AND KASKASKIA RIVERS

MONDAY

20 May 2019

 

NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK MAY 18-24

 

 

Over 9.4 Million Boater Visits

Since Sept 12, 2004

To The Always Changing e-Waters of RiverBills.com

 

 

Be River Smart and  Flood Tuff

WATCH YOUR WAKE !

Driving in Flooded Areas on Land

and

on the Water

 

www.RiverBills.com

 

Snake in the House

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Picture of the Day.... was sent to us by Capt'n Mark Newlin who hails out of Portage des Sioux, Mo. Mark is riding the flood out in his house that is surrounded by flood water 

 

 

Hey Bill,


Haven’t floated away yet. Had doors all open other day while scrubbing floors with bleach. Walked into bathroom and thought Newlin-dog had drug my belt in there. But my belt usually doesn’t hiss when I reach for it! I carefully got trespasser out without hurting it.


And it is the number one question people ask about living in a flood

 

Mark

 

Grafton Flood Party

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River at Grafton, IL

 

 

Wayne Draper of the 3rd Chute, Mary Tiemann of RiverBills.com and Brad Hagen of the Grafton Oyster Bar. They are standing in front of the Grafton Shuttle that Brad was driving

 

 

 

No party is complete until Carl dances on the table

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were taken Saturday afternoon at Grafton's Flood Party

 

 

 

Levee Break and Winfield Grain Company

Pool 25 of the Mississippi River

 

 

 

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were sent to us by Dean Walkenhorst

 

My brother and I took a trip Saturday the 18th from Highway N in Winfield to check on his club across from Cedar Hill and got some shots of the grain elevator levee break.

 

RiverBills Sticker Sighting

Breathless

Punta Cana

 

Click pic to enlarge

 

 

A RiverBills Sticker Sighting.....  was sent to us by Karen Sanders, owner of Froge's Gar & Grill in Portage des Sioux, Mo

 

Hello River Bill

With Mike Welz, Janet Medford Beckham, Dale Williams, Jenni Schroeder Williams, Jackie Lynch, Gerry Grieshaber, Mark Sanders and Mary Ann Dames at Breathless Punta Cana.

 

RiverBill says... What-A-Crew!

Thanks for taking RiverBills with you. 

Enjoy your vacation to the MAX !

 

RiverBills Sticker Sighting Page

Click here and check it out...

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Google Maps

Planning on being OPEN Friday, May 24

 for all Memorial Day Weekend fun

 

Northshore/ Boathouse Update .

Cleaning Event

After Flood Party Tuesday May 21

Justina from Channel 5 will be here to report on cleaning process

and reopening again, again lol .

Anybody that wants to help is welcome

whatever your talents are we could use.

Toni Luttrell

 

 

Thu - Sun ..open at 12pm
Closing is sketchy, we call it business decline

 and depends on customers and weather

 

Website.. click here       Facebook.. click here        Events.. click here

 

 

 

click here for Facebook          click here for website

 

Grafton Harbor.... 618-786-PORT (7678)

 

 

First Mate is a boat brokerage located on the beautiful upper Mississippi.

We sell boats and will find you the perfect boat!

 

 Click here for Facebook    Click here for Website    Browse Our Boats

 Yesteryear's Picture on this Day

 

Boater's Boats

1956 Chris Craft Continental

 

 

 Click pics to view on Facebook

 

The Pictures On This Day in 2018 ....

Caio Bella

Owner.. Michael Hentrich

 

The Chris is a ’56 continental 18’ long with a flywheel forward 283. I brought her to Dow, IL from Patriot, IN in 2006 and spent 3 yrs installing a new 5200 bottom in addition to complete restoration. She doesn’t see the water often enough, but retirement is just around the corner! I have christened her “Caio Bella” in honor of a beautiful time in our boating history.

 

 

Check out the BOATER'S BOATS page...  Click here

 

 

Website               Facebook             Map

www.RiverBills.com

Featured Classifieds

More Boats on RiverBills.com

"All Classifieds Page"

click here

The Grafton Oyster Bar

 

 

 Weekly Specials

Wednesdays - Fifty Cent Chicken wings with your choice of 4 different sauces and $10.00 buckets of domestic beer

Every Friday & Saturday - Free Juke Box from 10pm until close
Every Sunday- Breakfast from 8am until 11am to include fresh fruit, assorted muffins, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, omelet station, waffle station and more.
 

2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

Menu..  click here   Website.. click here   Facebook.. click here

 

River News !  

 

 

 

No new incident Reports
 

Click here to go to the Missouri State Highway Patrol website for "all" incident reports    

 

River Gear For Sale............

 

Click here  to buy your River T-shirts and Accessories on-line..

Delivered right to you mailbox in a few short days

 

   US Army Corps of Engineers
   St. Louis District - Weekly Navigation Channel Condition

 

 

UPDATED MAY 15, 2019    

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION - L/D CLOSURES - UPDATE
Due to high water conditions, the following L/D’s are closed to navigation:
L/D 16 (MM 457.2) L/D 24 (MM 273.4)
L/D 17 (MM 437.0) L/D 25 (MM 241.4)
L/D 20 (MM 343.2)  

Mariners are encouraged to contact the respective lock masters, for additional information.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY
The following area is in the extreme high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Zone 28 (Mile 185.4 – Mile 109.9).

Recreational vessel traffic is not recommended.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - UPDATE

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 5A (Mile 738.0 – Mile 728.6) Pool 21 (Mile 343.3 – Mile 324.9)
Pool 13 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 522.4) Pool 22 (Mile 324.8 – Mile 301.2)
Pool 14 (Mile 522.3 – Mile 493.3) Pool 26 (Mile 241.4 – Mile 200.5)
Pool 19 (Mile 410.4 – Mile 364.2) Pool 27 (Mile 200.4 – Mile 185.5

High water and drift potential may be encountered in these areas. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake, exercise caution and avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid downstreaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - Update
The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 3 (Mile 815.1 – Mile 796.9) Pool 24 (Mile 301.1 – Mile 273.4)
Pool 15–18 (Mile 493.2 – Mile 410.5 Pool 25 (Mile 273.3 – Mile 241.4)
Pool 20 (Mile 364.1 – Mile 343.2)  

In all high water phases, towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations. Mariners are urged to transit between Mile 483.0 to Mile 482.0, Mile 363.0 to Mile 362.0 and Mile 353.0 to Mile 352.0, at their slowest safe speed to minimize their wake, to protect levees from damage. Mariners should avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Down-streaming operations are not recommended. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 


ILLINOIS RIVER

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6) Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0)
Cooperas Creek Zone (Mile 145.5 – Mile 129.0) Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0)
Havana Zone (Mile 128.9 – Mile 102.0) Grafton Zone (Mile 9.9 – Mile 0.0)
Beardstown Zone (Mile 101.9 – Mile 80.3)  

The COTP has established a Safety Zone between Miles 108.5 and 10.0. Vessel transit within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP Upper Mississippi River. A no wake zone has been established from Mile 223.5 to Mile 221.0, to protect the levees. Minimal wake in the Peoria Zone (Mile 187.0 – Mile 145.6). In all other zones: Laying up on levees in this area is prohibited. Recreational traffic is discouraged. High water and drift could be encountered in this area. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake and exercise caution. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid down-streaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent any breakaways from occurring. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

MISSOURI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/COTP ADVISORY - UPDATE
The following areas are in the high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:

Omaha Reach (Mile 630.0 – Mile 500.0),

St. Joseph Reach (Mile 500.0 – Mile 400.0)

Kansas City Reach (Mile 400.0 – Mile 300.0),

Brunswick Reach (Mile 300.0 – 200.0) and

Washington Reach (Mile 100.0 – Mile 0.0).

Recreational vessel traffic is highly discouraged. Towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations as extreme high water and drift may be experienced. Exercise caution when down-streaming, be aware of bridge clearances prior to transit and favor the center of the channel. Mariners should pre-identify suitable lay-up areas in the event of a river closure and avoid laying up on levees. Fleeting areas should have a towboat attend fleets at all times and have a breakaway plan in place. Aids to navigation may have been dragged off station, damaged or destroyed, so remain cautious while transiting
 

Click here  for the current Navigation Channel Condition Status Report 

RiverBills Facebook

Two FaceBook Pages for You

 

The "River News and Media" Page

Page contains river news, RiverBills Pictures of the Day, Upcoming River Events, info from RiverBills.com advertisers, etc..... Click here and check it out

 

The "Boaters Group" Page

It's a group for all the boaters on all the rivers near the "PORT OF ST. LOUIS AND BEYOND." It's a Public Group, open to anyone that wants to join in. A place to post your boating pictures, shout outs, questions, comments, etc.  Stay in touch with other boaters all year long.  Invite your Boating Friends. 

We have 4,134 members as of 05-20-19....... Click here and check it out. 

 

We offer full fiberglass repair, high performance upgrades, transom & stringer rebuilds, service on older products, new & used parts department, an accessories department, as well as many other services to suit everyone's boating needs.

We continue to display our Yamaha Sport Boats + Crest, Mercury + Yamaha Outboards and Heritage & Haul Rite trailers

 

St. Charles Boat & Motor website      St. Charles Boat & Motor Facebook

 

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at Tuesday, May 7, 2019 1:24 PM

 

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

Coast Guard issues safety zone on the Illinois River due to high water
 

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Coast Guard has issued a safety zone on the Illinois River, restricting all vessel traffic from mile marker 187 to mile marker 145.6, and mile marker 80.2 to mile marker 10 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Tuesday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the safety zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the maritime industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

“During this extended period of high water, public safety is our number one priority,” said Capt. Scott Stoermer, Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River. “I urge commercial and recreational boaters to heed all safety advisories to avoid potentially dangerous conditions caused by floods and fast moving water.”

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve
.

 

-USCG-

 

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/03/2019 11:32 AM EDT

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

Coast Guard closes portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic near St. Louis, Missouri
 

ST. LOUIS, Miss – The Coast Guard has closed a portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic from mile marker 179 to 184 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Friday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the closure zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via VHF Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332 at least 30 minutes prior to movement.

Vessel movements within the closure zone should be to monitor or increase waterway and port safety only. The captain of the port will review each request to move within the closure zone on a case-by-base basis.

While outside the river closure zone, the Coast Guard strongly encourages southbound transits between mile marker 179 and the JB Bridge at mile marker 168.5 only occur during daylight hours.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the marine industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing

 

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR "YOUR WAKE"

The wake from your boat &

the wake from your automobile (if your driving on a flooded road)

Both do damage !

 

www.RiverBills.com         

 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District

U.S. Waterway System Transportation Facts & Information Books

 

 

 

reprinted from  US Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District.. click here

St. Louis District, US Army Corps of Engineers

National Safe Boating Week

 

 


It's National Safe Boating Week and we want YOU to wear your life jacket this recreation season!

 

Reprinted from St. Louis District US Army Corps of Engineers.. click here

 

National Safe Boating Week: May 18-24, 2019

https://www.weather.gov/safety/safeboating-week

 

 

Click here........ Port Charles Harbor website

Click here......Port Charles Harbor Facebook

St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Flood Fight Update

 St. Louis District, River & Reservoir Daily Report

The River and Reservoir Report (http://www.mvs-wc.usace.army.mil/dresriv.html) provides current river and lake levels, a three day forecast, flood stage, status and record flood elevations, as well as the inflow and outflow.

Check out our Flood Fight Page (https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Home/Flood-Fight) for the latest updates.
#2019floodfight

Mississippi Valley Division (US Army Corps of Engineers)

 

Looking Up The Mississippi River

Good News......

 

 

 

As of 5:00AM this morning (05-20-19) ....

 

The national Weather Service is forecasting another rise in river levels of 1 -2 feet starting at  Burlington, IA all the way to Alton, IL.

 

The Mississippi River is also forecasted to rise about 1 - 3 feet starting at Red Wing, MN down to Guttenberg, IA

 

Check out RiverBills River Gauges Page...

St. Louis, MO  to  St. Paul, MN ....  click here

 

Alton Marina Events !

 

Click here for website           Click here for Facebook

 

Duck Club Yacht Club

 

Saturday, May 25, 2019

1PM - 7PM

Adult Field Day

Suntan Beach, 4740 Highway H, 63301

 

Details
We are doing adult field day and having Markus prepare food to support the club because of this STUPID flood!! $25 for adults $15 for kids 12 and under for food and fun! Raffles and other things for support. This will count toward your minimums so even if you can’t attend you can donate!!! Some beer and water will be provided but BYOB!.... click here
 

May 20-22, 2019

The Inland Marine Expo
The Dome @ America’s Center....

 

The Inland Marine Expo isn’t just a tradeshow, it’s a homecoming for the hard-working and dedicated inland community. Make plans to catch up with your brown water family at IMX2019.

 

IMX2019 is proudly produced by The Waterways Journal, which has served as the news journal of record for the towing and barge industry on the inland waterways of the United States. From CEO's to deckhands, the Journal is the trusted news source for over 16,000 readers.

At IMX2019, you can expect three days of networking, new ideas and collaboration!
•With two exhibit days, you'll be able to connect with over 250 exhibitors who cater to the inland and intercoastal commercial marine industry.
•Learn from top industry experts and nationally recognized speakers and stay current on regulatory issues by attending education sessions, training opportunities and new product/ service showcases.
•Join us for networking events around St. Louis to reconnect with friends and build new relationships within the inland community.
 

 Reprinted from Inland Marine Expo Facebook page... click here

 

The Alton Motor Boat Club

Re-Opened Friday


The Alton Motor Boat Club re-opened it's doors for business !

 

STEAK NIGHT & QUEEN OF HEARTS is Next Thursday, May 23rd! Make sure to sign up. Sheet is at the club

 

Source Alton Motor Boat Club Facebook page... click here

 

Saturday, Sunday...May 25, 26, 2019..

Twain on Main Festival
Mississippi River at Hannibal, Mo....

 

Reposted from Twain On Main Facebook.. click here


 

River History....


May 20, 1927 in River History


The building of the Delta Queen and her identical twin boat, the Delta King was completed on May 20, 1927. The construction of the boats started in 1924 on the River Clyde at the William Denny & Brothers Ltd., in California Dumbarton, Scotland and then assembled at Banner Island Shipyard in Stockton.
William Denny & Brothers Ltd., Dumbarton, Scotland built the boat's machinery. Krupp Stahlwerke AG, Germany forged the paddlewheel shaft and the cranks.

 

My River Home website  facebook          Longshot Saloon facebook

The Cabana at the La Rosa facebook  

A Few Missouri Major Road Closures .......

 

Reprinted from MODOT

 

Some St. Louis area roads closed due to flooding:
 

  US-67 Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Mississippi River
  Since 02-MAY-19.
  NOTE: Traffic is sharing northbound lane with head-to-head traffic.

 

  MO-94 Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Closed Various places due to flooding several places

 

  Route B Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Dardenne Creek
   
  Route C Northbound /Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route M Eastbound / Westbound

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route N Eastbound (LINCOLN County)

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route P Southbound / Northbound (PIKE County) near Elsberry
  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route V Southbound / Northbound

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Mo-79 Northbound / Southbound

  Closed various places due to flooding

 

Click here for MoDot map and more information

St. Charles County

Road Closures .......

 

 Check out the St. Charles County Road Closures... click here
 

  

A Few of the St. Louis area Roads Closed Due To Flooding  .......

 

••IL 3 Cora Levee to Water Street near Chester in Randolph County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 3 Washington St to IL 100 in Grafton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•US 67 Mississippi River SB lanes closed, traffic on NB lanes with water on pavement in West Alton, Missouri.
•IL 96 Jefferson to IL 100 in Kampsville in Calhoun county is closed due to flooding.
•IL 96 CH 2 to Pike County Line near Mozier in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 US 67 to IL 16 near Alton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 IL 16 to Pike County Line near Hardin in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding


  Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

 

Ferry Closures .......

 

The Brussels Ferry is closed due to flooding

   Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

   

The Winfield Ferry is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from the Calhoun Ferry Company

 

The Grafton Ferry has not opened for the season yet.

   Click here for more information about the Grafton Ferry

 

 

  Website..click here      Facebook Page..click here

 

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Missouri Department of Conservation

News Release

 

MDC: Squirrel and black bass seasons open Memorial Day weekend
Hunt squirrel and catch and keep black bass beginning May 25.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Hunters and anglers can add fresh wild game and fish to their Memorial Day menus. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians that squirrel and black bass seasons open May 25, the Saturday before Memorial Day.

 

 

BLACK BASS

Anglers may catch and keep black bass, such as largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky bass, May 25 through Feb. 29, 2020, in most streams south of the Missouri River. Black bass can be caught and released legally throughout the year anywhere in Missouri, and legal-sized bass may be kept all year long from impoundments statewide. In most state waters, the daily limit on black bass is six. Fish taken from most rivers and streams must be 12 inches long. Additional specific regulations may apply to specific waters or areas. Anglers must have a valid fishing permit or be exempt.

More information on bass fishing can be found in MDC’s 2019 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, available where permits are sold, or online at https://bit.ly/2J7b8dm

Get tips from MDC on cooking fish at https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/cooking-fish
 


 

This News Release partially reprinted Missouri Department of Conservation email.

Go to MDC for information on Squirrel season in Missouri... click here

 

Alton Marina website               Alton Marina Facebook

 

List Your Boat

on RiverBills Classifieds

6 Months for $50.00

From "Now" until "October 2019" 

One month listing on the front page in the featured Classified Section

Six months on the Classified Page.  

 

e-mail your info along with 6 pictures (max) to riverbill@prodigy.net.

 

Click here and check out RiverBills Classifieds Page

We will bill you after the ad is on-line

 

 

 

Little John's Moptorsports... Click here

Little Johns Marine Service...  Click here

 

2019 Race Schedule..Click here

What's Going On This Week

3rd Chute Bar & Grill
211 W. Main St. Grafton, IL

 



 

OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR
Just a short walk from Grafton Harbor
Breakfast available every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8am till 12pm

$5.00 lunch specials from 11am till 2pm Monday thru Friday from 11am till 2pm.

3rd Chute Upcoming Events.. click here

Alton Marina

Mississippi River at Alton, IL

 

The Alton Marina Bridge is in place for your convenience !

 

The Deli at the Alton Marina will be opening soon

 

The Blessing of the Fleet Benefit

 

 

Sat.. July 27, 2019

          1PM at Grafton Harbor

 

This Year's Theme.. Mardi Gras

                     

 

 

The Boathouse

Northshore Marina

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

Planning on being OPEN Friday May 24 for all Memorial Day Weekend fun

 

Thu ..open at 12pm
Fri.... open at 12pm
Sat.. open at 12pm

 

 Upcoming Events.. click here

 

Cedar Hill Resort

Mississippi River

1 mile below Winfield Dam

 

 

Closed for the season

Con Trios Yacht Club

 

Take Me To The River Champagne Brunch

Sunday...June 2

10am - 2pm

Music by D-Dock DJs

Yacht Club of St. Louis

 

Click here for more information on Facebook

Duck Club Yacht Club

 

Saturday, May 25, 2019

1PM - 7PM

Adult Field Day

Suntan Beach, 4740 Highway H, 63301

 

Details
We are doing adult field day and having Markus prepare food to support the club because of this STUPID flood!! $25 for adults $15 for kids 12 and under for food and fun! Raffles and other things for support. This will count toward your minimums so even if you can’t attend you can donate!!! Some beer and water will be provided but BYOB!.... click here
 

 

DUCK CLUB Y. C......CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Hours:

  Friday Food 4-10 Bar till 1

  (crowd determining)

  Sat and Sun- Food 12-10
  Bar till 1 (crowd determining)

 

 

Froge's Bar and Grill

Portage des Sioux, MO

 

"Appetizer of the Month" Crab Rangoon

 

$1.50 can beer during all Blues & Cardinals televised games

 

Smoked Pork Steaks

Saturday - 2pm-til gone. 1 and half inch smoked pork steaks w/2 sides $11.49

 

CLOSED on Monday's


Sat.. July 6, 2019 Five Year Anniversary Party. HUGE CAR SHOW NOON TIL ???? ANYONE WELCOME!! WE MAY HAVE THE MOOLAH SHRINERS IN THEIR LITTLE GO CARS

 

Every Friday throughout the year we serve whole catfish, catfish nuggets, Alaskan Pollock and salmon served with 2 sides and a soft drink for $8.99 from 11am until gone or 10pm

  Grafton, IL

  Confluence of Mississippi  & Illinois Rivers

  Two Week Activity  Calendar

 

  

 

  Check out Grafton's Two Week Event and Music

  Calendar May 1 thru May 12 .... click here


 

Grafton Harbor

Confluence of Mississippi and Illinois Rivers


 

 

Grafton Harbor Gift Shop & Winery is open 7 day a week

 

Grafton Harbor

Grafton Harbor River Adventures
 

Mark your calendars and make reservations now!

 

Memorial Day Weekend Cruises..click here
 

The River Rambler Tour is a fun and educational 1 hour boat ride on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers highlighting the historical and geographical points of interest

For more information & booking ... click here

Grafton Oyster Bar

Grafton Harbor

 

 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 

 

 

2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

John's Boat Harbor

Mississippi River at UMR 231.8

 




 

Kinder's Restaurant

Mississippi River at Golden Eagle, IL

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING


Hi everyone! It's getting to be that time of year again! We are looking for fun, energetic, and friendly servers, bartenders, and cooks who can work on their feet. Servers must be 18 years of age, bartenders 21 years of age, and cooks 16 years of age. If anyone is interested, please contact Jeni Kiel at 618-799-9670.
Thank you, Kinder's Management.

 

Lake Center Marina

MM224.4 UMR

 

We’re excited to announce 40% OFF all annual docks & slips to new members!
http://lakecentermarina.com/new-members

 

Sat, May 18 Spring Fling with Jambone
 

Longshot Saloon

My River Home Marina and Resort

Mississippi River at Portage des Sioux...

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

Mike's La Rosa at My River Home

Mississippi River at

Portage des Sioux, Mo

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

 

Yacht Club of St. Louis Restaurant

Mississippi River

At UMR 225 On Dardenne Slough

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Sun..May 26..Tony Campanella ..2pm

 

Hours of operation

April ~   Thursdays open at 5pm

             Friday -Sunday open at 12pm
 

Facebook Event Calender.. click here

 

More Things Going On This Week

click here

 

River Ferries

 

Illinois River

Brussels Ferry............618 - 786-3636

 

Mississippi River

Golden Eagle Ferry ....618-  535-5759

Winfield Ferry.............618-  535-5759

Grafton Ferry............ 1-800-258-6645  ..Closed for the season

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBills....

 

Click here for last weekend's edition of RiverBills

 

Restaurants

Who's Open.. Who's Closed

Who's Open... Who's Closed........
 
3rd Chute Bar & Grill ......................... Open All Year
Arrrr Bar at Grafton Harbor.................. Closed for the season
Boathouse Food & Deck..................... Open All Year
Cedar Hill Resort................................ Closed for the season
Driftwood Crab Shack @ MRH Resort.. Opening Memorial Day 2019
Duck Club Yacht Club........................ Open for the season
Evandy's_Boatel................................ Open All Year
Froges Bar & Grill.............................. Open All Year
Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop...... Open
Grafton Oyster Bar............................. Open All Year
Kinder's Restaurant.......................... Closed for the season
Longshot Saloon................................ Closed for the season
LaRosa Cantina................................. Closed for the season
Yacht Club of St. Louis..................... Open for the season

THE WEEKEND

Sat, Sun.. 18, 19 May 2019

 

NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK MAY 18-24

 

 

Over 9.4 Million Boater Visits

Since Sept 12, 2004

To The Always Changing e-Waters of RiverBills.com

 

 

Be River Smart and  Flood Tuff

WATCH YOUR WAKE !

Driving in Flooded Areas on Land

and

on the Water

 

www.RiverBills.com

 

RiverBills Sticker Sighting

Boca Chica, Panama

 

 Click pic to enlarge

 

 

A RiverBills Sticker Sighting.....  was posted in RiverBills Boaters Group by Capt'n Steve Kelly.

 

 

Shout out to the group.

8 degrees from the equator. Boca Chica, Panama.

Yellow fin and Mahi fishing is great here.

Running about 110 miles round trip

 

 

RiverBills Sticker Sighting Page

Click here and check it out...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Boca Chica, Panama

Click here for more info

Vltava River

Prague, Czech Republic

Sun Pic

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Picture of the Day.... was sent to us by Claudia Burris who hails out of Hoppies Marina in Kimmswick, Mo.

 

Hi Bill!


It was just another beautiful evening on the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic. What a beautiful place. How’s the flooding back home?

 

See you on the river!


Claudia Burris
Hoppies Marina Correspondent
 

Grafton Flood Party

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

Sun Pic

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Picture of the Day.... was sent to us by Capt'n Tim Crawford

 

RiverBill,

It took Gumption to get there. 2019 Grafton Flood Party.

Tim
 

Blessing of the Fleet Committee

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

Sun Pic

L/R Back Row.. Darryll, RiverBill, Rick, Charles, Jay, Jeff

L/R front Row... Maureen, Lisa, Lisa, Marilyn, Mary

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Picture of the Day.... was taken yesterday at Rookies by Matt James

 

The 2019 Blessing of the Fleet Committee met Saturday afternoon at Rookies to start the planning of this year's Blessing of the Fleet.

 

BENEFIT for the Blessing

Grafton Harbor at 1pm, on July 27th, 2019 

 

Blessing of the Fleet

August 17, 2019

 

 

Thursday Sunset

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

Sat Pic

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were sent to us by Capt'n Brad Maher

 

RiverBill,

Finally was able to get back out on river Thursday and enjoyed a nice sunset.

Brad Maher
Alton Motorboat Club

 

The River Travels of Mike Stanczak

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

Sat Pic

 

Went to Grafton Wednesday

 had to do some parallel parking at the 3rd chute

 

Almost ran a STOP sign ! LOL

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were sent to us by Capt'n Mike Stanczak

 

 

 

RiverBill says.... With the reflection in the water

Looks like it spells "EIOB"

Ha Ha

RiverBills Sticker Sighting

Bahamas

Sat Pic

Click pic to enlarge

 

 

A RiverBills Sticker Sighting.....  was sent to us by Capt'n Dennie Heisler

 

Reggie in the Bahamas

 

RiverBills Sticker Sighting Page

Click here and check it out...

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

Planning on being OPEN Friday, May 24

 for all Memorial Day Weekend fun

 

 

Thu - Sun ..open at 12pm
Closing is sketchy, we call it business decline

 and depends on customers and weather

 

Website.. click here       Facebook.. click here        Events.. click here

 

 

 

click here for Facebook          click here for website

 

Grafton Harbor.... 618-786-PORT (7678)

 

 

First Mate is a boat brokerage located on the beautiful upper Mississippi.

We sell boats and will find you the perfect boat!

 

 Click here for Facebook    Click here for Website    Browse Our Boats

 Yesteryear's Picture on this Day

 

Luhr Brothers Boat Dock

Mississippi River at Columbia, IL

Sat Pic

 Click pics to view on Facebook

 

The Pictures On This Day in 2018 .... were taken by Captain Mike Coyle

 

"So were undergoing main engine overhaul at our repair yard in Columbia IL. This yacht is coming on down the river & calls me on the radio. Its our buddys Glenn Sadowski & Greg Sadowski. They're taking that boat up the Ohio River to Cincinnati. Visited for a few minutes & took some photos . Nice boat fellers.

 

Some folks live a charmed life the rest of us gotta work for a living! Ha! Ha!"

 

Michael Coyle

Captain of the Towboat Twyla Luhr
 

Reprinted from Facebook with Michael's permission.. click here

 

 

Website               Facebook             Map

www.RiverBills.com

Featured Classifieds

More Boats on RiverBills.com

"All Classifieds Page"

click here

The Grafton Oyster Bar

 

OPEN THIS WEEKEND

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Come to Grafton THIS WEEKEND for our FLOOD PARTY!!

The weather will be awesome so come and see us at Grafton Oyster Bar Sat. May 18 & Sun. May 19 11a.m. to 8p.m. Since the water is still high we will provide a SHUTTLE BY BOAT (courtesy of Grafton Harbor) to the restaurant. Enjoy outdoor dining, drinks & the best view of the flood! And to make this experience even better we will have FREE BREAD PUDDING!! Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop will be open as well and are STOCKED for this season so make sure to visit them while you are here!

Plan to stay for the day and party down the block with Grafton Pub, 3rd Chute Bar & Grill, Aerie's Winery & Grafton Winery!!

Parking will be available at Jersey State Bank, Aerie's Zipline on Main (if the water is down enough) or street parking by Grafton Winery. The BOAT SHUTTLE will pick up next to Uncle Andy's Country Market and next to the Grafton Pub.

 

 

 Weekly Specials

Wednesdays - Fifty Cent Chicken wings with your choice of 4 different sauces and $10.00 buckets of domestic beer

Every Friday & Saturday - Free Juke Box from 10pm until close
Every Sunday- Breakfast from 8am until 11am to include fresh fruit, assorted muffins, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, omelet station, waffle station and more.
 

2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

Menu..  click here   Website.. click here   Facebook.. click here

 

River News !  

 

 

Added Sunday

River Levels Forecast

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

 

 

Surprise !.
The river levels are forecasted to rise jump back up in Pool 26 and all the way up the Mississippi River to Keokuk, Iowa and on in to Minnasota.

 

Check out RiverBills River GaugesPage...
St. Louis, MO to St. Paul,MN .... click here

 

Added Sunday

The Nina & Pinta

Loading Dock at Grafton, IL

New Dates

 

 

The Nina & Pinta ships will be arriving later due to the high water(I hope). Attached is the revised info. Thanks, Carole Clayton - Secretary of Chamber

Grafton Chamber of Commerce
P. O. Box 403
Grafton, IL 62037
graftonchamber@gmail.com
http://www.graftonilchamber.com
http://www.enjoygrafton.com

Added Sunday

Yacht Club of St. Louis

UMR 225.5 of the Dardenne Slough

Pool 26 of the Mississippi RIver

 

Happy Friday!! So it is not the start of the season we have wished for but we are trying to make the best. Gate and roads to the left are dry there is still 1’ or so on club parking lot, the clubhouse is dry.
Dock ramps are accessible on A,B,C,E,F docks. Water is on as well. D dock should be ok by Saturday. Docks to the right of front gate can not be reached with water over road.
Sorry for any inconvenience we will have all docks accessible ASAP. Thank you for your patience. Hope you can all enjoy your weekend !!
Feel free to call Andy if you have any concerns

 

Reprinted from Yacht Club of St. Louis Facebook... click here

 

Added Sunday

US National Weather Service Saint Louis Missouri
Renewed River Flooding

 

 

US National Weather Service Saint Louis Missouri

Heavy rainfall amounts of 3-5+ inches over the next 7 days will lead to additional river flooding next week into the following week. The bulk of the heavy rainfall is expected to fall in the Missouri and Mississippi River basins, thus the highest impacts are expected along those rivers. In some locations, values may approach the high crests of a couple weeks ago.
 

Reprinted from US National Weather Service St. Louis Facebook... click here

 

Added Sunday

US National Weather Service Saint Louis Missouri
Severe Storms Possible Sunday

 

 

US National Weather Service Saint Louis Missouri

Severe thunderstorms are possible across south-central Illinois from late Sunday
 

Reprinted from US National Weather Service St. Louis Facebook... click here

 

Added Sunday

Saturday & Sunday, May 18 & 19, 2019

Grafton IL

Confluence of Illinois and Mississippi Rivers

 

 

Reprinted From Grafton harbor Facebook..click here

 

 

 

No new incident Reports
 

Click here to go to the Missouri State Highway Patrol website for "all" incident reports    

 

River Gear For Sale............

 

Click here  to buy your River T-shirts and Accessories on-line..

Delivered right to you mailbox in a few short days

 

   US Army Corps of Engineers
   St. Louis District - Weekly Navigation Channel Condition

 

 

UPDATED MAY 15, 2019    

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION - L/D CLOSURES - UPDATE
Due to high water conditions, the following L/D’s are closed to navigation:
L/D 16 (MM 457.2) L/D 24 (MM 273.4)
L/D 17 (MM 437.0) L/D 25 (MM 241.4)
L/D 20 (MM 343.2)  

Mariners are encouraged to contact the respective lock masters, for additional information.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY
The following area is in the extreme high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Zone 28 (Mile 185.4 – Mile 109.9).

Recreational vessel traffic is not recommended.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - UPDATE

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 5A (Mile 738.0 – Mile 728.6) Pool 21 (Mile 343.3 – Mile 324.9)
Pool 13 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 522.4) Pool 22 (Mile 324.8 – Mile 301.2)
Pool 14 (Mile 522.3 – Mile 493.3) Pool 26 (Mile 241.4 – Mile 200.5)
Pool 19 (Mile 410.4 – Mile 364.2) Pool 27 (Mile 200.4 – Mile 185.5

High water and drift potential may be encountered in these areas. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake, exercise caution and avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid downstreaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - Update
The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 3 (Mile 815.1 – Mile 796.9) Pool 24 (Mile 301.1 – Mile 273.4)
Pool 15–18 (Mile 493.2 – Mile 410.5 Pool 25 (Mile 273.3 – Mile 241.4)
Pool 20 (Mile 364.1 – Mile 343.2)  

In all high water phases, towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations. Mariners are urged to transit between Mile 483.0 to Mile 482.0, Mile 363.0 to Mile 362.0 and Mile 353.0 to Mile 352.0, at their slowest safe speed to minimize their wake, to protect levees from damage. Mariners should avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Down-streaming operations are not recommended. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 


ILLINOIS RIVER

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6) Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0)
Cooperas Creek Zone (Mile 145.5 – Mile 129.0) Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0)
Havana Zone (Mile 128.9 – Mile 102.0) Grafton Zone (Mile 9.9 – Mile 0.0)
Beardstown Zone (Mile 101.9 – Mile 80.3)  

The COTP has established a Safety Zone between Miles 108.5 and 10.0. Vessel transit within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP Upper Mississippi River. A no wake zone has been established from Mile 223.5 to Mile 221.0, to protect the levees. Minimal wake in the Peoria Zone (Mile 187.0 – Mile 145.6). In all other zones: Laying up on levees in this area is prohibited. Recreational traffic is discouraged. High water and drift could be encountered in this area. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake and exercise caution. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid down-streaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent any breakaways from occurring. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

MISSOURI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/COTP ADVISORY - UPDATE
The following areas are in the high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:

Omaha Reach (Mile 630.0 – Mile 500.0),

St. Joseph Reach (Mile 500.0 – Mile 400.0)

Kansas City Reach (Mile 400.0 – Mile 300.0),

Brunswick Reach (Mile 300.0 – 200.0) and

Washington Reach (Mile 100.0 – Mile 0.0).

Recreational vessel traffic is highly discouraged. Towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations as extreme high water and drift may be experienced. Exercise caution when down-streaming, be aware of bridge clearances prior to transit and favor the center of the channel. Mariners should pre-identify suitable lay-up areas in the event of a river closure and avoid laying up on levees. Fleeting areas should have a towboat attend fleets at all times and have a breakaway plan in place. Aids to navigation may have been dragged off station, damaged or destroyed, so remain cautious while transiting
 

Click here  for the current Navigation Channel Condition Status Report 

RiverBills Facebook

Two FaceBook Pages for You

 

The "River News and Media" Page

Page contains river news, RiverBills Pictures of the Day, Upcoming River Events, info from RiverBills.com advertisers, etc..... Click here and check it out

 

The "Boaters Group" Page

It's a group for all the boaters on all the rivers near the "PORT OF ST. LOUIS AND BEYOND." It's a Public Group, open to anyone that wants to join in. A place to post your boating pictures, shout outs, questions, comments, etc.  Stay in touch with other boaters all year long.  Invite your Boating Friends. 

We have 4,107 members as of 05-19-19....... Click here and check it out. 

 

Click here........ Port Charles Harbor website

Click here......Port Charles Harbor Facebook

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at Tuesday, May 7, 2019 1:24 PM

 

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

Coast Guard issues safety zone on the Illinois River due to high water
 

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Coast Guard has issued a safety zone on the Illinois River, restricting all vessel traffic from mile marker 187 to mile marker 145.6, and mile marker 80.2 to mile marker 10 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Tuesday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the safety zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the maritime industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

“During this extended period of high water, public safety is our number one priority,” said Capt. Scott Stoermer, Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River. “I urge commercial and recreational boaters to heed all safety advisories to avoid potentially dangerous conditions caused by floods and fast moving water.”

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve
.

 

-USCG-

 

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/03/2019 11:32 AM EDT

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

 

Coast Guard closes portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic near St. Louis, Missouri
 

ST. LOUIS, Miss – The Coast Guard has closed a portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic from mile marker 179 to 184 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Friday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the closure zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via VHF Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332 at least 30 minutes prior to movement.

Vessel movements within the closure zone should be to monitor or increase waterway and port safety only. The captain of the port will review each request to move within the closure zone on a case-by-base basis.

While outside the river closure zone, the Coast Guard strongly encourages southbound transits between mile marker 179 and the JB Bridge at mile marker 168.5 only occur during daylight hours.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the marine industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing

 

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR "YOUR WAKE"

The wake from your boat &

the wake from your automobile (if your driving on a flooded road)

Both do damage !

 

www.RiverBills.com         

 

United States Coast Guard

News Release

 

Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary to host National Safe Boating Week event

 

Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary to host National Safe Boating Week event

 


ST. LOUIS — Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River is partnering with other government agencies to spread awareness of the importance of safe boating and wearing proper personal flotation devices.

This year National Safe Boating Week is Saturday through May 24. The campaign promotes safe and responsible boating and the value of consistent life jacket wear by recreational boaters.

National Safe Boating Week is an annual observance sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council, and endorsed and promoted by the Coast Guard. National Safe Boating Week is the launch of the 2019 North American Safe Boating Campaign.

For more information on boating safety, please visit the U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division at USCGBoating.org, or the National Safe Boating Council at SafeBoatingCouncil.org.

The Coast Guard has a mobile app which provides essential services and information most commonly requested by boaters. For more information, visit USCG.mil/mobile.

“Educating boaters on the safe practices of recreational boating is a priority,” said Capt. Scott Stoermer, captain of the port at Sector Upper Mississippi River. “We encourage everyone to stay safe and to wear personal floatation devices when operating on America’s waterways. Especially as more people turn to our waters for recreation, we want everyone who goes out to spend a day on the water to come home.”
 

-USCG-

 

Reprinted from US Coast Guard E-mailing

 

National Safe Boating Week: May 18-24, 2019

https://www.weather.gov/safety/safeboating-week

 

 

Winfield and Golden Eagle Ferries

Remain Closed........

 

May 17, 2019


Both the Golden Eagle Ferry and Winfield Ferry remain closed for flooding. As most of you know the levee at Winfield was overtopped and I believe breached just below us around the old elevator. The water should be off our landing at Winfield sometime this weekend but until the water is off of Hwy N we will remain closed. As soon as we have any information to pass along we will. It looks like Golden Eagle will be closed for awhile yet. Based on the current river forecast our landing will not be out for at least another week and then it will have to drain off of Hwy B. I will post an update as soon as I have any new information.
Thank You,
The Calhoun Ferry Company

 

Reprinted from the Calhoun Ferry Facebook... click here

 

Alton Marina Events !

 

Click here for website           Click here for Facebook

 

Missouri Stat Highway

Marine Theft Prevention......

 

THEFT PREVENTION

Marine theft is on an increase, and is usually done by relatively unskilled, young amateurs who strike where they find an easy opportunity.

We can defend ourselves against this type of crime by becoming security conscious and by practicing the following common sense crime prevention measures, keeping in mind three factors which discourage thieves everywhere: TIME, NOISE, VISIBILITY
 

Click here to continue reading this article about the following:

  REMOVE EQUIPMENT & TACKLE
  EQUIPMENT IDENTIFICATION
  PHOTOGRAPH IT
  RECORD IT
  MAKE SURE DOCK LOCKERS ARE SECURE
  OUTBOARD MOTORS
  BOAT PROPELLERS
  PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
  TRAILERABLE BOATS
  VESSEL SECURITY
  DOCK SECURITY
  REPORT IT
  WHEN BUYING A BOAT
  Marine Security Records Form - Duplicate and Keep with your records

 

Reprinted from Missouri State highway Patrol..click here

St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Flood Fight Update

 St. Louis District, River & Reservoir Daily Report

The River and Reservoir Report (http://www.mvs-wc.usace.army.mil/dresriv.html) provides current river and lake levels, a three day forecast, flood stage, status and record flood elevations, as well as the inflow and outflow.

Check out our Flood Fight Page (https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Home/Flood-Fight) for the latest updates.
#2019floodfight

Mississippi Valley Division (US Army Corps of Engineers)

 

Looking Up The Mississippi River

Good News......

 

 

 

As of 5:00AM this morning (05-18-19) ....

The water levels on Pool 26 of the  Mississippi River continue to drop and a few river businesses are re-opening. Yeah !

 

The national Weather Service is forecasting a slight rise in river levels starting at Winfield, Mo (UMR 241.4) up to Illinois City, IL (UMR 458)

 

Check out RiverBills River Gauges Page...

St. Louis, MO  to  St. Paul, MN ....  click here

 

My River Home website  facebook          Longshot Saloon facebook

The Cabana at the La Rosa facebook  

 

Saturday & Sunday... May 18 -19, 2019

Goldenrod Showboat Exhibit
Grand Opera House
311 N Main in St. Charles


We are getting prepped for our first exhibit of the year this weekend! If you are in the St. Charles area, come and see us! We will be at the Grand Opera House located at 311 N Main in St. Charles. Jake will be there with items in our exhibit lineup along with plenty of photos and stories. This weekend we are also unveiling a new piece to our collection that was shipped in from Kansas City this past week. It should be a great weekend with the St. Charles 250th celebration going on around us. Haunted Road Media will be with us with Mike's book that features the Goldenrod! See you all soon!!
 

Reprinted from Goldenrod Showboat Facebook page... click here

 

• Saturday Showtimes •
12:45 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM
• Sunday Showtimes •
1:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:15 PM

 

Click here for more information from St. Charles Events

Grafton, Illinois

Flood Party This Weekend

3rd Chute Bar & Grill

 

Grafton flood party this Saturday!


We are having a party Saturday May 18th Jake Webber will be playing from 1p to 5p. We are blocking off the street live music, beer and food specials. Come up and support your local bars...Grafton Oyster Bar will be open, shuttling people. We will also have the Treehouse open all day Saturday. We do have a designated parking areas all around including the bank. Come Check it out... Let's Get It On!!
 

Reprinted from 3rd Chute Facebook page... click here

 

The Alton Motor Boat Club

Re-Opened Friday


The Alton Motor Boat Club re-opened it's doors for business yesterday !

 

STEAK NIGHT & QUEEN OF HEARTS is Next Thursday, May 23rd! Make sure to sign up. Sheet is at the club

 

Source Alton Motor Boat Club Facebook page... click here

 

River History....


May 18, 1979 in River History



The first race between the Delta Queen and the Mississippi Queen took place. The Mississippi Queen won !

 

 

  Website..click here      Facebook Page..click here

 

A Few Missouri Major Road Closures .......

 

Reprinted from MODOT

 

Some St. Louis area roads closed due to flooding:
 

  US-67 Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Mississippi River
  Since 02-MAY-19.
  NOTE: Traffic is sharing northbound lane with head-to-head traffic.

 

  MO-94 Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Closed Various places due to flooding several places

 

  Route B Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Dardenne Creek
   
  Route C Northbound /Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route M Eastbound / Westbound

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route N Eastbound (LINCOLN County)

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route P Southbound / Northbound (PIKE County) near Elsberry
  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route V Southbound / Northbound

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Mo-79 Northbound / Southbound

  Closed various places due to flooding

 

Click here for MoDot map and more information

St. Charles County

Road Closures .......

 

 Check out the St. Charles County Road Closures... click here
 

  

A Few of the St. Louis area Roads Closed Due To Flooding  .......

 

•IL 3 Washington St to IL 100 in Grafton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•US 67 Mississippi River SB lanes closed, traffic on NB lanes with water on pavement in West Alton, Missouri.
•IL 96 Jefferson to IL 100 in Kampsville in Calhoun county is closed due to flooding.
•IL 96 CH 2 to Pike County Line near Mozier in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 US 67 to IL 16 near Alton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 IL 16 to Pike County Line near Hardin in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

 

Ferry Closures .......

 

The Brussels Ferry is closed due to flooding

   Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

   

The Winfield Ferry is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from the Calhoun Ferry Company

 

The Grafton Ferry has not opened for the season yet.

   Click here for more information about the Grafton Ferry

 

Alton Marina website               Alton Marina Facebook

 

Missouri Department of Conservation

News Release

 

 

Angler finds new invasive fish in St. Francis River floodwaters........

 

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Fisheries management biologists with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) confirm an angler caught a Northern snakehead from a borrow ditch within the St. Francis River levees in Dunklin County. The fish was caught on April 25. According to biologists, a Northern snakehead population was discovered in eastern Arkansas waterways in 2008, so they believed it was only a matter of time before it would migrate north from the bordering state.

“This fish’s wide temperature tolerance, potential to spawn multiple times in one year, and ability to survive in low oxygenated waters are reasons why it’s a threat to Missouri waters,” explained Dave Knuth, a MDC fisheries management biologist. “The impacts of this species on native fish populations are still to be determined in states where they’re already established and research is ongoing in several states to determine this invader’s true impact.”

The Northern snakehead is native to eastern China and southeastern Russia. This species is a popular live-food fish in the Asian markets. It was commonly imported to the United States before the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prohibited its importation and interstate transportation in 2002. The Northern Snakehead was brought for private fish farming in Monroe County, Arkansas in 2000, before the ban was in place, and escaped from there into Arkansas waterways... click here to continue reading

 

Reprinted from he Missouri Department of Conservation.. click here

We offer full fiberglass repair, high performance upgrades, transom & stringer rebuilds, service on older products, new & used parts department, an accessories department, as well as many other services to suit everyone's boating needs.

We continue to display our Yamaha Sport Boats + Crest, Mercury + Yamaha Outboards and Heritage & Haul Rite trailers

 

St. Charles Boat & Motor website      St. Charles Boat & Motor Facebook

 

List Your Boat

on RiverBills Classifieds

6 Months for $50.00

From "Now" until "October 2019" 

One month listing on the front page in the featured Classified Section

Six months on the Classified Page.  

 

e-mail your info along with 6 pictures (max) to riverbill@prodigy.net.

 

Click here and check out RiverBills Classifieds Page

We will bill you after the ad is on-line

 

 

 

Little John's Moptorsports... Click here

Little Johns Marine Service...  Click here

 

2019 Race Schedule..Click here

What's Going On This Week

3rd Chute Bar & Grill
211 W. Main St. Grafton, IL

 

Grafton flood party this Saturday! Here is the picture of 3rd Chute in the flood of 1993 and a picture of my house today. We are having a party Saturday May 18th Jake Webber will be playing from 1p to 5p. We are blocking off the street live music,beer and food specials. Come up and support your local bars...Grafton Oyster Bar will be open, shuttling people. We will also have the Treehouse open all day Saturday. We do have a designated parking areas all around including the bank. Come Check it out... Let's Get It On!!

 

OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR
Just a short walk from Grafton Harbor
Breakfast available every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8am till 12pm

$5.00 lunch specials from 11am till 2pm Monday thru Friday from 11am till 2pm.

3rd Chute Upcoming Events.. click here

Alton Marina

Mississippi River at Alton, IL

 

The Alton Marina Bridge is in place for your convenience !

 

The Deli at the Alton Marina will be opening soon

 

The Blessing of the Fleet Benefit

 

 

Sat.. July 27, 2019

          1PM at Grafton Harbor

 

This Year's Theme.. Mardi Gras

                     

 

 

The Boathouse

Northshore Marina

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

Planning on being OPEN Friday May 24 for all Memorial Day Weekend fun

 

Thu ..open at 12pm
Fri.... open at 12pm
Sat.. open at 12pm

 

 Upcoming Events.. click here

 

Cedar Hill Resort

Mississippi River

1 mile below Winfield Dam

 

 

Closed for the season

Con Trios Yacht Club

 

Take Me To The River Champagne Brunch

Sunday...June 2

10am - 2pm

Music by D-Dock DJs

Yacht Club of St. Louis

 

Click here for more information on Facebook

Duck Club Yacht Club

 

Saturday, May 25, 2019

1PM - 7PM

Adult Field Day

Suntan Beach, 4740 Highway H, 63301

 

Details
We are doing adult field day and having Markus prepare food to support the club because of this STUPID flood!! $25 for adults $15 for kids 12 and under for food and fun! Raffles and other things for support. This will count toward your minimums so even if you can’t attend you can donate!!! Some beer and water will be provided but BYOB!.... click here
 

 

DUCK CLUB Y. C......CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Hours:

  Friday Food 4-10 Bar till 1

  (crowd determining)

  Sat and Sun- Food 12-10
  Bar till 1 (crowd determining)

 

 

Froge's Bar and Grill

Portage des Sioux, MO

 

"Appetizer of the Month" Crab Rangoon

 

$1.50 can beer during all Blues & Cardinals televised games

 

Smoked Pork Steaks

Saturday - 2pm-til gone. 1 and half inch smoked pork steaks w/2 sides $11.49

 

CLOSED on Monday's


Sat.. July 6, 2019 Five Year Anniversary Party. HUGE CAR SHOW NOON TIL ???? ANYONE WELCOME!! WE MAY HAVE THE MOOLAH SHRINERS IN THEIR LITTLE GO CARS

 

Every Friday throughout the year we serve whole catfish, catfish nuggets, Alaskan Pollock and salmon served with 2 sides and a soft drink for $8.99 from 11am until gone or 10pm

  Grafton, IL

  Confluence of Mississippi  & Illinois Rivers

  Two Week Activity  Calendar

 

  

 

  Check out Grafton's Two Week Event and Music

  Calendar May 1 thru May 12 .... click here


 

Grafton Harbor

Confluence of Mississippi and Illinois Rivers


CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Grafton Harbor Gift Shop & Winery is open 7 day a week

 

Grafton Harbor

Grafton Harbor River Adventures
 

Mark your calendars and make reservations now!

 

Memorial Day Weekend Cruises..click here
 

The River Rambler Tour is a fun and educational 1 hour boat ride on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers highlighting the historical and geographical points of interest

For more information & booking ... click here

Grafton Oyster Bar

Grafton Harbor

 

Come to Grafton THIS WEEKEND for our FLOOD PARTY!!

The weather will be awesome so come and see us at Grafton Oyster Bar Sat. May 18 & Sun. May 19 11a.m. to 8p.m. Since the water is still high we will provide a SHUTTLE BY BOAT (courtesy of Grafton Harbor) to the restaurant. Enjoy outdoor dining, drinks & the best view of the flood! And to make this experience even better we will have FREE BREAD PUDDING!! Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop will be open as well and are STOCKED for this season so make sure to visit them while you are here!

Plan to stay for the day and party down the block with Grafton Pub, 3rd Chute Bar & Grill, Aerie's Winery & Grafton Winery!!

Parking will be available at Jersey State Bank, Aerie's Zipline on Main (if the water is down enough) or street parking by Grafton Winery. The BOAT SHUTTLE will pick up next to Uncle Andy's Country Market and next to the Grafton Pub.

 

 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 

 

 

2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

John's Boat Harbor

Mississippi River at UMR 231.8

 




 

Kinder's Restaurant

Mississippi River at Golden Eagle, IL

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING


Hi everyone! It's getting to be that time of year again! We are looking for fun, energetic, and friendly servers, bartenders, and cooks who can work on their feet. Servers must be 18 years of age, bartenders 21 years of age, and cooks 16 years of age. If anyone is interested, please contact Jeni Kiel at 618-799-9670.
Thank you, Kinder's Management.

 

Lake Center Marina

MM224.4 UMR

 

We’re excited to announce 40% OFF all annual docks & slips to new members!
http://lakecentermarina.com/new-members

 

Sat, May 18 Spring Fling with Jambone
 

Longshot Saloon

My River Home Marina and Resort

Mississippi River at Portage des Sioux...

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

Mike's La Rosa at My River Home

Mississippi River at

Portage des Sioux, Mo

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

 

Yacht Club of St. Louis Restaurant

Mississippi River

At UMR 225 On Dardenne Slough

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Sun..May 26..Tony Campanella ..2pm

 

Hours of operation

April ~   Thursdays open at 5pm

             Friday -Sunday open at 12pm
 

Facebook Event Calender.. click here

 

More Things Going On This Week

click here

 

River Ferries

 

Illinois River

Brussels Ferry............618 - 786-3636

 

Mississippi River

Golden Eagle Ferry ....618-  535-5759

Winfield Ferry.............618-  535-5759

Grafton Ferry............ 1-800-258-6645  ..Closed for the season

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBills....

 

Click here for last weekend's edition of RiverBills

 

Restaurants

Who's Open.. Who's Closed

Who's Open... Who's Closed........
 
3rd Chute Bar & Grill ......................... Open All Year
Arrrr Bar at Grafton Harbor.................. Closed for the season
Boathouse Food & Deck..................... Open All Year
Cedar Hill Resort................................ Closed for the season
Driftwood Crab Shack @ MRH Resort.. Opening Memorial Day 2019
Duck Club Yacht Club........................ Open for the season
Evandy's_Boatel................................ Open All Year
Froges Bar & Grill.............................. Open All Year
Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop...... Open
Grafton Oyster Bar............................. Open All Year
Kinder's Restaurant.......................... Closed for the season
Longshot Saloon................................ Closed for the season
LaRosa Cantina................................. Closed for the season
Yacht Club of St. Louis..................... Open for the season

FRIDAY

May 17, 2019

 

WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET

 TO WORK DAY

 

 

Over 9.4 Million Boater Visits

Since Sept 12, 2004

To The Always Changing e-Waters of RiverBills.com

 

 

Be River Smart and  Flood Tuff

WATCH YOUR WAKE !

Driving in Flooded Areas on Land

and

on the Water

 

www.RiverBills.com

 

 

More of the River Travels of

Capt'n Carl Tiemann

 

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

Clearing the logs off the dock

 

Beach is trying to come out of the depth of the flood

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were sent to us by our Roaming River Reporter....Capt'n Carl Tiemann who hails out of Park Carl on Wilson Road Slough in St. Charles County, Mo

 

Pictures from yesterday evening

 

 

Woodland Park

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

 

 

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were sent to us by Capt'n David Haas

 

Yesterday (05-16-19)
Woodland park
Just another day on the river

 

 

RiverBills Sticker Sighting

Tahiti

 

Click pic to enlarge

 

 

A RiverBills Sticker Sighting.....  was posted in RiverBills Boaters Group by Terry Hartman

 

We forgot our sticker so we had to improvise!

Terry and Valerie Hartman
L’Escale

Lake Center Marina

 

 

RiverBills Sticker Sighting Page

Click here and check it out...

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

Planning on being OPEN Friday, May 24

 for all Memorial Day Weekend fun

 

 

Thu - Sun ..open at 12pm
Closing is sketchy, we call it business decline

 and depends on customers and weather

 

Website.. click here       Facebook.. click here        Events.. click here

 

 

 

click here for Facebook          click here for website

 

Grafton Harbor.... 618-786-PORT (7678)

 

 

First Mate is a boat brokerage located on the beautiful upper Mississippi.

We sell boats and will find you the perfect boat!

 

 Click here for Facebook    Click here for Website    Browse Our Boats

 Yesteryear's Picture on this Day

 

Eric's 2016 Catch of the Day

Missouri River

Eric Williams holding his catch !

 

Dale Williams holding the catch

 click pic to enlarge

 

The Pictures On This Day in 2016 .... were sent to us by Capt'n Dale Williams of the boat.....  "Show Me Mo."

 

Bill

It was about 35-40 lbs caught on the the Missouri River by my son Eric Williams, on Asian Carp.

 

Dale

 

 

Website               Facebook             Map

www.RiverBills.com

Featured Classifieds

More Boats on RiverBills.com

"All Classifieds Page"

click here

The Grafton Oyster Bar

 

OPENING THIS WEEKEND

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Come to Grafton THIS WEEKEND for our FLOOD PARTY!!

The weather will be awesome so come and see us at Grafton Oyster Bar Sat. May 18 & Sun. May 19 11a.m. to 8p.m. Since the water is still high we will provide a SHUTTLE BY BOAT (courtesy of Grafton Harbor) to the restaurant. Enjoy outdoor dining, drinks & the best view of the flood! And to make this experience even better we will have FREE BREAD PUDDING!! Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop will be open as well and are STOCKED for this season so make sure to visit them while you are here!

Plan to stay for the day and party down the block with Grafton Pub, 3rd Chute Bar & Grill, Aerie's Winery & Grafton Winery!!

Parking will be available at Jersey State Bank, Aerie's Zipline on Main (if the water is down enough) or street parking by Grafton Winery. The BOAT SHUTTLE will pick up next to Uncle Andy's Country Market and next to the Grafton Pub.

 

 

 Weekly Specials

Wednesdays - Fifty Cent Chicken wings with your choice of 4 different sauces and $10.00 buckets of domestic beer

Every Friday & Saturday - Free Juke Box from 10pm until close
Every Sunday- Breakfast from 8am until 11am to include fresh fruit, assorted muffins, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, omelet station, waffle station and more.
 

2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

Menu..  click here   Website.. click here   Facebook.. click here

 

River News !  

 

 

 

No new incident Reports
 

Click here to go to the Missouri State Highway Patrol website for "all" incident reports    

 

River Gear For Sale............

 

Click here  to buy your River T-shirts and Accessories on-line..

Delivered right to you mailbox in a few short days

 

   US Army Corps of Engineers
   St. Louis District - Weekly Navigation Channel Condition

 

 

UPDATED MAY 15, 2019    

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION - L/D CLOSURES - UPDATE
Due to high water conditions, the following L/D’s are closed to navigation:
L/D 16 (MM 457.2) L/D 24 (MM 273.4)
L/D 17 (MM 437.0) L/D 25 (MM 241.4)
L/D 20 (MM 343.2)  

Mariners are encouraged to contact the respective lock masters, for additional information.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY
The following area is in the extreme high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Zone 28 (Mile 185.4 – Mile 109.9).

Recreational vessel traffic is not recommended.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - UPDATE

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 5A (Mile 738.0 – Mile 728.6) Pool 21 (Mile 343.3 – Mile 324.9)
Pool 13 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 522.4) Pool 22 (Mile 324.8 – Mile 301.2)
Pool 14 (Mile 522.3 – Mile 493.3) Pool 26 (Mile 241.4 – Mile 200.5)
Pool 19 (Mile 410.4 – Mile 364.2) Pool 27 (Mile 200.4 – Mile 185.5

High water and drift potential may be encountered in these areas. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake, exercise caution and avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid downstreaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - Update
The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 3 (Mile 815.1 – Mile 796.9) Pool 24 (Mile 301.1 – Mile 273.4)
Pool 15–18 (Mile 493.2 – Mile 410.5 Pool 25 (Mile 273.3 – Mile 241.4)
Pool 20 (Mile 364.1 – Mile 343.2)  

In all high water phases, towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations. Mariners are urged to transit between Mile 483.0 to Mile 482.0, Mile 363.0 to Mile 362.0 and Mile 353.0 to Mile 352.0, at their slowest safe speed to minimize their wake, to protect levees from damage. Mariners should avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Down-streaming operations are not recommended. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 


ILLINOIS RIVER

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6) Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0)
Cooperas Creek Zone (Mile 145.5 – Mile 129.0) Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0)
Havana Zone (Mile 128.9 – Mile 102.0) Grafton Zone (Mile 9.9 – Mile 0.0)
Beardstown Zone (Mile 101.9 – Mile 80.3)  

The COTP has established a Safety Zone between Miles 108.5 and 10.0. Vessel transit within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP Upper Mississippi River. A no wake zone has been established from Mile 223.5 to Mile 221.0, to protect the levees. Minimal wake in the Peoria Zone (Mile 187.0 – Mile 145.6). In all other zones: Laying up on levees in this area is prohibited. Recreational traffic is discouraged. High water and drift could be encountered in this area. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake and exercise caution. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid down-streaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent any breakaways from occurring. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

MISSOURI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/COTP ADVISORY - UPDATE
The following areas are in the high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:

Omaha Reach (Mile 630.0 – Mile 500.0),

St. Joseph Reach (Mile 500.0 – Mile 400.0)

Kansas City Reach (Mile 400.0 – Mile 300.0),

Brunswick Reach (Mile 300.0 – 200.0) and

Washington Reach (Mile 100.0 – Mile 0.0).

Recreational vessel traffic is highly discouraged. Towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations as extreme high water and drift may be experienced. Exercise caution when down-streaming, be aware of bridge clearances prior to transit and favor the center of the channel. Mariners should pre-identify suitable lay-up areas in the event of a river closure and avoid laying up on levees. Fleeting areas should have a towboat attend fleets at all times and have a breakaway plan in place. Aids to navigation may have been dragged off station, damaged or destroyed, so remain cautious while transiting
 

Click here  for the current Navigation Channel Condition Status Report 

RiverBills Facebook

Two FaceBook Pages for You

 

The "River News and Media" Page

Page contains river news, RiverBills Pictures of the Day, Upcoming River Events, info from RiverBills.com advertisers, etc..... Click here and check it out

 

The "Boaters Group" Page

It's a group for all the boaters on all the rivers near the "PORT OF ST. LOUIS AND BEYOND." It's a Public Group, open to anyone that wants to join in. A place to post your boating pictures, shout outs, questions, comments, etc.  Stay in touch with other boaters all year long.  Invite your Boating Friends. 

We have 4,087 members as of 05-17-19....... Click here and check it out. 

 

Click here........ Port Charles Harbor website

Click here......Port Charles Harbor Facebook

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at Tuesday, May 7, 2019 1:24 PM

 

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

Coast Guard issues safety zone on the Illinois River due to high water
 

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Coast Guard has issued a safety zone on the Illinois River, restricting all vessel traffic from mile marker 187 to mile marker 145.6, and mile marker 80.2 to mile marker 10 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Tuesday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the safety zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the maritime industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

“During this extended period of high water, public safety is our number one priority,” said Capt. Scott Stoermer, Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River. “I urge commercial and recreational boaters to heed all safety advisories to avoid potentially dangerous conditions caused by floods and fast moving water.”

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve
.

 

-USCG-

 

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/03/2019 11:32 AM EDT

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

 

Coast Guard closes portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic near St. Louis, Missouri
 

ST. LOUIS, Miss – The Coast Guard has closed a portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic from mile marker 179 to 184 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Friday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the closure zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via VHF Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332 at least 30 minutes prior to movement.

Vessel movements within the closure zone should be to monitor or increase waterway and port safety only. The captain of the port will review each request to move within the closure zone on a case-by-base basis.

While outside the river closure zone, the Coast Guard strongly encourages southbound transits between mile marker 179 and the JB Bridge at mile marker 168.5 only occur during daylight hours.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the marine industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing

 

DID YOU KNOW ?

Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on a cellular phone if they need assistance or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner.

 

*55

Enter the number into your cell phone now under Missouri Water Patrol

 

 

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR "YOUR WAKE"

The wake from your boat &

the wake from your automobile (if your driving on a flooded road)

Both do damage !

 

www.RiverBills.com         

 

TODAY      TODAY       TODAY

 

Friday, May 17, 2019

US Army Corps of Engineers

Wear Your Life Jacket To Work Day........

 

Reprinted from US Army Corps of Engineers Facebook... click here

 

Alton Marina Events !

 

Click here for website           Click here for Facebook

 

Missouri Stat Highway Patrol Post From 2017

 

 

click pic for larger view

 

Reprinted from Missouri State highway Patrol in 2017

St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Flood Fight Update

 St. Louis District, River & Reservoir Daily Report

The River and Reservoir Report (http://www.mvs-wc.usace.army.mil/dresriv.html) provides current river and lake levels, a three day forecast, flood stage, status and record flood elevations, as well as the inflow and outflow.

Check out our Flood Fight Page (https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Home/Flood-Fight) for the latest updates.
#2019floodfight

Mississippi Valley Division (US Army Corps of Engineers)

 

Looking Up The Mississippi River

Good News......

 

 

 

As of 5:00AM this morning (05-17-19) ....

The water levels on Pool 26 of the  Mississippi River continue to drop and a few river businesses are re-opening.

All the river gauges and forecasts from Pool 26 all the way up to St. Paul, MN show the Mississippi River to continue to fall.

 

Check out RiverBills River Gauges Page...

St. Louis, MO  to  St. Paul, MN ....  click here

 

My River Home website  facebook          Longshot Saloon facebook

The Cabana at the La Rosa facebook  

Upcoming Events

Friday - Sunday..August 23 - 25, 2019

HogBack 2019

Mississippi River at Quincy, IL

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

Saturday & Sunday... May 18 -19, 2019

Goldenrod Showboat Exhibit
Grand Opera House
311 N Main in St. Charles


We are getting prepped for our first exhibit of the year this weekend! If you are in the St. Charles area, come and see us! We will be at the Grand Opera House located at 311 N Main in St. Charles. Jake will be there with items in our exhibit lineup along with plenty of photos and stories. This weekend we are also unveiling a new piece to our collection that was shipped in from Kansas City this past week. It should be a great weekend with the St. Charles 250th celebration going on around us. Haunted Road Media will be with us with Mike's book that features the Goldenrod! See you all soon!!
 

Reprinted from Goldenrod Showboat Facebook page... click here

 

• Saturday Showtimes •
12:45 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM
• Sunday Showtimes •
1:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:15 PM

 

Click here for more information from St. Charles Events

Grafton, Illinois

Flood Party This Weekend

3rd Chute Bar & Grill

 

Grafton flood party this Saturday!


We are having a party Saturday May 18th Jake Webber will be playing from 1p to 5p. We are blocking off the street live music, beer and food specials. Come up and support your local bars...Grafton Oyster Bar will be open, shuttling people. We will also have the Treehouse open all day Saturday. We do have a designated parking areas all around including the bank. Come Check it out... Let's Get It On!!
 

Reprinted from 3rd Chute Facebook page... click here

 

River History....


May 17, 1849 in River History


A devastating fire destroyed a significant part of St. Louis and many of the steamboats on the St. Louis riverfront. This was the first fire in United States history in which it is known that a firefighter was killed in the line of duty.

The St. Louis Great Fire of 1849 was started on the evening of May 17, 1849 by a smoldering mattress aboard the steamboat White Cloud.  The fire quickly spread to an adjoining steamboat, the Edward Bates, which burnt free of her moorings located on what is now Laclede's Landing.  She drifted downriver, spreading fire as she went.  In a half an hours time, 23 steamboats were on fire.  The Great Fire would claim 418 buildings along 15 blocks...

Fire captain Thomas Targee sent orders for soldiers to use kegs of gunpowder to blow up buildings in order to create a fire-stop. His idea worked to an extent, but he was killed in one of the explosions

 

 

  Website..click here      Facebook Page..click here

 

Quimby's Cruising Guide

Sunglasses Offer

 

 

Click here to go to Quimby's Cruising Guide Facebook

 

A Few Missouri Major Road Closures .......

 

Reprinted from MODOT

 

Some St. Louis area roads closed due to flooding:
 

  US-67 Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Mississippi River
  Since 02-MAY-19.
  NOTE: Traffic is sharing northbound lane with head-to-head traffic.

 

  MO-94 Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Closed Various places due to flooding several places

 

  Route B Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Dardenne Creek
   
  Route C Northbound /Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route M Eastbound / Westbound

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route N Eastbound (LINCOLN County)

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route P Southbound / Northbound (PIKE County) near Elsberry
  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route V Southbound / Northbound

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Mo-79 Northbound / Southbound

  Closed various places due to flooding

 

Click here for MoDot map and more information

St. Charles County

Road Closures .......

 

 Check out the St. Charles County Road Closures... click here
 

  

A Few of the St. Louis area Roads Closed Due To Flooding  .......

 

•IL 3 Cora Levee to Water Street near Chester in Randolph County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 3 Washington St to IL 100 in Grafton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•US 67 Mississippi River SB lanes closed, traffic on NB lanes with water on pavement in West Alton, Missouri.
•IL 96 Jefferson to IL 100 in Kampsville in Calhoun county is closed due to flooding.
•IL 96 CH 2 to Pike County Line near Mozier in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 US 67 to IL 16 near Alton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 IL 16 to Pike County Line near Hardin in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

 

Ferry Closures .......

 

The Brussels Ferry is closed due to flooding

   Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

   

The Winfield Ferry is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from the Calhoun Ferry Company

 

The Grafton Ferry has not opened for the season yet.

   Click here for more information about the Grafton Ferry

 

Alton Marina website               Alton Marina Facebook

 

Illinois Department Natural Resources

Illinois Fishing Report


Fishing Report for Mississippi - Pool 25-26 Alton

 

WEEK

FISH

FISHING CONDITIONS

5-14-19 CRAPPIE SLOW to FAIR: Shiners are the favorite baits. Warmer weather temperatures that are in the forecast should help fishing activities.
5-14-19 LARGEMOUTH BASS FAIR: Area farm ponds are producing with top water lures.
5-14-19 CHANNEL CATFISH FAIR: Fish are biting in the main channel on Gold fish. Some nice sized fish. Also try putting out a trot line.
5-14-19 RAINBOW TROUT FAIR: Some nice sized fish are being taken from the state stocked trout ponds in the area with Berkley Power Bait.

 

Reprinted from ifishillinois.org.. click here

Missouri Department of Conservation News

 

 

Stoddard County Angler Swipes State Record For Black Buffalo........

 

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates Joshua Lee of Bernie on his record-breaking 76-pound black buffalo shot in Stoddard County. Lee shot the whopper of a fish while bowfishing at Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1 April 21. The previous record weighed 74-pounds.

MDC staff verified the fish’s weight using a certified scale in Bernie.

“That’s a big fish – even for one of Missouri’s largest species of suckers,” said MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson. “Congratulations to Joshua on smashing the state record!”

Sucker fish live on the bottom of lakes, rivers, and streams. They feed by sucking up mainly invertebrates and plants. These fish are found in a majority of rivers and lakes throughout most of Missouri.

Suckers are one of the dominant groups of large fishes in Missouri waters. In many streams, their total poundage may exceed that of all other fishes combined.

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.


For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://bit.ly/2efq1vl
 

Reprinted from he Missouri Department of Conservation.. click here

Missouri Department of Conservation

News Release

 

 

Young Huntsville angler catches first state-record yellow perch........

 

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates Isaac Bohm, 13, of Huntsville, on catching the first state-record yellow perch taken by alternative methods. Bohm caught the fish at a private pond in Randolph County May 11 using a trotline. Weighing in at 10-ounces, it is the first yellow perch that has met the minimum weight requirement set by MDC’s Master Angler Award. The yellow perch’s weight was verified on a certified scale in Moberly.

When there are open state records, MDC refers to the minimum requirements set by its Master Angler Award. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2JGC8jz.

“I was very excited when I learned that it’d be a state record because that’s been my goal,” said Bohm. “I caught a yellow perch last year, but I was just a fraction of an ounce off the state’s minimum requirement.”

Bohm said this catch is fueling him to obtain more state-record titles.

“I’m definitely going to keep trying to catch more state-record fish,” Bohm declared. “I think I’m going to mount it and probably keep it as my trophy.”

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl. For more details on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://bit.ly/2efq1vl
 

Reprinted from he Missouri Department of Conservation.. click here

We offer full fiberglass repair, high performance upgrades, transom & stringer rebuilds, service on older products, new & used parts department, an accessories department, as well as many other services to suit everyone's boating needs.

We continue to display our Yamaha Sport Boats + Crest, Mercury + Yamaha Outboards and Heritage & Haul Rite trailers

 

St. Charles Boat & Motor website      St. Charles Boat & Motor Facebook

 

List Your Boat

on RiverBills Classifieds

6 Months for $50.00

From "Now" until "October 2019" 

One month listing on the front page in the featured Classified Section

Six months on the Classified Page.  

 

e-mail your info along with 6 pictures (max) to riverbill@prodigy.net.

 

Click here and check out RiverBills Classifieds Page

We will bill you after the ad is on-line

 

 

 

Little John's Moptorsports... Click here

Little Johns Marine Service...  Click here

 

2019 Race Schedule..Click here

What's Going On This Week

3rd Chute Bar & Grill
211 W. Main St. Grafton, IL

 

Grafton flood party this Saturday! Here is the picture of 3rd Chute in the flood of 1993 and a picture of my house today. We are having a party Saturday May 18th Jake Webber will be playing from 1p to 5p. We are blocking off the street live music,beer and food specials. Come up and support your local bars...Grafton Oyster Bar will be open, shuttling people. We will also have the Treehouse open all day Saturday. We do have a designated parking areas all around including the bank. Come Check it out... Let's Get It On!!

 

OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR
Just a short walk from Grafton Harbor
Breakfast available every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8am till 12pm

$5.00 lunch specials from 11am till 2pm Monday thru Friday from 11am till 2pm.

3rd Chute Upcoming Events.. click here

Alton Marina

Mississippi River at Alton, IL

 

The Alton Marina Bridge is in place for your convenience !

 

The Deli at the Alton Marina will be opening soon

 

The Blessing of the Fleet Benefit

 

 

Sat.. July 27, 2019

          1PM at Grafton Harbor

 

This Year's Theme.. Mardi Gras

                     

 

 

The Boathouse

Northshore Marina

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

Planning on being OPEN Friday May 24 for all Memorial Day Weekend fun

 

Thu ..open at 12pm
Fri.... open at 12pm
Sat.. open at 12pm

 

 Upcoming Events.. click here

 

Cedar Hill Resort

Mississippi River

1 mile below Winfield Dam

 

 

Closed for the season

Con Trios Yacht Club

 

Take Me To The River Champagne Brunch

Sunday...June 2

10am - 2pm

Music by D-Dock DJs

Yacht Club of St. Louis

 

Click here for more information on Facebook

Duck Club Yacht Club

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Hours:

  Friday Food 4-10 Bar till 1

  (crowd determining)

  Sat and Sun- Food 12-10
  Bar till 1 (crowd determining)

 

 

Froge's Bar and Grill

Portage des Sioux, MO

 

"Appetizer of the Month" Crab Rangoon

 

$1.50 can beer during all Blues & Cardinals televised games

 

Smoked Pork Steaks

Saturday - 2pm-til gone. 1 and half inch smoked pork steaks w/2 sides $11.49

 

CLOSED on Monday's


Sat.. July 6, 2019 Five Year Anniversary Party. HUGE CAR SHOW NOON TIL ???? ANYONE WELCOME!! WE MAY HAVE THE MOOLAH SHRINERS IN THEIR LITTLE GO CARS

 

Every Friday throughout the year we serve whole catfish, catfish nuggets, Alaskan Pollock and salmon served with 2 sides and a soft drink for $8.99 from 11am until gone or 10pm

  Grafton, IL

  Confluence of Mississippi  & Illinois Rivers

  Two Week Activity  Calendar

 

  

 

  Check out Grafton's Two Week Event and Music

  Calendar May 1 thru May 12 .... click here


 

Grafton Harbor

Confluence of Mississippi and Illinois Rivers


CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Grafton Harbor Gift Shop & Winery is open 7 day a week

 

Grafton Harbor

Grafton Harbor River Adventures
 

Mark your calendars and make reservations now!

 

Memorial Day Weekend Cruises..click here
 

The River Rambler Tour is a fun and educational 1 hour boat ride on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers highlighting the historical and geographical points of interest

For more information & booking ... click here

Grafton Oyster Bar

Grafton Harbor

 

Come to Grafton THIS WEEKEND for our FLOOD PARTY!!

The weather will be awesome so come and see us at Grafton Oyster Bar Sat. May 18 & Sun. May 19 11a.m. to 8p.m. Since the water is still high we will provide a SHUTTLE BY BOAT (courtesy of Grafton Harbor) to the restaurant. Enjoy outdoor dining, drinks & the best view of the flood! And to make this experience even better we will have FREE BREAD PUDDING!! Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop will be open as well and are STOCKED for this season so make sure to visit them while you are here!

Plan to stay for the day and party down the block with Grafton Pub, 3rd Chute Bar & Grill, Aerie's Winery & Grafton Winery!!

Parking will be available at Jersey State Bank, Aerie's Zipline on Main (if the water is down enough) or street parking by Grafton Winery. The BOAT SHUTTLE will pick up next to Uncle Andy's Country Market and next to the Grafton Pub.

 

 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 

 

 

2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

John's Boat Harbor

Mississippi River at UMR 231.8

 




 

Kinder's Restaurant

Mississippi River at Golden Eagle, IL

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING


Hi everyone! It's getting to be that time of year again! We are looking for fun, energetic, and friendly servers, bartenders, and cooks who can work on their feet. Servers must be 18 years of age, bartenders 21 years of age, and cooks 16 years of age. If anyone is interested, please contact Jeni Kiel at 618-799-9670.
Thank you, Kinder's Management.

 

Lake Center Marina

MM224.4 UMR

 

We’re excited to announce 40% OFF all annual docks & slips to new members!
http://lakecentermarina.com/new-members

 

Sat, May 18 Spring Fling with Jambone
 

Longshot Saloon

My River Home Marina and Resort

Mississippi River at Portage des Sioux...

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

Mike's La Rosa at My River Home

Mississippi River at

Portage des Sioux, Mo

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

 

Yacht Club of St. Louis Restaurant

Mississippi River

At UMR 225 On Dardenne Slough

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Sun..May 26..Tony Campanella ..2pm

 

Hours of operation

April ~   Thursdays open at 5pm

             Friday -Sunday open at 12pm
 

Facebook Event Calender.. click here

 

More Things Going On This Week

click here

 

River Ferries

 

Illinois River

Brussels Ferry............618 - 786-3636

 

Mississippi River

Golden Eagle Ferry ....618-  535-5759

Winfield Ferry.............618-  535-5759

Grafton Ferry............ 1-800-258-6645  ..Closed for the season

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBills....

 

Click here for last weekend's edition of RiverBills

 

Restaurants

Who's Open.. Who's Closed

Who's Open... Who's Closed........
 
3rd Chute Bar & Grill ......................... Open All Year
Arrrr Bar at Grafton Harbor.................. Closed for the season
Boathouse Food & Deck..................... Open All Year
Cedar Hill Resort................................ Closed for the season
Driftwood Crab Shack @ MRH Resort.. Opening Memorial Day 2019
Duck Club Yacht Club........................ Open for the season
Evandy's_Boatel................................ Open All Year
Froges Bar & Grill.............................. Open All Year
Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop...... Open
Grafton Oyster Bar............................. Open All Year
Kinder's Restaurant.......................... Closed for the season
Longshot Saloon................................ Closed for the season
LaRosa Cantina................................. Closed for the season
Yacht Club of St. Louis..................... Open for the season

THURSDAY

May 16, 2019

 

 

Over 9.4 Million Boater Visits

Since Sept 12, 2004

To The Always Changing e-Waters of RiverBills.com

 

 

Be River Smart

and

Flood Tuff

WATCH YOUR WAKE !

Driving in Flooded Areas on Land

and

on the Water

 

www.RiverBills.com

 

 

More of the River Travels of

Capt'n Carl Tiemann

 

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

The Yacht Club of St. Louis

 

The Boathouse Food and Deck

 

Polestar Marina

 

1st Tow Seen In A While

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were sent to us by Capt'n Carl Tiemann who hails out of Park Carl on Wilson Road Slough in St. Charles County, Mo

 

Pictures from yesterday evening

 

 

Flood Update

Entrance Woodland Marina

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Picture of the Day.... was sent to us by Capt'n Mike O'Shea

 

Woodland Park Rd. ~ Tuesday May 14

 

 

Alton Motor Boat Club

Piasa Creek of Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

 

 

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were sent to us by Capt'n Brad Maher

 


RiverBill,

With the very hard work of several Board and regular members we prevented major damage to our clubhouse from the latest crest. We should be back open soon and have a few open slips if anyone is interested. Hopefully we are done with major flooding for a long time.

Brad Maher
Alton Motorboat Club

 

RiverBills Sticker Sighting

Fallon's Irish Bar & Grill

Olivette, Mo

 

(L/R) Lorie, Aunt Nancy, Mary and RiverBill

 

Lorie and Aunt Nancy 

Click pic to enlarge

 

 

A RiverBills Sticker Sighting.....  happened last night at Fallon's Irish Bar & Grill.

 

Mary and I were watching the Blues Game and grabbing a bite to eat after doing some RiverBills work and who walks in ..  Lorie Miller and her Aunt Nancy !  So you what happened next.  We had a RiverBills Sticker Sighting.

 

Just never know who your going to run into from the River

 

Who's counting, but it was 3 River Boaters and a Laker.

Aunt Nancy boats at Lake Ozarks

 

 

RiverBill says... Glad to meet you Aunt Nancy

 

 

RiverBills Sticker Sighting Page

Click here and check it out...

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Thu - Sun ..open at 12pm
Closing is sketchy, we call it business decline

 and depends on customers and weather

 

Website.. click here       Facebook.. click here        Events.. click here

 

 

 

click here for Facebook          click here for website

 

Grafton Harbor.... 618-786-PORT (7678)

 

 

First Mate is a boat brokerage located on the beautiful upper Mississippi.

We sell boats and will find you the perfect boat!

 

 Click here for Facebook    Click here for Website    Browse Our Boats

 Yesteryear's Picture on this Day

 

New Bridge

 

 

 click pic to enlarge

 

The Pictures On This Day in 2013 .... were sent to us by Capt'n Gary Mckelvey

 

Bill,


Been a while since I was able to send you some bridge pictures , looks like they have 3 more cables to install.


Gary McKelvey

 

Website               Facebook             Map

www.RiverBills.com

Featured Classifieds

More Boats on RiverBills.com

"All Classifieds Page"

click here

The Grafton Oyster Bar

 

OPENING THIS WEEKEND

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Come to Grafton THIS WEEKEND for our FLOOD PARTY!!

The weather will be awesome so come and see us at Grafton Oyster Bar Sat. May 18 & Sun. May 19 11a.m. to 8p.m. Since the water is still high we will provide a SHUTTLE BY BOAT (courtesy of Grafton Harbor) to the restaurant. Enjoy outdoor dining, drinks & the best view of the flood! And to make this experience even better we will have FREE BREAD PUDDING!! Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop will be open as well and are STOCKED for this season so make sure to visit them while you are here!

Plan to stay for the day and party down the block with Grafton Pub, 3rd Chute Bar & Grill, Aerie's Winery & Grafton Winery!!

Parking will be available at Jersey State Bank, Aerie's Zipline on Main (if the water is down enough) or street parking by Grafton Winery. The BOAT SHUTTLE will pick up next to Uncle Andy's Country Market and next to the Grafton Pub.
 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 
 2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

Grafton Oyster Bar will be offering the following weekly specials

beginning May 1st, 2019

Wednesdays - Fifty Cent Chicken wings with your choice of 4 different sauces and $10.00 buckets of domestic beer

Every Friday & Saturday - Free Juke Box from 10pm until close
Every Sunday- Breakfast from 8am until 11am to include fresh fruit, assorted muffins, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, omelet station, waffle station and more.
 

Menu..  click here   Website.. click here   Facebook.. click here

 

River News !  

 

 

 

No new incident Reports
 

Click here to go to the Missouri State Highway Patrol website for "all" incident reports    

 

River Gear For Sale............

 

Click here  to buy your River T-shirts and Accessories on-line..

Delivered right to you mailbox in a few short days

 

   US Army Corps of Engineers
   St. Louis District - Weekly Navigation Channel Condition

 

 

UPDATED MAY 15, 2019    

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION - L/D CLOSURES - UPDATE
Due to high water conditions, the following L/D’s are closed to navigation:
L/D 16 (MM 457.2) L/D 24 (MM 273.4)
L/D 17 (MM 437.0) L/D 25 (MM 241.4)
L/D 20 (MM 343.2)  

Mariners are encouraged to contact the respective lock masters, for additional information.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY
The following area is in the extreme high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Zone 28 (Mile 185.4 – Mile 109.9).

Recreational vessel traffic is not recommended.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - UPDATE

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 5A (Mile 738.0 – Mile 728.6) Pool 21 (Mile 343.3 – Mile 324.9)
Pool 13 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 522.4) Pool 22 (Mile 324.8 – Mile 301.2)
Pool 14 (Mile 522.3 – Mile 493.3) Pool 26 (Mile 241.4 – Mile 200.5)
Pool 19 (Mile 410.4 – Mile 364.2) Pool 27 (Mile 200.4 – Mile 185.5

High water and drift potential may be encountered in these areas. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake, exercise caution and avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid downstreaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - Update
The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 3 (Mile 815.1 – Mile 796.9) Pool 24 (Mile 301.1 – Mile 273.4)
Pool 15–18 (Mile 493.2 – Mile 410.5 Pool 25 (Mile 273.3 – Mile 241.4)
Pool 20 (Mile 364.1 – Mile 343.2)  

In all high water phases, towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations. Mariners are urged to transit between Mile 483.0 to Mile 482.0, Mile 363.0 to Mile 362.0 and Mile 353.0 to Mile 352.0, at their slowest safe speed to minimize their wake, to protect levees from damage. Mariners should avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Down-streaming operations are not recommended. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 


ILLINOIS RIVER

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6) Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0)
Cooperas Creek Zone (Mile 145.5 – Mile 129.0) Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0)
Havana Zone (Mile 128.9 – Mile 102.0) Grafton Zone (Mile 9.9 – Mile 0.0)
Beardstown Zone (Mile 101.9 – Mile 80.3)  

The COTP has established a Safety Zone between Miles 108.5 and 10.0. Vessel transit within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP Upper Mississippi River. A no wake zone has been established from Mile 223.5 to Mile 221.0, to protect the levees. Minimal wake in the Peoria Zone (Mile 187.0 – Mile 145.6). In all other zones: Laying up on levees in this area is prohibited. Recreational traffic is discouraged. High water and drift could be encountered in this area. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake and exercise caution. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid down-streaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent any breakaways from occurring. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

MISSOURI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/COTP ADVISORY - UPDATE
The following areas are in the high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:

Omaha Reach (Mile 630.0 – Mile 500.0),

St. Joseph Reach (Mile 500.0 – Mile 400.0)

Kansas City Reach (Mile 400.0 – Mile 300.0),

Brunswick Reach (Mile 300.0 – 200.0) and

Washington Reach (Mile 100.0 – Mile 0.0).

Recreational vessel traffic is highly discouraged. Towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations as extreme high water and drift may be experienced. Exercise caution when down-streaming, be aware of bridge clearances prior to transit and favor the center of the channel. Mariners should pre-identify suitable lay-up areas in the event of a river closure and avoid laying up on levees. Fleeting areas should have a towboat attend fleets at all times and have a breakaway plan in place. Aids to navigation may have been dragged off station, damaged or destroyed, so remain cautious while transiting
 

Click here  for the current Navigation Channel Condition Status Report 

RiverBills Facebook

Two FaceBook Pages for You

 

The "River News and Media" Page

Page contains river news, RiverBills Pictures of the Day, Upcoming River Events, info from RiverBills.com advertisers, etc..... Click here and check it out

 

The "Boaters Group" Page

It's a group for all the boaters on all the rivers near the "PORT OF ST. LOUIS AND BEYOND." It's a Public Group, open to anyone that wants to join in. A place to post your boating pictures, shout outs, questions, comments, etc.  Stay in touch with other boaters all year long.  Invite your Boating Friends. 

We have 4,070 members as of 05-16-19....... Click here and check it out. 

 

Click here........ Port Charles Harbor website

Click here......Port Charles Harbor Facebook

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at Tuesday, May 7, 2019 1:24 PM

 

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

Coast Guard issues safety zone on the Illinois River due to high water
 

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Coast Guard has issued a safety zone on the Illinois River, restricting all vessel traffic from mile marker 187 to mile marker 145.6, and mile marker 80.2 to mile marker 10 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Tuesday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the safety zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the maritime industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

“During this extended period of high water, public safety is our number one priority,” said Capt. Scott Stoermer, Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River. “I urge commercial and recreational boaters to heed all safety advisories to avoid potentially dangerous conditions caused by floods and fast moving water.”

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

 

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/03/2019 11:32 AM EDT

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

 

Coast Guard closes portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic near St. Louis, Missouri
 

ST. LOUIS, Miss – The Coast Guard has closed a portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic from mile marker 179 to 184 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Friday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the closure zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via VHF Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332 at least 30 minutes prior to movement.

Vessel movements within the closure zone should be to monitor or increase waterway and port safety only. The captain of the port will review each request to move within the closure zone on a case-by-base basis.

While outside the river closure zone, the Coast Guard strongly encourages southbound transits between mile marker 179 and the JB Bridge at mile marker 168.5 only occur during daylight hours.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the marine industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing

 

DID YOU KNOW ?

Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on a cellular phone if they need assistance or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner.

 

*55

 

Enter the number into your cell phone now under Missouri Water Patrol

 

 

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR "YOUR WAKE"

The wake from your boat &

the wake from your automobile (if your driving on a flooded road)

Both do damage !

 

www.RiverBills.com         

 

Illinois River

Two Week Closure Planned For This Summer........

 

The US Army Corps of Engineers plans a two-week closure on the Illinois River this Summer starting as early as August.  And additional closures of 90 to 120 days are expected in the summers of 2020 and 2023. Businesses are being encouraged to start making alternative plans for their moving their commodities

To maintain a navigable connection on the Illinois Waterway between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River, six of the eight locks are scheduled to undergo major infrastructure repairs . The US Army Corps of Engineers has developed plans for the  closure of multiple locks at the same time to provide a window for much needed critical repairs and maintenance, while reducing impacts to navigation
 

Click here to read this news story from thetelegraph.com  With Photo & Video

 

Tomorrow   Tomorrow   Tomorrow

 

Friday, May 17, 2019

US Army Corps of Engineers

Wear Your Life Jacket To Work Day........

 

Reprinted from US Army Corps of Engineers Facebook... click here

 

Alton Marina Events !

 

Click here for website           Click here for Facebook

 

Grafton, Illinois ~ Message From The Mayor........

Power Washers, Property Taxes, Nina & Pinta Postponed

 

Good evening Grafton,

I’m sorry about being so late in the evening in making this post but I thought it important enough I should share.

After making numerous calls to Lowe’s, Home Depot, Menard’s and Sun Belt Rentals, the Alton Lowe’s manager came through for the City of Grafton and came up with 5 power washers for flood clean up. Andy Jackson was kind enough to assemble and service all 5 and they will be available for use tomorrow. Please call City Hall for details.

I also contacted Jersey County officials to see if an extension could be granted to homeowners and business owners on their property taxes. Chairman Don Little is working on this for us and hopefully we will have positive answer shortly.

Lastly, the captain of the Nina and Pinta was contacted and their visit to Grafton with their replica ships has been postponed/rescheduled for May 31-June 9. This is always a big draw for Grafton and we are happy to have them.

The water is receding and the sun is shining. Better days to come! Shooting for a City reopening Memorial Day weekend. Volunteers are welcome. Please contact City Hall or the Chamber of Commerce. Go Blues!!!

 

Rick Eberlin-Mayor of Grafton
 

Reprinted from Grafton, Illinois Facebook page... click here

St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Flood Fight Update

 St. Louis District, River & Reservoir Daily Report

The River and Reservoir Report (http://www.mvs-wc.usace.army.mil/dresriv.html) provides current river and lake levels, a three day forecast, flood stage, status and record flood elevations, as well as the inflow and outflow.

Check out our Flood Fight Page (https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Home/Flood-Fight) for the latest updates.
#2019floodfight

Mississippi Valley Division (US Army Corps of Engineers)

 

Looking Up The Mississippi River

Good News......

 

 

 

As of 5:00AM this morning (05-15-19) ....

Pool 26 of the  Mississippi River crested at Winfield, Grafton, Alton and the water levels are continuing to drop !

All the river gauges and forecasts from Pool 26 all the way up to Lake City, Minnesota basically show the river levels falling, with a couple of  "Bumps Up" of about a foot or so here and there.  (Ref: Genoa, WI, La Cross, Minnesota City, MN, Hastings, MN, St. Paul)

 

Check out RiverBills River Gauges Page...

St. Louis, MO  to  St. Paul, MN ....  click here

 

My River Home website  facebook          Longshot Saloon facebook

The Cabana at the La Rosa facebook  

Alton Motor Boat Club

Reopening this Friday

 

The club will re-open this Friday for business! Kitchen will
open at 5pm.
We've missed you!


 

Reprinted from the Alton Motor Boat Club Facebook page... click here

 

Grafton, Illinois

Flood Party This Weekend

3rd Chute Bar & Grill

 

 

Grafton flood party this Saturday!

We are having a party Saturday May 18th Jake Webber will be playing from 1p to 5p. We are blocking off the street live music, beer and food specials. Come up and support your local bars...Grafton Oyster Bar will be open, shuttling people. We will also have the Treehouse open all day Saturday. We do have a designated parking areas all around including the bank. Come Check it out... Let's Get It On!!
 

Reprinted from 3rd Chute Facebook page... click here

 

 

 

River History....


16 May of 1979 in River History


The news along the St. Louis Riverfront was grim on May 16, 1979, as that was the day a Coast Guard inspector's hammer went right through the thin, corroded hull of the S.S. Admiral.  The owners announced that cruises would stop that year.

Tom Dunn with Streckfus Steamers Inc. said that the Admiral would be sent to New Orleans for repairs, which was the nearest location with a big enough dry dock large enough to handle the Admiral.
 
Dunn said that they would definitely get the Admiral fixed, since they would have the entire winter to make repairs.  After assessing the damage in New Orleans, Streckfus announced that the necessary repairs were unaffordable.  The Admiral would never cruise the Mississippi River again.......

Source Stltoday.com

 

 

  Website..click here      Facebook Page..click here

 

Mississippi River At St. Louis, Missouri

JB Bridge Remains Closed

MODOT Unsure of Reopening

 

At this time transportation officials are uncertain of when the westbound lanes of the Jefferson Barracks Bridge across the Mississippi River will reopen. And their is a possibility that a westbound lane will have to be re-routed onto the eastbound span as a long-term solution.

 

The lab tests are expected today on the portion of the bridge where cracks were discovered. Inspectors have also discovered more, less severe cracks in other parts of the bridge.
 

Click here to read this news tidbit from stltoday.com. 

 

A Few Missouri Major Road Closures .......

 

Reprinted from MODOT

 

Some St. Louis area roads closed due to flooding:
 

  US-67 Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Mississippi River
  Since 02-MAY-19.
  NOTE: Traffic is sharing northbound lane with head-to-head traffic.

 

  MO-94 Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Closed Various places due to flooding several places

 

  Route B Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Dardenne Creek
   
  Route C Northbound /Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route M Eastbound / Westbound

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route N Eastbound (LINCOLN County)

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route P Southbound / Northbound (PIKE County) near Elsberry
  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route V Southbound / Northbound

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Mo-79 Northbound / Southbound

  Closed various places due to flooding

 

Click here for MoDot map and more information

St. Charles County

Road Closures .......

 

 Check out the St. Charles County Road Closures... click here
 

  

A Few St. Louis area Roads Closed Due To Flooding  .......

 

•IL 3 Cora Levee to Water Street near Chester in Randolph County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 3 Washington St to IL 100 in Grafton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•US 67 Mississippi River SB lanes closed, traffic on NB lanes with water on pavement in West Alton, Missouri.
•IL 96 Jefferson to IL 100 in Kampsville in Calhoun county is closed due to flooding.
•IL 96 CH 2 to Pike County Line near Mozier in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 US 67 to IL 16 near Alton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 IL 16 to Pike County Line near Hardin in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding


  Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

 

Ferry Closures .......

 

The Brussels Ferry is closed due to flooding

   Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

   

The Winfield Ferry is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from the Calhoun Ferry Company

 

The Grafton Ferry has not opened for the season yet.

   Click here for more information about the Grafton Ferry

 

Alton Marina website               Alton Marina Facebook

 

Missouri Department of Conservation News

Reeds Spring angler catches record-breaking redear sunfish........

 

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces Josh Cole of Reeds Spring is now a state record holder after shooting a 1-pound, 12-ounce redear sunfish at Table Rock Lake in Stone County. Cole caught the fish while bowfishing April 29. The previous record was a 1-pound, 1-ounce fish caught in 2017.

“I went out around 10:30 that night to go fishing with my brother,” Cole said. “Once I shot the fish and got it in the boat I was surprised to see how big it was, but I wasn’t expecting it to be a state record.”

Cole shot the fish using an “alternative method” – bowfishing. He said he’s still unsure about his plans for the state-record fish.

“I’ve got in the freezer right now,” Cole noted. “Not sure if I’ll end up mounting it.”

MDC staff verified the redear sunfish’s weight by using a certified scale at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in Branson.

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.

For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://bit.ly/2efq1vl
 

Reprinted from he Missouri Department of Conservation.. click here

We offer full fiberglass repair, high performance upgrades, transom & stringer rebuilds, service on older products, new & used parts department, an accessories department, as well as many other services to suit everyone's boating needs.

We continue to display our Yamaha Sport Boats + Crest, Mercury + Yamaha Outboards and Heritage & Haul Rite trailers

 

St. Charles Boat & Motor website      St. Charles Boat & Motor Facebook

 

List Your Boat

on RiverBills Classifieds

6 Months for $50.00

From "Now" until "October 2019" 

One month listing on the front page in the featured Classified Section

Six months on the Classified Page.  

 

e-mail your info along with 6 pictures (max) to riverbill@prodigy.net.

 

Click here and check out RiverBills Classifieds Page

We will bill you after the ad is on-line

 

 

 

Little John's Moptorsports... Click here

Little Johns Marine Service...  Click here

 

2019 Race Schedule..Click here

What's Going On This Week

3rd Chute Bar & Grill
211 W. Main St. Grafton, IL

 

Hey folks we are open. Take 109 to Rt 3 to get to us. $5.00 lunch specials. Come on down!
 

OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR
Just a short walk from Grafton Harbor
Breakfast available every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8am till 12pm

$5.00 lunch specials from 11am till 2pm Monday thru Friday from 11am till 2pm.

3rd Chute Upcoming Events.. click here

Alton Marina

Mississippi River at Alton, IL

 

The Alton Marina Bridge is in place for your convenience !

 

The Deli at the Alton Marina will be opening soon

 

The Blessing of the Fleet Benefit

 

 

Sat.. July 27, 2019

          1PM at Grafton Harbor

 

This Year's Theme.. Mardi Gras

                     

 

 

The Boathouse

Northshore Marina

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Thu ..open at 12pm
Fri.... open at 12pm
Sat.. open at 12pm

 

 Upcoming Events.. click here

 

Cedar Hill Resort

Mississippi River

1 mile below Winfield Dam

 

 

Closed for the season

Con Trios Yacht Club

 

Take Me To The River Champagne Brunch

Sunday...June 2

10am - 2pm

Music by D-Dock DJs

Yacht Club of St. Louis

 

Click here for more information on Facebook

Duck Club Yacht Club

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Hours:

  Friday Food 4-10 Bar till 1

  (crowd determining)

  Sat and Sun- Food 12-10
  Bar till 1 (crowd determining)

 

 

Froge's Bar and Grill

Portage des Sioux, MO

 

"Appetizer of the Month" Crab Rangoon

 

$1.50 can beer during all Blues & Cardinals televised games

 

Smoked Pork Steaks

Saturday - 2pm-til gone. 1 and half inch smoked pork steaks w/2 sides $11.49

 

CLOSED on Monday's


Sat.. July 6, 2019 Five Year Anniversary Party. HUGE CAR SHOW NOON TIL ???? ANYONE WELCOME!! WE MAY HAVE THE MOOLAH SHRINERS IN THEIR LITTLE GO CARS

 

Every Friday throughout the year we serve whole catfish, catfish nuggets, Alaskan Pollock and salmon served with 2 sides and a soft drink for $8.99 from 11am until gone or 10pm

  Grafton, IL

  Confluence of Mississippi  & Illinois Rivers

  Two Week Activity  Calendar

 

  

 

  Check out Grafton's Two Week Event and Music

  Calendar May 1 thru May 12 .... click here


 

Grafton Harbor

Confluence of Mississippi and Illinois Rivers


CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Grafton Harbor Gift Shop & Winery is open 7 day a week

 

Grafton Harbor

Grafton Harbor River Adventures
 

Mark your calendars and make reservations now!

 

Memorial Day Weekend Cruises..click here
 

The River Rambler Tour is a fun and educational 1 hour boat ride on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers highlighting the historical and geographical points of interest

For more information & booking ... click here

Grafton Oyster Bar

Grafton Harbor

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 

 

 

 

2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

John's Boat Harbor

Mississippi River at UMR 231.8

 




 

Kinder's Restaurant

Mississippi River at Golden Eagle, IL

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING


Hi everyone! It's getting to be that time of year again! We are looking for fun, energetic, and friendly servers, bartenders, and cooks who can work on their feet. Servers must be 18 years of age, bartenders 21 years of age, and cooks 16 years of age. If anyone is interested, please contact Jeni Kiel at 618-799-9670.
Thank you, Kinder's Management.

 

Lake Center Marina

MM224.4 UMR

 

We’re excited to announce 40% OFF all annual docks & slips to new members!
http://lakecentermarina.com/new-members

 

Sat, May 18 Spring Fling with Jambone
 

Longshot Saloon

My River Home Marina and Resort

Mississippi River at Portage des Sioux...

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

Mike's La Rosa at My River Home

Mississippi River at

Portage des Sioux, Mo

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

 

Yacht Club of St. Louis Restaurant

Mississippi River

At UMR 225 On Dardenne Slough

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Sun..May 26..Tony Campanella ..2pm

 

Hours of operation

April ~   Thursdays open at 5pm

             Friday -Sunday open at 12pm
 

Facebook Event Calender.. click here

 

More Things Going On This Week

click here

 

River Ferries

 

Illinois River

Brussels Ferry............618 - 786-3636

 

Mississippi River

Golden Eagle Ferry ....618-  535-5759

Winfield Ferry.............618-  535-5759

Grafton Ferry............ 1-800-258-6645  ..Closed for the season

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBills....

 

Click here for last weekend's edition of RiverBills

 

Restaurants

Who's Open.. Who's Closed

Who's Open... Who's Closed........
 
3rd Chute Bar & Grill ......................... Open All Year
Arrrr Bar at Grafton Harbor.................. Closed for the season
Boathouse Food & Deck..................... Open All Year
Cedar Hill Resort................................ Closed for the season
Driftwood Crab Shack @ MRH Resort.. Opening Memorial Day 2019
Duck Club Yacht Club........................ Open for the season
Evandy's_Boatel................................ Open All Year
Froges Bar & Grill.............................. Open All Year
Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop...... Open
Grafton Oyster Bar............................. Open All Year
Kinder's Restaurant.......................... Closed for the season
Longshot Saloon................................ Closed for the season
LaRosa Cantina................................. Closed for the season
Yacht Club of St. Louis..................... Open for the season

WEDNESDAY

May 15, 2019

 

Over 9.4 Million Boater Visits

Since Sept 12, 2004

To The Always Changing e-Waters of RiverBills.com

 

 

Be River Smart

and

Flood Tuff

WATCH YOUR WAKE !

Driving in Flooded Areas on Land

and

on the Water

 

www.RiverBills.com

 

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Picture of the Day.... was sent to us by Capt'n Carl Tiemann who hails out of Park Carl on Wilson Road Slough in St. Charles County, Mo

 

Glass at 5:30 yesterday evening

 

 

Hwy V in St. Charles County Update

Near Orchard Farm, Mo

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

It’s official 1st day of no water on Hwy V

 

Intersection Hwy V at North Shore Dr

looking down towards Duck Club

 

 

Looking South on Hwy V towards Duck Club

 

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were sent to us by Toni Luttrell of the Boathouse Food & Deck located on the Dardenne Slough of the Mississippi River at UMR 222.2

 


The road (Hwy V)  is still closed as we cannot get into homes or Marinas yet.

 

Toni

 

Check out the Boathouse Food & Deck webpage... click here

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Google Maps

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Thu - Sun ..open at 12pm
Closing is sketchy, we call it business decline

 and depends on customers and weather

 

Website.. click here       Facebook.. click here        Events.. click here

 

 

 

click here for Facebook          click here for website

 

Grafton Harbor.... 618-786-PORT (7678)

 

 

First Mate is a boat brokerage located on the beautiful upper Mississippi.

We sell boats and will find you the perfect boat!

 

 Click here for Facebook    Click here for Website    Browse Our Boats

 Yesteryear's Picture on this Day

 

Portage des Sioux Sunset

 

 click pic to enlarge

 

The Picture On This Day in 2018...... was taken by Capt'n Mark Newlin who hails out of Portage des Sioux, Mo

 

Monday's Sunset

after the storm

 

Website               Facebook             Map

www.RiverBills.com

Featured Classifieds

More Boats on RiverBills.com

"All Classifieds Page"

click here

The Grafton Oyster Bar

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

GRAFTON OYSTER BAR IS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
Mother Nature is NOT cooperating with us so far this season. We are closed and hope to reopen by May 16. Please check our FB page for updates and pray that there will be no more flooding for the remainder of our boating season
 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 
 2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

Grafton Oyster Bar will be offering the following weekly specials

beginning May 1st, 2019

Wednesdays - Fifty Cent Chicken wings with your choice of 4 different sauces and $10.00 buckets of domestic beer

Every Friday & Saturday - Free Juke Box from 10pm until close
Every Sunday- Breakfast from 8am until 11am to include fresh fruit, assorted muffins, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, omelet station, waffle station and more.
 

Menu..  click here   Website.. click here   Facebook.. click here

 

River News !  

 

 

 

No new incident Reports
 

Click here to go to the Missouri State Highway Patrol website for "all" incident reports    

 

River Gear For Sale............

 

Click here  to buy your River T-shirts and Accessories on-line..

Delivered right to you mailbox in a few short days

 

   US Army Corps of Engineers
   St. Louis District - Weekly Navigation Channel Condition

 

 

UPDATED MAY 08, 2019    

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION - L/D CLOSURES - UPDATE
Due to high water conditions, the following L/D’s are closed to navigation:
L/D 12 (MM 556.5) L/D 20 (MM 343.2)
L/D 13 (MM 522.5) L/D 21 (MM 324.9)
L/D 14 (MM 493.5) L/D 22 (MM 301.2)
L/D 15 (MM 482.9) L/D 24 (MM 273.4)
L/D 16 (MM 457.2) L/D 25 (MM 241.4)
L/D 17 (MM 437.0) L/D 26 (Mile 200.8)
L/D 18 (MM 410.5) L/D 27 (MM 185.5)

Mariners are encouraged to contact the respective lock masters, for additional information.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY
The following area is in the extreme high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Zone 28 (Mile 185.4 – Mile 109.9).

Recreational vessel traffic is not recommended.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - UPDATE

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 5A (Mile 738.0 – Mile 728.6) Pool 10 (Mile 647.8 – Mile 615.1)
Pool 6 (Mile 728.5 – Mile 714.5) Pool 12 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 502.9)
Pool 9 (Mile 679.1 – Mile 647.9) Pool 26 (Mile 241.4 – Mile 200.5)

High water and drift potential may be encountered in these areas. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake, exercise caution and avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid downstreaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - Update
The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 3 (Mile 815.1 – Mile 796.9) Pool 20 (Mile 364.1 – Mile 343.2)
Pool 11 (Mile 615.0 – Mile 583.0) Pool 21 (Mile 343.1 – Mile 324.9)
Pool 13 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 522.4) Pool 22 (Mile 324.8 – Mile 301.2)
Pool 14 (Mile 522.3 – Mile 493.3) Pool 24 (Mile 301.1 – Mile 273.4)
Pool 15–18 (Mile 493.2 – Mile 410.5 Pool 25 (Mile 273.3 – Mile 241.4)
Pool 19 (Mile 410.4 – Mile 364.2) Pool 27 (Mile 200.4 – Mile 185.5).

In all high water phases, towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations. Mariners are urged to transit between Mile 483.0 to Mile 482.0, Mile 363.0 to Mile 362.0 and Mile 353.0 to Mile 352.0, at their slowest safe speed to minimize their wake, to protect levees from damage. Mariners should avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Down-streaming operations are not recommended. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.

ILLINOIS RIVER

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6) Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0)
Cooperas Creek Zone (Mile 145.5 – Mile 129.0) Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0)
Havana Zone (Mile 128.9 – Mile 102.0) Grafton Zone (Mile 9.9 – Mile 0.0)
Beardstown Zone (Mile 101.9 – Mile 80.3)  

The COTP has established a Safety Zone in the following zones. Vessel transit within these zones is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP: Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6), Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0) and Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0). Laying up on levees in this area is prohibited. Recreational traffic is discouraged. High water and drift could be encountered in this area. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake and exercise caution. There is a No Wake Zone from Mile 223.5 to Mile 221.0 and from Mile 80.5 to Mile 79.5, to protect the levees. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid down-streaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent any breakaways from occurring. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

MISSOURI RIVER

MISSOURI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/COTP ADVISORY - UPDATE
The following areas are in the high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Omaha Reach (Mile 630.0 – Mile 500.0), St. Joseph Reach (Mile 500.0 – Mile 400.0) and Washington Reach (Mile 100.0 – 0.0). Recreational vessel traffic is highly discouraged. Towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations as extreme high water and drift may be experienced. Exercise caution when down-streaming, be aware of bridge clearances prior to transit and favor the center of the channel. Mariners should pre-identify suitable lay-up areas in the event of a river closure and avoid laying up on levees. Fleeting areas should have a towboat attend fleets at all times and have a breakaway plan in place. Aids to navigation may have been dragged off station, damaged or destroyed, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

KASKASKIA RIVER
Continuing until further notice, the Jerry F. Costello L/D, in the vicinity of Mile 0.8, will be closed due to high water levels rising above 80.0 feet on the Tailwater Gauge. The Lock will remain closed until water recedes below 80.0 feet on the Tailwater Gauge. Mariners should be alert for and abide by any special instructions that may be issued by the lockmaster.
 

Click here  for the current Navigation Channel Condition Status Report 

RiverBills Facebook

Two FaceBook Pages for You

 

The "River News and Media" Page

Page contains river news, RiverBills Pictures of the Day, Upcoming River Events, info from RiverBills.com advertisers, etc..... Click here and check it out

 

The "Boaters Group" Page

It's a group for all the boaters on all the rivers near the "PORT OF ST. LOUIS AND BEYOND." It's a Public Group, open to anyone that wants to join in. A place to post your boating pictures, shout outs, questions, comments, etc.  Stay in touch with other boaters all year long.  Invite your Boating Friends. 

We have 4,059 members as of 05-15-19....... Click here and check it out. 

 

Click here........ Port Charles Harbor website

Click here......Port Charles Harbor Facebook

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at Tuesday, May 7, 2019 1:24 PM

 

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

Coast Guard issues safety zone on the Illinois River due to high water
 

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Coast Guard has issued a safety zone on the Illinois River, restricting all vessel traffic from mile marker 187 to mile marker 145.6, and mile marker 80.2 to mile marker 10 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Tuesday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the safety zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the maritime industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

“During this extended period of high water, public safety is our number one priority,” said Capt. Scott Stoermer, Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River. “I urge commercial and recreational boaters to heed all safety advisories to avoid potentially dangerous conditions caused by floods and fast moving water.”

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

 

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/03/2019 11:32 AM EDT

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

 

Coast Guard closes portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic near St. Louis, Missouri
 

ST. LOUIS, Miss – The Coast Guard has closed a portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic from mile marker 179 to 184 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Friday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the closure zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via VHF Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332 at least 30 minutes prior to movement.

Vessel movements within the closure zone should be to monitor or increase waterway and port safety only. The captain of the port will review each request to move within the closure zone on a case-by-base basis.

While outside the river closure zone, the Coast Guard strongly encourages southbound transits between mile marker 179 and the JB Bridge at mile marker 168.5 only occur during daylight hours.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the marine industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing

 

DID YOU KNOW ?

Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on a cellular phone if they need assistance or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner.

 

*55

 

Greg Kopft of the boat Chicken Ship sent us the following:

I was  with the Water Patrol today and I mentioned that I had tried to contact them  using 55. I did not notice on your page that it was  * 55.   The Patrol stated this has happened in the past  - people do not put *55.  

 

RiverBill says... Thanks for the info Greg !

 

Enter the number into your cell phone now under Missouri Water Patrol

 

www.RiverBills.com      

 

 

   Upcoming Event....  June 22, 2019

   The Longest Day

   Alzheimer's Association

   Pool 26 River Crawl For A Cure........

 

Click flyer to enlarge

 

05-15-19 Update.... 

The ARRR Bar at Grafton Harbor and the Deli at Alton Marina have joined the River Crawl.

Welcome aboard !

 

Attention Boaters:

Get involved...  Support the cause.

Join a team

 

Click here for more information on Facebook

   June 22, 2019

   The Longest Day

   Alzheimer's Association

   Pool 26 River Crawl For A Cure........

 

LETS CRAWL TOGETHER !

Get involved...  Support the cause !

Join the RiverBills.com Pub Crawl Team

Lets Raise The Most $$ for Alzheimer's

click here.. scroll down to RiverBills.com

 

 

Click here for more information on Facebook

 

RiverBills Pub Crawl Team is going to start at the Boathouse

 

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR "YOUR WAKE"

The wake from your boat &

the wake from your automobile (if your driving on a flooded road)

Both do damage !

 

www.RiverBills.com         

 

Mississippi River At Alton, Illinois

Argosy Casino Reopening On Thursday........

 

The Argosy Casino Alton has announced that they will be resuming operations on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 10 am.  Argosy had been forced to close on May 3rd due to major Mississippi River flooding which limited access to the property.

 

Argosy Vice President and General Manager Steve Peate says that their primary concern is the safety of their guests and team members. 

 

Peate added that his team has been working to guarantee a safe environment for their guests before reopening for business.  Peate says that they are certain that they can resume operations and provide the entertaining and rewarding experiences that guests expect........

 

Click here to read this news story from riverbender.com.  With Photo

 

Alton Marina Events !

 

Click here for website           Click here for Facebook

 

Missouri River Levees

Communities Stressed As Levee Repairs Are Delayed........

 

Some of the communities that were flooded following the failures of levees along the Missouri River this spring are likely going to be exposed to high water during the upcoming months, as repair efforts are being delayed by the extent of the damage and the lingering floodwaters.

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been assessing levees that were damaged in March after heavy rainfall and snow melt pushed the Missouri River and it's tributaries out of their banks in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas.  The flooding has caused an estimated $3 billion in damages across the Midwest.

 

So far, only a couple of the 40 construction contracts necessary to repair the damaged Missouri River levees have been awarded, and the quickest repairs, the filling of holes in two levees near Hamburg and Percival, Iowa will not be completed until the rainy season is over........

 

Click here to read this news article from semissourian.com.

.

 

St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Flood Fight Update

 St. Louis District, River & Reservoir Daily Report

The River and Reservoir Report (http://www.mvs-wc.usace.army.mil/dresriv.html) provides current river and lake levels, a three day forecast, flood stage, status and record flood elevations, as well as the inflow and outflow.

Check out our Flood Fight Page (https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Home/Flood-Fight) for the latest updates.
#2019floodfight

Mississippi Valley Division (US Army Corps of Engineers)

 

Looking Up The Mississippi River

Good News......

 

 

 

As of 5:00AM this morning (05-15-19) ....

Pool 26 of the  Mississippi River crested at Winfield, Grafton, Alton and the water levels are continuing to drop !

All the river gauges and forecasts from Pool 26 all the way up to Lake City, Minnesota basically show the river levels falling, with a couple of  "Bumps Up" of about a foot or so here and there.  (Ref: Genoa, WI, La Cross, Minnesota City, MN, Hastings, MN, St. Paul)

 

Check out RiverBills River Gauges Page...

St. Louis, MO  to  St. Paul, MN ....  click here

 

My River Home website  facebook          Longshot Saloon facebook

The Cabana at the La Rosa facebook  

 

 

River History....

15 May 2010 in River History

The Big Kahuna Restaurant at Grafton Harbor celebrated it's Grand Opening
 

Metro East Levees

Drainage & Levee District Dissolving........

 

On Wednesday, the Chouteau, Nameoki and Venice Drainage and Levee District voted to dissolve it's district, and transfer it's property to the Metro East Sanitary District.

 

Chairman Kurt Prenzler says that this is a good thing, as the district was no longer assessing taxpayers for drainage services since the CNV was annexed into the MESD in July 2011.

 

Prenzler adds that the move is in the best interest of taxpayers, as the CNV has no outstanding debt, and the MESD will acquire the CNV's pump station near the Chain of Rocks Bridge, 23 parcels of land and around $6,000.........

 

Click here to read this news report from riverbender.com. 

 

 

  Website..click here      Facebook Page..click here

 

Mississippi River Near St. Louis, Missouri

JB Bridge Remains Closed....  Lower U.S. 67 Lanes Still Closed Too....

 

The Missouri Department of Transportation has not announced when they expect to reopen the lower lanes of U.S. 67 between the Lewis and Clark Bridges in West Alton, Missouri.

 

The current closure began on May 2nd, and has been in effect for a week and a half.  This is the second time that the Mississippi River levels have required the lanes to be shut down.

 

On Sunday, the Jefferson Barracks Bridge's westbound span was closed after crews discovered a crack on a steel beam on the underside of the road deck.  MoDOT says that repairs will take at least until the end of the week........

 

Click here to read this news tidbit from altondailynews.com.  With Video and Audio.

 

A Few Missouri Major Road Closures .......

 

Reprinted from MODOT

 

Some St. Louis area roads closed due to flooding:
 

  US-67 Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Mississippi River
  Since 02-MAY-19.
  NOTE: Traffic is sharing northbound lane with head-to-head traffic.

 

  MO-94 Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Closed Various places due to flooding several places
 

  Route J Northbound / Southbound

 

  Route B Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Dardenne Creek
   
  Route C Northbound /Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route M Eastbound / Westbound

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route N Eastbound (LINCOLN County)

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route P Southbound / Northbound (PIKE County) near Elsberry
  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route V Southbound / Northbound

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Mo-79 Northbound / Southbound

  Closed various places due to flooding

 

Click here for MoDot map and more information

St. Charles County

Road Closures .......

 

 Check out the St. Charles County Road Closures... click here
 

  

A Few St. Louis area Roads Closed Due To Flooding  .......

 

IL 3 Cora Levee to Water Street near Chester in Randolph County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 3 Washington St to IL 100 in Grafton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•US 67 Mississippi River SB lanes closed, traffic on NB lanes with water on pavement in West Alton, Missouri.
•IL 96 Jefferson to IL 100 in Kampsville in Calhoun county is closed due to flooding.
•IL 96 CH 2 to Pike County Line near Mozier in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 US 67 to IL 16 near Alton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 IL 16 to Pike County Line near Hardin in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

 

Ferry Closures .......

 

The Brussels Ferry is closed due to flooding

   Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

   

The Winfield Ferry is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from the Calhoun Ferry Company

 

The Grafton Ferry has not opened for the season yet.

   Click here for more information about the Grafton Ferry

 

Alton Marina website               Alton Marina Facebook

 

Mississippi River At Minneapolis, Minnesota

Lock And Dam No.1, Visitor Center Set To Reopen........

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District has announced that they will be reopening their visitor center at Lock and Dam No.1 at Minneapolis, and start locking all vessels on May 25, 2019.

 

The visitor center is free and open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm daily.  Lockage hours will run from 10 am to 8 pm daily.  Vessels on the upstream side of the lock should be prepared to lock downstream by 7:30 pm.

 

As far as the remaining two locks in the Minneapolis, region are concerned, Lower St. Anthony Falls is open for lockages from 10 am to 8 pm daily.  The Upper St. Anthony Falls lock is closed to all navigation.........

 

Click here to read this news article from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website.

 

We offer full fiberglass repair, high performance upgrades, transom & stringer rebuilds, service on older products, new & used parts department, an accessories department, as well as many other services to suit everyone's boating needs.

We continue to display our Yamaha Sport Boats + Crest, Mercury + Yamaha Outboards and Heritage & Haul Rite trailers

 

St. Charles Boat & Motor website      St. Charles Boat & Motor Facebook

 

News Release From BoatUS

Want to Learn How to Boat? Affordable 3-Hour On-Water Training Courses June 8

Intro to Boating and Women Making Waves offered on Irondequoit Bay

 

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 14, 2019 – Want to learn the basics of powerboating or brush up on your skills? The nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water together with Fleet Boat Club offer a choice of two fun on-water boat training courses taught aboard single-engine powerboats: Intro to Boating and Women Making Waves, Saturday, June 8, at the club’s location at Southpoint Marina, 1384 Empire Blvd., Rochester.


Both the Intro to Boating and Women Making Waves courses are three hours long and affordably priced at $129 per person. Intro to Boating covers shifting and steering, basic docking, open-water handling and basic navigation, and is offered at 10:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 2:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 2:45 p.m.


The ladies-only course, Women Making Waves, offers the same curriculum and is the perfect opportunity to spend a half-day learning boat-handling techniques in a supportive environment. It’s offered at 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.


Class size is limited to four students per vessel, ensuring each student gets sufficient time at the helm under the watchful eye of a U.S. Coast Guard-certified instructor.
The goal of the BoatUS Foundation and Fleet Boat Club courses is to address the high costs typically associated with at-the-helm training, making hands-on boating education more accessible. The courses also offer area residents the chance to try out recreational boating and give boaters the opportunity to brush up on their boat-handling skills.


Space is limited. Must be 18 years or older. To sign up for a course or seek others, go to BoatUS.org/On-Water.


###

 

This press release reprinted by permission of Scott Croft of BoatUS...click here

 

List Your Boat

on RiverBills Classifieds

6 Months for $50.00

From "Now" until "October 2019" 

One month listing on the front page in the featured Classified Section

Six months on the Classified Page.  

 

e-mail your info along with 6 pictures (max) to riverbill@prodigy.net.

 

Click here and check out RiverBills Classifieds Page

We will bill you after the ad is on-line

 

 

 

Little John's Moptorsports... Click here

Little Johns Marine Service...  Click here

 

2019 Race Schedule..Click here

What's Going On This Week

3rd Chute Bar & Grill
211 W. Main St. Grafton, IL

 

Hey folks we are open. Take 109 to Rt 3 to get to us. $5.00 lunch specials. Come on down!
 

OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR
Just a short walk from Grafton Harbor
Breakfast available every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8am till 12pm

$5.00 lunch specials from 11am till 2pm Monday thru Friday from 11am till 2pm.

3rd Chute Upcoming Events.. click here

Alton Marina

Mississippi River at Alton, IL

 

The Alton Marina Bridge is in place for your convenience !

 

The Deli at the Alton Marina will be opening soon

 

The Blessing of the Fleet Benefit

 

 

Sat.. July 27, 2019

          1PM at Grafton Harbor

 

This Year's Theme.. Mardi Gras

                     

 

 

The Boathouse

Northshore Marina

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Thu ..open at 12pm
Fri.... open at 12pm
Sat.. open at 12pm

 

 Upcoming Events.. click here

 

Cedar Hill Resort

Mississippi River

1 mile below Winfield Dam

 

 

Closed for the season

Con Trios Yacht Club

 

Take Me To The River Champagne Brunch

Sunday...June 2

10am - 2pm

Music by D-Dock DJs

Yacht Club of St. Louis

 

Click here for more information on Facebook

Duck Club Yacht Club

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Hours:

  Friday Food 4-10 Bar till 1

  (crowd determining)

  Sat and Sun- Food 12-10
  Bar till 1 (crowd determining)

 

 

Froge's Bar and Grill

Portage des Sioux, MO

 

"Appetizer of the Month" Crab Rangoon

 

$1.50 can beer during all Blues & Cardinals televised games

 

Smoked Pork Steaks

Saturday - 2pm-til gone. 1 and half inch smoked pork steaks w/2 sides $11.49

 

CLOSED on Monday's


Sat.. July 6, 2019 Five Year Anniversary Party. HUGE CAR SHOW NOON TIL ???? ANYONE WELCOME!! WE MAY HAVE THE MOOLAH SHRINERS IN THEIR LITTLE GO CARS

 

Every Friday throughout the year we serve whole catfish, catfish nuggets, Alaskan Pollock and salmon served with 2 sides and a soft drink for $8.99 from 11am until gone or 10pm

  Grafton, IL

  Confluence of Mississippi  & Illinois Rivers

  Two Week Activity  Calendar

 

  

 

  Check out Grafton's Two Week Event and Music

  Calendar May 1 thru May 12 .... click here


 

Grafton Harbor

Confluence of Mississippi and Illinois Rivers


CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Grafton Harbor Gift Shop & Winery is open 7 day a week

 

Grafton Harbor

Grafton Harbor River Adventures
 

Mark your calendars and make reservations now!

 

Memorial Day Weekend Cruises..click here
 

The River Rambler Tour is a fun and educational 1 hour boat ride on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers highlighting the historical and geographical points of interest

For more information & booking ... click here

Grafton Oyster Bar

Grafton Harbor

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 

 

 

 

2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

John's Boat Harbor

Mississippi River at UMR 231.8

 




 

Kinder's Restaurant

Mississippi River at Golden Eagle, IL

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING


Hi everyone! It's getting to be that time of year again! We are looking for fun, energetic, and friendly servers, bartenders, and cooks who can work on their feet. Servers must be 18 years of age, bartenders 21 years of age, and cooks 16 years of age. If anyone is interested, please contact Jeni Kiel at 618-799-9670.
Thank you, Kinder's Management.

 

Lake Center Marina

MM224.4 UMR

 

We’re excited to announce 40% OFF all annual docks & slips to new members!
http://lakecentermarina.com/new-members

 

Sat, May 18 Spring Fling with Jambone
 

Longshot Saloon

My River Home Marina and Resort

Mississippi River at Portage des Sioux...

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

Mike's La Rosa at My River Home

Mississippi River at

Portage des Sioux, Mo

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

 

Yacht Club of St. Louis Restaurant

Mississippi River

At UMR 225 On Dardenne Slough

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Sun..May 26..Tony Campanella ..2pm

 

Hours of operation

April ~   Thursdays open at 5pm

             Friday -Sunday open at 12pm
 

Facebook Event Calender.. click here

 

More Things Going On This Week

click here

 

River Ferries

 

Illinois River

Brussels Ferry............618 - 786-3636

 

Mississippi River

Golden Eagle Ferry ....618-  535-5759

Winfield Ferry.............618-  535-5759

Grafton Ferry............ 1-800-258-6645  ..Closed for the season

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBills....

 

Click here for last weekend's edition of RiverBills

 

Restaurants

Who's Open.. Who's Closed

Who's Open... Who's Closed........
 
3rd Chute Bar & Grill ......................... Open All Year
Arrrr Bar at Grafton Harbor.................. Closed for the season
Boathouse Food & Deck..................... Open All Year
Cedar Hill Resort................................ Closed for the season
Driftwood Crab Shack @ MRH Resort.. Opening Memorial Day 2019
Duck Club Yacht Club........................ Open for the season
Evandy's_Boatel................................ Open All Year
Froges Bar & Grill.............................. Open All Year
Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop...... Open
Grafton Oyster Bar............................. Open All Year
Kinder's Restaurant.......................... Closed for the season
Longshot Saloon................................ Closed for the season
LaRosa Cantina................................. Closed for the season
Yacht Club of St. Louis..................... Open for the season

TUESDAY

May 14, 2019

 

Over 9.4 Million Boater Visits

Since Sept 12, 2004

To The Always Changing e-Waters of RiverBills.com

 

 

Be River Smart

and

Flood Tuff

WATCH YOUR WAKE !

Driving in Flooded Areas on Land

and

on the Water

 

www.RiverBills.com

 

The Polestar Eagle

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Picture of the Day.... was sent to us by Capt'n Carl Tiemann who hails out of park Carl on Wilson Road Slough in St. Charles County, Mo

 

The Eagle on the point at Polestar Boating Center

Sculptor Captain Tim Woodson

 

Check out Polestar Boating Center... click here

 

RiverBill says.... Thanks for the great picture Carl !

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Thu - Sun ..open at 12pm
Closing is sketchy, we call it business decline

 and depends on customers and weather

 

Website.. click here       Facebook.. click here        Events.. click here

 

 

 

click here for Facebook          click here for website

 

Grafton Harbor.... 618-786-PORT (7678)

 

 

First Mate is a boat brokerage located on the beautiful upper Mississippi.

We sell boats and will find you the perfect boat!

 

 Click here for Facebook    Click here for Website    Browse Our Boats

 Yesteryear's Picture on this Day

 

Catch of the Day

Mother's Day Fishing ~ 2018

 

click pic to enlarge

 

The Pictures On This Day in 2018...... were sent to us by Capt'n Shane Clark

 

 

Catching flats on trot lines. Largest was 38lbs.

 

 

Catch of the Day Page

Click here and check it out

 

Website               Facebook             Map

www.RiverBills.com

Featured Classifieds

More Boats on RiverBills.com

"All Classifieds Page"

click here

The Grafton Oyster Bar

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

GRAFTON OYSTER BAR IS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
Mother Nature is NOT cooperating with us so far this season. We are closed and hope to reopen by May 16. Please check our FB page for updates and pray that there will be no more flooding for the remainder of our boating season
 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 
 2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

Grafton Oyster Bar will be offering the following weekly specials

beginning May 1st, 2019

Wednesdays - Fifty Cent Chicken wings with your choice of 4 different sauces and $10.00 buckets of domestic beer

Every Friday & Saturday - Free Juke Box from 10pm until close
Every Sunday- Breakfast from 8am until 11am to include fresh fruit, assorted muffins, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, omelet station, waffle station and more.
 

Menu..  click here   Website.. click here   Facebook.. click here

 

River News !  

 

 

 

No new incident Reports
 

Click here to go to the Missouri State Highway Patrol website for "all" incident reports    

 

River Gear For Sale............

 

Click here  to buy your River T-shirts and Accessories on-line..

Delivered right to you mailbox in a few short days

 

   US Army Corps of Engineers
   St. Louis District - Weekly Navigation Channel Condition

 

 

UPDATED MAY 08, 2019    

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION - L/D CLOSURES - UPDATE
Due to high water conditions, the following L/D’s are closed to navigation:
L/D 12 (MM 556.5) L/D 20 (MM 343.2)
L/D 13 (MM 522.5) L/D 21 (MM 324.9)
L/D 14 (MM 493.5) L/D 22 (MM 301.2)
L/D 15 (MM 482.9) L/D 24 (MM 273.4)
L/D 16 (MM 457.2) L/D 25 (MM 241.4)
L/D 17 (MM 437.0) L/D 26 (Mile 200.8)
L/D 18 (MM 410.5) L/D 27 (MM 185.5)

Mariners are encouraged to contact the respective lock masters, for additional information.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY
The following area is in the extreme high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Zone 28 (Mile 185.4 – Mile 109.9).

Recreational vessel traffic is not recommended.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - UPDATE

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 5A (Mile 738.0 – Mile 728.6) Pool 10 (Mile 647.8 – Mile 615.1)
Pool 6 (Mile 728.5 – Mile 714.5) Pool 12 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 502.9)
Pool 9 (Mile 679.1 – Mile 647.9) Pool 26 (Mile 241.4 – Mile 200.5)

High water and drift potential may be encountered in these areas. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake, exercise caution and avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid downstreaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - Update
The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 3 (Mile 815.1 – Mile 796.9) Pool 20 (Mile 364.1 – Mile 343.2)
Pool 11 (Mile 615.0 – Mile 583.0) Pool 21 (Mile 343.1 – Mile 324.9)
Pool 13 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 522.4) Pool 22 (Mile 324.8 – Mile 301.2)
Pool 14 (Mile 522.3 – Mile 493.3) Pool 24 (Mile 301.1 – Mile 273.4)
Pool 15–18 (Mile 493.2 – Mile 410.5 Pool 25 (Mile 273.3 – Mile 241.4)
Pool 19 (Mile 410.4 – Mile 364.2) Pool 27 (Mile 200.4 – Mile 185.5).

In all high water phases, towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations. Mariners are urged to transit between Mile 483.0 to Mile 482.0, Mile 363.0 to Mile 362.0 and Mile 353.0 to Mile 352.0, at their slowest safe speed to minimize their wake, to protect levees from damage. Mariners should avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Down-streaming operations are not recommended. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.

ILLINOIS RIVER

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6) Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0)
Cooperas Creek Zone (Mile 145.5 – Mile 129.0) Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0)
Havana Zone (Mile 128.9 – Mile 102.0) Grafton Zone (Mile 9.9 – Mile 0.0)
Beardstown Zone (Mile 101.9 – Mile 80.3)  

The COTP has established a Safety Zone in the following zones. Vessel transit within these zones is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP: Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6), Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0) and Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0). Laying up on levees in this area is prohibited. Recreational traffic is discouraged. High water and drift could be encountered in this area. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake and exercise caution. There is a No Wake Zone from Mile 223.5 to Mile 221.0 and from Mile 80.5 to Mile 79.5, to protect the levees. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid down-streaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent any breakaways from occurring. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

MISSOURI RIVER

MISSOURI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/COTP ADVISORY - UPDATE
The following areas are in the high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Omaha Reach (Mile 630.0 – Mile 500.0), St. Joseph Reach (Mile 500.0 – Mile 400.0) and Washington Reach (Mile 100.0 – 0.0). Recreational vessel traffic is highly discouraged. Towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations as extreme high water and drift may be experienced. Exercise caution when down-streaming, be aware of bridge clearances prior to transit and favor the center of the channel. Mariners should pre-identify suitable lay-up areas in the event of a river closure and avoid laying up on levees. Fleeting areas should have a towboat attend fleets at all times and have a breakaway plan in place. Aids to navigation may have been dragged off station, damaged or destroyed, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

KASKASKIA RIVER
Continuing until further notice, the Jerry F. Costello L/D, in the vicinity of Mile 0.8, will be closed due to high water levels rising above 80.0 feet on the Tailwater Gauge. The Lock will remain closed until water recedes below 80.0 feet on the Tailwater Gauge. Mariners should be alert for and abide by any special instructions that may be issued by the lockmaster.
 

Click here  for the current Navigation Channel Condition Status Report 

RiverBills Facebook

Two FaceBook Pages for You

 

The "River News and Media" Page

Page contains river news, RiverBills Pictures of the Day, Upcoming River Events, info from RiverBills.com advertisers, etc..... Click here and check it out

 

The "Boaters Group" Page

It's a group for all the boaters on all the rivers near the "PORT OF ST. LOUIS AND BEYOND." It's a Public Group, open to anyone that wants to join in. A place to post your boating pictures, shout outs, questions, comments, etc.  Stay in touch with other boaters all year long.  Invite your Boating Friends. 

We have 4,047 members as of 05-14-19....... Click here and check it out. 

 

Click here........ Port Charles Harbor website

Click here......Port Charles Harbor Facebook

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at Tuesday, May 7, 2019 1:24 PM

 

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

Coast Guard issues safety zone on the Illinois River due to high water
 

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Coast Guard has issued a safety zone on the Illinois River, restricting all vessel traffic from mile marker 187 to mile marker 145.6, and mile marker 80.2 to mile marker 10 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Tuesday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the safety zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the maritime industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

“During this extended period of high water, public safety is our number one priority,” said Capt. Scott Stoermer, Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River. “I urge commercial and recreational boaters to heed all safety advisories to avoid potentially dangerous conditions caused by floods and fast moving water.”

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

 

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/03/2019 11:32 AM EDT

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

 

Coast Guard closes portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic near St. Louis, Missouri
 

ST. LOUIS, Miss – The Coast Guard has closed a portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic from mile marker 179 to 184 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Friday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the closure zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via VHF Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332 at least 30 minutes prior to movement.

Vessel movements within the closure zone should be to monitor or increase waterway and port safety only. The captain of the port will review each request to move within the closure zone on a case-by-base basis.

While outside the river closure zone, the Coast Guard strongly encourages southbound transits between mile marker 179 and the JB Bridge at mile marker 168.5 only occur during daylight hours.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the marine industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing

 

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR "YOUR WAKE"

The wake from your boat &

the wake from your automobile (if your driving on a flooded road)

Both do damage !

 

www.RiverBills.com         

 

llinois River Flooding

Representative Darin LaHood Toured Flooding........

 

Parts of western Illinois are still inundated by the Illinois River, however, the river levels are starting to recede.  The effects of flooding will likely be felt for some time to come.

 

On Monday, Illinois Representative  Darin LaHood toured the effects of the flooding Illinois River.  LaHood said that this is the third year in a row for flooding, and people are calling for higher levees.

 

LaHood's efforts are intended to make Washington understand what locals deal with each spring.  He adds that instead of letting a Washington D.C. bureaucrat make the decision not to raise the levee, local people should make the decision........

 

Click here to read this news article from khqa.com.  With Video

 

Alton Marina Events !

 

Click here for website           Click here for Facebook

 

Mississippi River At Winfield, Missouri

River Levels Dropping....  Residents Cleaning Up

 

The level of the Mississippi River has been falling, and in Winfield, Missouri, the levels are low enough that it is easier for residents to get in and out.

 

Many homes have been inundated by the Mississippi River, and now that the water is receding, there is mud, grass, cornstalks, leeches, giant crawdads and giant worms.

 

The Red Cross will be out surveying the damage, but several residents will be on their own for the clean up costs.  Homes must have at least 18 inches of water in them to qualify for federal aid.......

 

Click here to read this news story from ksdk.com.  With Video.

 

St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Flood Fight Update

 St. Louis District, River & Reservoir Daily Report

The River and Reservoir Report (http://www.mvs-wc.usace.army.mil/dresriv.html) provides current river and lake levels, a three day forecast, flood stage, status and record flood elevations, as well as the inflow and outflow.

Check out our Flood Fight Page (https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Home/Flood-Fight) for the latest updates.
#2019floodfight

Mississippi Valley Division (US Army Corps of Engineers)

 

 

St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Lock Closures
 

Reprinted from St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

 

Looking Up The Mississippi River

Good News......

 

 

 

As of 5:00AM this morning (05-14-19) ....

Pool 26 of the  Mississippi River crested at Winfield, Grafton, Alton last week and the water levels are continuing to drop !

All the river gauges and forecasts from Pool 26 all the way up to St. Paul, Minnesota basically show the river levels falling, with a couple of  "Bumps Up" of about a foot or so here and there.  (Ref: Debuque, IA, Genoa, WI, Minnesota City, MN, Hastings, MN)

 

Check out RiverBills River Gauges Page...

St. Louis, MO  to  St. Paul, MN ....  click here

 

My River Home website  facebook          Longshot Saloon facebook

The Cabana at the La Rosa facebook  

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

River History....

14 May 2011 in River History

The Morganza Spillway was opened up on the Mississippi River In efforts to save Baton Rouge and New Orleans from the flood. Opening the spillway flooded 3,000 square miles of rural Louisiana.
 


Go to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morganza_Spillway
for more information from Wiki Encyclopedia on the Morganza Spillway

More River History...

May 12, 1969

 

Mississippi River Near LaGrange, Missouri

Barge Explosion Remembered 50 Years Later........

 

During a special ceremony held Monday night, a proclamation was read establishing May 12 as a day of remembrance in the history of LaGrange, Missouri.

 

On May 12, 1969, a barge carrying 840 thousand gallons of gasoline exploded, and the flaming barge drifted down the Mississippi River, becoming lodged on the Quincy railroad bridge.

 

The explosion made international headlines, and led to changes ensuring barge safety.  Following the Coast Guard's extensive investigation, they recommended legislation requiring tow boat pilots be licensed and to prevent tow boats with ignition sources from being alongside moored barges while being unloaded........

 

Click here to read this news report from khqa.com.  With Video.

 

 

  Website..click here      Facebook Page..click here

 

Mississippi River At St. Louis, Missouri

Westbound JB Bridge Lanes To Remain Closed Through This Week........

 

Officials have announced that the westbound lanes on the Jefferson Barracks Bridge will remain closed until at least the end of the week.  Inspectors will need to determine exactly what emergency repairs will be necessary after Sunday's discovery of cracking in the span's steel beams.

 

The cracking on the westbound span of the Jefferson Barracks Bridge were spotted Sunday afternoon during a routine inspection by the Missouri Department of Transportation.  Tom Blair, the St. Louis area district engineer for MoDOT says that they are concerned about a 6 foot long crack in the weld linking the span's arch to a steel beam under the road deck.

 

Blair says that the junction is crucial from structural stability  point of view.  He also noted that the crack is unusual for the type of bridge involved.  Blair said that MoDOT has called in several specialized inspectors to examine the entire westbound span for any additional cracks........

 

Click here to read this news report from stltoday.com.  With Photos.

 

A Few Missouri Major Road Closures .......

 

Reprinted from MODOT

 

Some St. Louis area roads closed due to flooding:
 

  US-67 Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Mississippi River
  Since 02-MAY-19.
  NOTE: Traffic is sharing northbound lane with head-to-head traffic.

 

  MO-94 Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Closed Various places due to flooding several places
 

  Route J Northbound / Southbound

 

  Route B Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Dardenne Creek
   
  Route C Northbound /Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route M Eastbound / Westbound

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route N Eastbound (LINCOLN County)

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route P Southbound / Northbound (PIKE County) near Elsberry
  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route V Southbound / Northbound

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Mo-79 Northbound / Southbound

  Closed various places due to flooding

 

Click here for MoDot map and more information

St. Charles County

Road Closures .......

 

 Check out the St. Charles County Road Closures... click here
 

  

A Few St. Louis area Roads Closed Due To Flooding  .......

 

•IL 3 Cora Levee to Water Street near Chester in Randolph County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 3 Washington St to IL 100 in Grafton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•US 67 Mississippi River SB lanes closed, traffic on NB lanes with water on pavement in West Alton, Missouri.
•IL 96 Jefferson to IL 100 in Kampsville in Calhoun county is closed due to flooding.
•IL 96 CH 2 to Pike County Line near Mozier in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 US 67 to IL 16 near Alton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 IL 16 to Pike County Line near Hardin in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding


  Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

 

Ferry Closures .......

 

The Brussels Ferry is closed due to flooding

   Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

   

The Winfield Ferry is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from the Calhoun Ferry Company

 

The Grafton Ferry has not opened for the season yet.

   Click here for more information about the Grafton Ferry

 

Alton Marina website               Alton Marina Facebook

 

Missouri Department of Conservation

News Release

 

MDC: Squirrel and black bass seasons open Memorial Day weekend
Hunt squirrel and catch and keep black bass beginning May 25.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Hunters and anglers can add fresh wild game and fish to their Memorial Day menus. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians that squirrel and black bass seasons open May 25, the Saturday before Memorial Day.

 

 

BLACK BASS

Anglers may catch and keep black bass, such as largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky bass, May 25 through Feb. 29, 2020, in most streams south of the Missouri River. Black bass can be caught and released legally throughout the year anywhere in Missouri, and legal-sized bass may be kept all year long from impoundments statewide. In most state waters, the daily limit on black bass is six. Fish taken from most rivers and streams must be 12 inches long. Additional specific regulations may apply to specific waters or areas. Anglers must have a valid fishing permit or be exempt.

More information on bass fishing can be found in MDC’s 2019 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, available where permits are sold, or online at https://bit.ly/2J7b8dm

Get tips from MDC on cooking fish at https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/cooking-fish
 


 

This News Release partially reprinted Missouri Department of Conservation email.

Go to MDC for information on Squirrel season in Missouri... click here

 

News Release From BoatUS

The Most Practical Boating Safety Advice You'll Get This Year

 


ANNAPOLIS, Md., May 13, 2019 -- Wearing a life jacket, avoiding alcohol, and taking a boating safety course tops the list of things you can do now to improve your chances of a long, safe summer of boating. For this year’s National Safe Boating Week (May 18-24) here’s three timely safety tips from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.


1. Be on the lookout for small craft. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that operator inattention and improper lookout are at the top of the list for contributing factors to accidents. Combined with the increasing popularity of paddlecraft such as kayaks and standup paddleboards, boaters should slow down in areas where paddlers congregate. Be mindful of your wake. Consider learning the S.C.A.N. (Search, Concentrate, Analyze, and Negotiate) method to help you safely navigate around paddlers and other traffic on the water. Accept and understand that some paddlers may not understand the rules of the road or all of the safety risks inherent to small-craft operation. Some boaters are guilty of this as well.


2. Avoid ship traffic. With the U.S. economy strong, there may be more commercial ship traffic on coastlines, harbors, and rivers than we’ve seen in recent years. Ships can be deceptively fast, and recreational vessels attempting to cross in front of moving vessels can disappear under a ship's bow and out of the captain’s line of sight, greatly decreasing safety for all aboard and potentially creating a very scary situation. For more information on safe boat operation around ships, go to BoatUS.org/RulesOfTheRoad.


3. Beware of the spring season of rain. According to NOAA, nearly two-thirds of the lower 48 states face an elevated risk for flooding through May. Snowmelt and heavy rain have brought trees, flotsam and jetsam downstream where they can collide with boats and create additional safety challenges with the increased current. A boater’s best bet is to slow down, watch your speed (especially running down current), keep an extra lookout, and hope the sun comes out soon!
The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers a range of online and on-water boating safety training courses – including 36 free state courses – that can be found at BoatUS.org/Courses.


###

 

This press release reprinted by permission of Scott Croft of BoatUS...click here

 

DID YOU KNOW ?

Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on a cellular phone if they need assistance or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner.

 

We offer full fiberglass repair, high performance upgrades, transom & stringer rebuilds, service on older products, new & used parts department, an accessories department, as well as many other services to suit everyone's boating needs.

We continue to display our Yamaha Sport Boats + Crest, Mercury + Yamaha Outboards and Heritage & Haul Rite trailers

 

St. Charles Boat & Motor website      St. Charles Boat & Motor Facebook

 

List Your Boat

on RiverBills Classifieds

6 Months for $50.00

From "Now" until "October 2019" 

One month listing on the front page in the featured Classified Section

Six months on the Classified Page.  

 

e-mail your info along with 6 pictures (max) to riverbill@prodigy.net.

 

Click here and check out RiverBills Classifieds Page

We will bill you after the ad is on-line

 

 

 

Little John's Moptorsports... Click here

Little Johns Marine Service...  Click here

 

2019 Race Schedule..Click here

What's Going On This Week

3rd Chute Bar & Grill
211 W. Main St. Grafton, IL

 

Hey folks we are open. Take 109 to Rt 3 to get to us. $5.00 lunch specials. Come on down!
 

OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR
Just a short walk from Grafton Harbor
Breakfast available every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8am till 12pm

$5.00 lunch specials from 11am till 2pm Monday thru Friday from 11am till 2pm.

3rd Chute Upcoming Events.. click here

Alton Marina

Mississippi River at Alton, IL

 

The Alton Marina Bridge is in place for your convenience !

 

The Deli at the Alton Marina will be opening soon

 

The Blessing of the Fleet Benefit

 

 

Sat.. July 27, 2019

          1PM at Grafton Harbor

 

This Year's Theme.. Mardi Gras

                     

 

 

The Boathouse

Northshore Marina

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Thu ..open at 12pm
Fri.... open at 12pm
Sat.. open at 12pm

 

 Upcoming Events.. click here

 

Cedar Hill Resort

Mississippi River

1 mile below Winfield Dam

 

 

Closed for the season

Con Trios Yacht Club

 

Take Me To The River Champagne Brunch

Sunday...June 2

10am - 2pm

Music by D-Dock DJs

Yacht Club of St. Louis

 

Click here for more information on Facebook

Duck Club Yacht Club

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Hours:

  Friday Food 4-10 Bar till 1

  (crowd determining)

  Sat and Sun- Food 12-10
  Bar till 1 (crowd determining)

 

 

Froge's Bar and Grill

Portage des Sioux, MO

 

"Appetizer of the Month" Crab Rangoon

 

$1.50 can beer during all Blues & Cardinals televised games

 

Smoked Pork Steaks

Saturday - 2pm-til gone. 1 and half inch smoked pork steaks w/2 sides $11.49

 

CLOSED on Monday's


Sat.. July 6, 2019 Five Year Anniversary Party. HUGE CAR SHOW NOON TIL ???? ANYONE WELCOME!! WE MAY HAVE THE MOOLAH SHRINERS IN THEIR LITTLE GO CARS

 

Every Friday throughout the year we serve whole catfish, catfish nuggets, Alaskan Pollock and salmon served with 2 sides and a soft drink for $8.99 from 11am until gone or 10pm

  Grafton, IL

  Confluence of Mississippi  & Illinois Rivers

  Two Week Activity  Calendar

 

  

 

  Check out Grafton's Two Week Event and Music

  Calendar May 1 thru May 12 .... click here


 

Grafton Harbor

Confluence of Mississippi and Illinois Rivers


CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Grafton Harbor Gift Shop & Winery is open 7 day a week

 

Grafton Harbor

Grafton Harbor River Adventures
 

Mark your calendars and make reservations now!

 

Memorial Day Weekend Cruises..click here
 

The River Rambler Tour is a fun and educational 1 hour boat ride on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers highlighting the historical and geographical points of interest

For more information & booking ... click here

Grafton Oyster Bar

Grafton Harbor

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 

 

 

 

2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

John's Boat Harbor

Mississippi River at UMR 231.8

 




 

Kinder's Restaurant

Mississippi River at Golden Eagle, IL

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING


Hi everyone! It's getting to be that time of year again! We are looking for fun, energetic, and friendly servers, bartenders, and cooks who can work on their feet. Servers must be 18 years of age, bartenders 21 years of age, and cooks 16 years of age. If anyone is interested, please contact Jeni Kiel at 618-799-9670.
Thank you, Kinder's Management.

 

Lake Center Marina

MM224.4 UMR

 

We’re excited to announce 40% OFF all annual docks & slips to new members!
http://lakecentermarina.com/new-members

 

Sat, May 18 Spring Fling with Jambone
 

Longshot Saloon

My River Home Marina and Resort

Mississippi River at Portage des Sioux...

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

Mike's La Rosa at My River Home

Mississippi River at

Portage des Sioux, Mo

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

 

Yacht Club of St. Louis Restaurant

Mississippi River

At UMR 225 On Dardenne Slough

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Sun..May 26..Tony Campanella ..2pm

 

Hours of operation

April ~   Thursdays open at 5pm

             Friday -Sunday open at 12pm
 

Facebook Event Calender.. click here

 

More Things Going On This Week

click here

 

River Ferries

 

Illinois River

Brussels Ferry............618 - 786-3636

 

Mississippi River

Golden Eagle Ferry ....618-  535-5759

Winfield Ferry.............618-  535-5759

Grafton Ferry............ 1-800-258-6645  ..Closed for the season

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBills....

 

Click here for last weekend's edition of RiverBills

 

Restaurants

Who's Open.. Who's Closed

Who's Open... Who's Closed........
 
3rd Chute Bar & Grill ......................... Open All Year
Arrrr Bar at Grafton Harbor.................. Closed for the season
Boathouse Food & Deck..................... Open All Year
Cedar Hill Resort................................ Closed for the season
Driftwood Crab Shack @ MRH Resort.. Opening Memorial Day 2019
Duck Club Yacht Club........................ Open for the season
Evandy's_Boatel................................ Open All Year
Froges Bar & Grill.............................. Open All Year
Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop...... Open
Grafton Oyster Bar............................. Open All Year
Kinder's Restaurant.......................... Closed for the season
Longshot Saloon................................ Closed for the season
LaRosa Cantina................................. Closed for the season
Yacht Club of St. Louis..................... Open for the season

MONDAY

May 13... 2019

 

Over 9.4 Million Boater Visits

Since Sept 12, 2004

To The Always Changing e-Waters of RiverBills.com

 

 

Be River Smart

and

Flood Tuff

WATCH YOUR WAKE !

Driving in Flooded Areas on Land

and

on the Water

 

www.RiverBills.com

 

FLOODING

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

RiverBill says..The floating marina office at Grafton Harbor

and home of the Grafton Oyster Bar

High and Dry

 

 

 

 

 

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were posted by Alex Wilson on RiverBills Boaters Group

 

Few pictures of the flood water trying to get down and check out Alton Motorboat Club with no success. Has anyone been down that way by boat?
Alex

 

RiverBill says.... Thanks for all of the pictures Alex

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Thu - Sun ..open at 12pm
Closing is sketchy, we call it business decline

 and depends on customers and weather

 

Website.. click here       Facebook.. click here        Events.. click here

 

 

 

click here for Facebook          click here for website

 

Grafton Harbor.... 618-786-PORT (7678)

 

 

First Mate is a boat brokerage located on the beautiful upper Mississippi.

We sell boats and will find you the perfect boat!

 

 Click here for Facebook    Click here for Website    Browse Our Boats

 Yesteryear's Picture on this Day

 

My River Home

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River at Portage des Sioux

New blue metal roof going on the Driftwood Crab Shack

Cool Cuban colors

 

The bow of the old Chris Craft hauled out of the marina harbor on 3-31-18 setting on a trailer.  The rest of her is setting on the harbor bank in the distance. 

See pic below.

 

03-31-18

The old steel hull Chris Craft as it was hauled out of the marina harbor

Click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Picture On This Day in 2018...... were taken at My River Home Marina and Resort

 

 

Website               Facebook             Map

www.RiverBills.com

Featured Classifieds

More Boats on RiverBills.com

"All Classifieds Page"

click here

The Grafton Oyster Bar

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

GRAFTON OYSTER BAR IS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
Mother Nature is NOT cooperating with us so far this season. We are closed and hope to reopen by May 16. Please check our FB page for updates and pray that there will be no more flooding for the remainder of our boating season
 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 
 2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

Grafton Oyster Bar will be offering the following weekly specials

beginning May 1st, 2019

Wednesdays - Fifty Cent Chicken wings with your choice of 4 different sauces and $10.00 buckets of domestic beer

Every Friday & Saturday - Free Juke Box from 10pm until close
Every Sunday- Breakfast from 8am until 11am to include fresh fruit, assorted muffins, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, omelet station, waffle station and more.
 

Menu..  click here   Website.. click here   Facebook.. click here

 

River News !  

 

 

 

No new incident Reports
 

Click here to go to the Missouri State Highway Patrol website for "all" incident reports    

 

River Gear For Sale............

 

Click here  to buy your River T-shirts and Accessories on-line..

Delivered right to you mailbox in a few short days

 

   US Army Corps of Engineers
   St. Louis District - Weekly Navigation Channel Condition

 

 

UPDATED MAY 08, 2019    

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION - L/D CLOSURES - UPDATE
Due to high water conditions, the following L/D’s are closed to navigation:
L/D 12 (MM 556.5) L/D 20 (MM 343.2)
L/D 13 (MM 522.5) L/D 21 (MM 324.9)
L/D 14 (MM 493.5) L/D 22 (MM 301.2)
L/D 15 (MM 482.9) L/D 24 (MM 273.4)
L/D 16 (MM 457.2) L/D 25 (MM 241.4)
L/D 17 (MM 437.0) L/D 26 (Mile 200.8)
L/D 18 (MM 410.5) L/D 27 (MM 185.5)

Mariners are encouraged to contact the respective lock masters, for additional information.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY
The following area is in the extreme high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Zone 28 (Mile 185.4 – Mile 109.9).

Recreational vessel traffic is not recommended.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - UPDATE

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 5A (Mile 738.0 – Mile 728.6) Pool 10 (Mile 647.8 – Mile 615.1)
Pool 6 (Mile 728.5 – Mile 714.5) Pool 12 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 502.9)
Pool 9 (Mile 679.1 – Mile 647.9) Pool 26 (Mile 241.4 – Mile 200.5)

High water and drift potential may be encountered in these areas. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake, exercise caution and avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid downstreaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - Update
The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 3 (Mile 815.1 – Mile 796.9) Pool 20 (Mile 364.1 – Mile 343.2)
Pool 11 (Mile 615.0 – Mile 583.0) Pool 21 (Mile 343.1 – Mile 324.9)
Pool 13 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 522.4) Pool 22 (Mile 324.8 – Mile 301.2)
Pool 14 (Mile 522.3 – Mile 493.3) Pool 24 (Mile 301.1 – Mile 273.4)
Pool 15–18 (Mile 493.2 – Mile 410.5 Pool 25 (Mile 273.3 – Mile 241.4)
Pool 19 (Mile 410.4 – Mile 364.2) Pool 27 (Mile 200.4 – Mile 185.5).

In all high water phases, towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations. Mariners are urged to transit between Mile 483.0 to Mile 482.0, Mile 363.0 to Mile 362.0 and Mile 353.0 to Mile 352.0, at their slowest safe speed to minimize their wake, to protect levees from damage. Mariners should avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Down-streaming operations are not recommended. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.

ILLINOIS RIVER

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6) Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0)
Cooperas Creek Zone (Mile 145.5 – Mile 129.0) Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0)
Havana Zone (Mile 128.9 – Mile 102.0) Grafton Zone (Mile 9.9 – Mile 0.0)
Beardstown Zone (Mile 101.9 – Mile 80.3)  

The COTP has established a Safety Zone in the following zones. Vessel transit within these zones is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP: Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6), Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0) and Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0). Laying up on levees in this area is prohibited. Recreational traffic is discouraged. High water and drift could be encountered in this area. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake and exercise caution. There is a No Wake Zone from Mile 223.5 to Mile 221.0 and from Mile 80.5 to Mile 79.5, to protect the levees. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid down-streaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent any breakaways from occurring. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

MISSOURI RIVER

MISSOURI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/COTP ADVISORY - UPDATE
The following areas are in the high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Omaha Reach (Mile 630.0 – Mile 500.0), St. Joseph Reach (Mile 500.0 – Mile 400.0) and Washington Reach (Mile 100.0 – 0.0). Recreational vessel traffic is highly discouraged. Towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations as extreme high water and drift may be experienced. Exercise caution when down-streaming, be aware of bridge clearances prior to transit and favor the center of the channel. Mariners should pre-identify suitable lay-up areas in the event of a river closure and avoid laying up on levees. Fleeting areas should have a towboat attend fleets at all times and have a breakaway plan in place. Aids to navigation may have been dragged off station, damaged or destroyed, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

KASKASKIA RIVER
Continuing until further notice, the Jerry F. Costello L/D, in the vicinity of Mile 0.8, will be closed due to high water levels rising above 80.0 feet on the Tailwater Gauge. The Lock will remain closed until water recedes below 80.0 feet on the Tailwater Gauge. Mariners should be alert for and abide by any special instructions that may be issued by the lockmaster.
 

Click here  for the current Navigation Channel Condition Status Report 

RiverBills Facebook

Two FaceBook Pages for You

 

The "River News and Media" Page

Page contains river news, RiverBills Pictures of the Day, Upcoming River Events, info from RiverBills.com advertisers, etc..... Click here and check it out

 

The "Boaters Group" Page

It's a group for all the boaters on all the rivers near the "PORT OF ST. LOUIS AND BEYOND." It's a Public Group, open to anyone that wants to join in. A place to post your boating pictures, shout outs, questions, comments, etc.  Stay in touch with other boaters all year long.  Invite your Boating Friends. 

We have 4,031 members as of 05-13-19....... Click here and check it out. 

 

Click here...... Port Charles Harbor website

Click here......Port Charles Harbor Facebook

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at Tuesday, May 7, 2019 1:24 PM

 

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

Coast Guard issues safety zone on the Illinois River due to high water
 

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Coast Guard has issued a safety zone on the Illinois River, restricting all vessel traffic from mile marker 187 to mile marker 145.6, and mile marker 80.2 to mile marker 10 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Tuesday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the safety zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the maritime industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

“During this extended period of high water, public safety is our number one priority,” said Capt. Scott Stoermer, Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River. “I urge commercial and recreational boaters to heed all safety advisories to avoid potentially dangerous conditions caused by floods and fast moving water.”

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

 

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/03/2019 11:32 AM EDT

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

 

Coast Guard closes portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic near St. Louis, Missouri
 

ST. LOUIS, Miss – The Coast Guard has closed a portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic from mile marker 179 to 184 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Friday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the closure zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via VHF Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332 at least 30 minutes prior to movement.

Vessel movements within the closure zone should be to monitor or increase waterway and port safety only. The captain of the port will review each request to move within the closure zone on a case-by-base basis.

While outside the river closure zone, the Coast Guard strongly encourages southbound transits between mile marker 179 and the JB Bridge at mile marker 168.5 only occur during daylight hours.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the marine industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing

 

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR "YOUR WAKE"

The wake from your boat &

the wake from your automobile (if your driving on a flooded road)

Both do damage !

 

www.RiverBills.com         

 

Mississippi River At Alton, Illinois

Despite High Water, Alton Open For Tourism........

 

While flooding has been just a part of life in historic Alton, Illinois, it's proximity to the Mississippi River has been more of a blessing than a curse.

 

Stephanie Tate, of the Alton Regional Convention & Visitor Bureau says that even though the Argosy Casino has shut down, there isn't any reason to cancel your weekend visit to Alton.

 

Tate does say that if all goes well, attractions along the river like the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater and the Argosy Casino will be open for business soon........

 

Click here to read this news article from altondailynews.com.  With Photo and Audio

 

Alton Marina Events !

 

Click here for website           Click here for Facebook

 

Mississippi River Flooding

The River Levels Will Be Falling This Week........

 

This week, several of the communities around the Metro East impacted by flooding along the Mississippi River should see the water levels continuing to fall.

 

The National Weather Service is forecasting that the river will drop from "major" to "moderate" flood stages during the coming week. 

 

Calhoun County, Illinois is forecasted to stay in major flood stage throughout the week.  The Illinois River had crested at 37.85 feet on May 8th, but as of Sunday, had only fallen to 37 feet........

 

Click here to read this news article from bnd.com.  With Video.

 

Grafton Harbor

Memorial Day Weekend Cruises

 

.

click here for website

 

Reprinted from Grafton Harbor facebook.. click here

US Army Corps of Engineers

Mississippi Valley Division

 

 

The majority of the Mississippi Valley is wetter now,

than it has been in the past 124 years.

 

.

Source: Mississippi Valley Division (US Army Corps of Engineers).. click here

St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Flood Fight Update

 St. Louis District, River & Reservoir Daily Report

The River and Reservoir Report (http://www.mvs-wc.usace.army.mil/dresriv.html) provides current river and lake levels, a three day forecast, flood stage, status and record flood elevations, as well as the inflow and outflow.

Check out our Flood Fight Page (https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Home/Flood-Fight) for the latest updates.
#2019floodfight

Mississippi Valley Division (US Army Corps of Engineers)

 

 

Looking Up The Mississippi River

Good News......

 

 

 

As of 5:00AM this morning (05-13-19) ....

Pool 26 of the  Mississippi River crested at Winfield, Grafton, Alton last week and the water levels are continuing to drop slowly !

All the river gauges and forecasts from Pool 26 all the way up to St. Paul, Minnesota basically show the river levels falling, with a little "Bumps Up" of about a foot here and there starting in Genoa, WI.......

 

Check out RiverBills River Gauges Page...

St. Louis, MO  to  St. Paul, MN ....  click here

 

My River Home website  facebook          Longshot Saloon facebook

The Cabana at the La Rosa facebook  

 

River History....

 May 13th 2017 in River History


Grafton Oyster Bar's opening day for their new outside deck/bar.

Riverbend History

The Great River Road Nearly Transformed By Air Force........

 

The Great River Road is a favorite of motorists, who enjoy boating during the summer, checking out the fall colors during autumn and watching eagles in the winter time.  It came close to having another attraction, with the help of Charles Lindbergh, himself.

 

Around 65 years ago, Elsah was among the 582 candidates for the new Air Force Academy.  A blue-ribbon panel, which included Charles Lindbergh, whittled down the candidates to three, still including Elsah.  Eventually, Harold Talbott, Secretary of the Air Force decided that Colorado Springs would be the new home of the Air Force Academy.

 

The proposed Elsah site was made up of farmland and forest.  The original roadway of Illinois Route 100 would have bisected the site, which would have practically eliminated the Village of Chautauqua.  Not all were happy with the possibility of of the loss of the village, jets flying overhead constantly, major increases in auto traffic and the destruction of the countryside........

 

Click here to read this news story from thetelegraph.com.

Flooding Aftermath

Illinois Congressman Pushing For Disaster Funding.........

 

Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) is calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to give Illinois another opportunity to apply for funding via their Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. 

 

FEMA reports that the State of Illinois did not submit a completed application prior to the January 31st deadline, leaving all communities across the state ineligible to apply for those grants.

 

Davis states that the bi-partisan amendment to the disaster supplemental package was denied floor time by House Democratic leadership........

 

Click here to read this news tidbit from altondailynews.com.  With Audio.

 

 

  Website..click here      Facebook Page..click here

 

Mississippi River Near Louisiana, Missouri

River Receded, Highway 79 Reopened........

 

On Sunday, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced that the Mississippi River had receded, and crews cleaned up Missouri State Highway 79 in order to reopen it. 

 

MoDOT states that as the Mississippi River levels continue to fall, other roads will likely be reopening this week........

 

Click here to read this news tidbit from hannibal.net.

 

A Few Missouri Major Road Closures .......

 

Reprinted from MODOT

 

Some St. Louis area roads closed due to flooding:
 

  US-67 Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Mississippi River
  Since 02-MAY-19.
  NOTE: Traffic is sharing northbound lane with head-to-head traffic.

 

  MO-94 Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Closed Various places due to flooding several places
 

  Route J Northbound / Southbound

 

  Route B Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Dardenne Creek
   
  Route C Northbound /Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route M Eastbound / Westbound

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route N Eastbound (LINCOLN County)

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route P Southbound / Northbound (PIKE County) near Elsberry
  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route V Southbound / Northbound

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Mo-79 Northbound / Southbound

  Closed various places due to flooding

 

Click here for MoDot map and more information

St. Charles County

Road Closures .......

 

 Check out the St. Charles County Road Closures... click here
 

  

A Few Illinois Road Closures .......

 

•IL 3 Cora Levee to Water Street near Chester in Randolph County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 3 Washington St to IL 100 in Grafton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•US 67 Mississippi River SB lanes closed, traffic on NB lanes with water on pavement in West Alton, Missouri.
•IL 96 Jefferson to IL 100 in Kampsville in Calhoun county is closed due to flooding.
•IL 96 CH 2 to Pike County Line near Mozier in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 US 67 to IL 16 near Alton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 IL 16 to Pike County Line near Hardin in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding


  Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

 

Bridge Closures .......

 

    None at this time

    Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

 

Ferry Closures .......

 

The Brussels Ferry is closed due to flooding

   Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

   

The Winfield Ferry is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from the Calhoun Ferry Company

 

The Grafton Ferry has not opened for the season yet.

   Click here for more information about the Grafton Ferry

 

Alton Marina website               Alton Marina Facebook

 

Flooding Aftermath

Illinois Congressman Pushing For Disaster Funding.........

 

Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) is calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to give Illinois another opportunity to apply for funding via their Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. 

 

FEMA reports that the State of Illinois did not submit a completed application prior to the January 31st deadline, leaving all communities across the state ineligible to apply for those grants.

 

Davis states that the bi-partisan amendment to the disaster supplemental package was denied floor time by House Democratic leadership........

 

Click here to read this news tidbit from altondailynews.com.  With Audio.

 

DID YOU KNOW ?

Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on a cellular phone if they need assistance or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner.

 

We offer full fiberglass repair, high performance upgrades, transom & stringer rebuilds, service on older products, new & used parts department, an accessories department, as well as many other services to suit everyone's boating needs.

We continue to display our Yamaha Sport Boats + Crest, Mercury + Yamaha Outboards and Heritage & Haul Rite trailers

 

St. Charles Boat & Motor website      St. Charles Boat & Motor Facebook

 

Mississippi River At St. Louis, Missouri

Emergency Repairs Shut Down Westbound JB Bridge Lanes........

 

Sunday evening, the Missouri Department of Transportation shut down the Jefferson Barracks Bridge after routine inspections found that emergency repairs were needed.

 

MoDOT Spokesperson Marie Elliot says that the westbound Jefferson Barracks Bridge lanes will remain closed through the Monday morning rush hour.  It is unclear how long the lanes will remain closed.

 

MoDOT engineer Joe Molinaro said that during the inspection, crews found cracks in the steel beams around 4 pm Sunday.  The bridge, which was built in 1985, will remain closed until crews determine what repairs are necessary........

 

Click here to read this news report from stltoday.com.  With Photo.

 

List Your Boat

on RiverBills Classifieds

6 Months for $50.00

From "Now" until "October 2019" 

One month listing on the front page in the featured Classified Section

Six months on the Classified Page.  

 

e-mail your info along with 6 pictures (max) to riverbill@prodigy.net.

 

Click here and check out RiverBills Classifieds Page

We will bill you after the ad is on-line

 

 

 

Little John's Moptorsports... Click here

Little Johns Marine Service...  Click here

 

2019 Race Schedule..Click here

What's Going On This Week

3rd Chute Bar & Grill
211 W. Main St. Grafton, IL

 

Hey folks we are open. Take 109 to Rt 3 to get to us. $5.00 lunch specials. Come on down!
 

OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR
Just a short walk from Grafton Harbor
Breakfast available every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8am till 12pm

$5.00 lunch specials from 11am till 2pm Monday thru Friday from 11am till 2pm.

3rd Chute Upcoming Events.. click here

Alton Marina

Mississippi River at Alton, IL

 

The Alton Marina Bridge is in place for your convenience !

 

The Deli at the Alton Marina will be opening soon

 

The Blessing of the Fleet Benefit

 

 

Sat.. July 27, 2019

          1PM at Grafton Harbor

 

This Year's Theme.. Mardi Gras

                     

 

 

The Boathouse

Northshore Marina

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Thu ..open at 12pm
Fri.... open at 12pm
Sat.. open at 12pm

 

 Upcoming Events.. click here

 

Cedar Hill Resort

Mississippi River

1 mile below Winfield Dam

 

 

Closed for the season

Con Trios Yacht Club

 

Take Me To The River Champagne Brunch

Sunday...June 2

10am - 2pm

Music by D-Dock DJs

Yacht Club of St. Louis

 

Click here for more information on Facebook

Duck Club Yacht Club

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Hours:

  Friday Food 4-10 Bar till 1

  (crowd determining)

  Sat and Sun- Food 12-10
  Bar till 1 (crowd determining)

 

 

Froge's Bar and Grill

Portage des Sioux, MO

 

"Appetizer of the Month" Crab Rangoon

 

$1.50 can beer during all Blues & Cardinals televised games

 

Smoked Pork Steaks

Saturday - 2pm-til gone. 1 and half inch smoked pork steaks w/2 sides $11.49

 

CLOSED on Monday's


Sat.. July 6, 2019 Five Year Anniversary Party. HUGE CAR SHOW NOON TIL ???? ANYONE WELCOME!! WE MAY HAVE THE MOOLAH SHRINERS IN THEIR LITTLE GO CARS

 

Every Friday throughout the year we serve whole catfish, catfish nuggets, Alaskan Pollock and salmon served with 2 sides and a soft drink for $8.99 from 11am until gone or 10pm

  Grafton, IL

  Confluence of Mississippi  & Illinois Rivers

  Two Week Activity  Calendar

 

  

 

  Check out Grafton's Two Week Event and Music

  Calendar May 1 thru May 12 .... click here


 

Grafton Harbor

Confluence of Mississippi and Illinois Rivers


CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Grafton Harbor Gift Shop & Winery is open 7 day a week

 

Grafton Harbor

Grafton Harbor River Adventures
 

Mark your calendars and make reservations now!

 

Memorial Day Weekend Cruises..click here
 

The River Rambler Tour is a fun and educational 1 hour boat ride on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers highlighting the historical and geographical points of interest

For more information & booking ... click here

Grafton Oyster Bar

Grafton Harbor

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 

 

 

 

2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

John's Boat Harbor

Mississippi River at UMR 231.8

 




 

Kinder's Restaurant

Mississippi River at Golden Eagle, IL

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING


Hi everyone! It's getting to be that time of year again! We are looking for fun, energetic, and friendly servers, bartenders, and cooks who can work on their feet. Servers must be 18 years of age, bartenders 21 years of age, and cooks 16 years of age. If anyone is interested, please contact Jeni Kiel at 618-799-9670.
Thank you, Kinder's Management.

 

Lake Center Marina

MM224.4 UMR

 

We’re excited to announce 40% OFF all annual docks & slips to new members!
http://lakecentermarina.com/new-members

 

Sat, May 18 Spring Fling with Jambone
 

Longshot Saloon

My River Home Marina and Resort

Mississippi River at Portage des Sioux...

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

Mike's La Rosa at My River Home

Mississippi River at

Portage des Sioux, Mo

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

 

Yacht Club of St. Louis Restaurant

Mississippi River

At UMR 225 On Dardenne Slough

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Sun..May 26..Tony Campanella ..2pm

 

Hours of operation

April ~   Thursdays open at 5pm

             Friday -Sunday open at 12pm
 

Facebook Event Calender.. click here

 

More Things Going On This Week

click here

 

River Ferries

 

Illinois River

Brussels Ferry............618 - 786-3636

 

Mississippi River

Golden Eagle Ferry ....618-  535-5759

Winfield Ferry.............618-  535-5759

Grafton Ferry............ 1-800-258-6645  ..Closed for the season

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBills....

 

Click here for last weekend's edition of RiverBills

 

Restaurants

Who's Open.. Who's Closed

Who's Open... Who's Closed........
 
3rd Chute Bar & Grill ......................... Open All Year
Arrrr Bar at Grafton Harbor.................. Closed for the season
Boathouse Food & Deck..................... Open All Year
Cedar Hill Resort................................ Closed for the season
Driftwood Crab Shack @ MRH Resort.. Opening Memorial Day 2019
Duck Club Yacht Club........................ Open for the season
Evandy's_Boatel................................ Open All Year
Froges Bar & Grill.............................. Open All Year
Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop...... Open
Grafton Oyster Bar............................. Open All Year
Kinder's Restaurant.......................... Closed for the season
Longshot Saloon................................ Closed for the season
LaRosa Cantina................................. Closed for the season
Yacht Club of St. Louis..................... Open for the season

Mother's Day Weekend

Sat, Sun..May 11,12... 2019

 

Over 9.4 Million Boater Visits

Since Sept 12, 2004

To The Always Changing e-Waters of RiverBills.com

 

 

Be River Smart

and

Flood Tuff

WATCH YOUR WAKE !

Driving in Flooded Areas on Land

and

on the Water

 

www.RiverBills.com

 

More of the River Travels of

Capt'n Carl Tiemann

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

Sun Pic

Driving down the street

Notice...Slowly with No Wake

 

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were sent to us by Capt'n Joe DeSherlia of Grafton Harbor

 

Friday Evening in Grafton

Carl Headed to the 3rd Chute for Chicken Wings

 

 

 

More of the River Travels of

Capt'n Carl Tiemann

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

Sun Pic

 

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Picture of the Day.... was sent to us by Capt'n Carl Tiemann who hails out of Park Carl on Wilson Road Slough in St. Charles County, Mo

 

Leaving Grafton on Friday evening

The DeSherlia Home's on the left.

The Loading Dock and Light House in the Distance

 

 

 

Clarksville, Mo

At Lock and Dam 24 of the Mississippi River

Sat Video

 click pic to play video

 

 

The Video of the Day.... was sent to us by Capt'n Bryan

 

 

RiverBill,

The lock gate at Clarksville

Capt Bryan

from the upper pool

 

The River Travels of

Capt'n Carl Tiemann

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

Sat Pic

Dam boat just drives itself here !

 

Chelsie and Dana at the 3rd Chute.

Come on in and enjoy

 

It's Richard and Toni on the deck at the Boathouse

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Pictures of the Day.... were sent to us by Capt'n Carl Tiemann who hails out of Park Carl's on Wilson Road Slough in St. Charles County, Mo.

 

Friday Evening on the River

 

 

 

The Boathouse Food & Deck

Pool 26 of the Mississippi River

Sat Pic

It's Capt'n Carl Tiemann and Richard chatting

click pic to enlarge

 

 

The Picture of the Day.... was sent to us by Toni Luttrell of the Boathouse Food and Deck

 

Toni says...

Well I guess we could start something like this. Lol
 

 

 

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Thu - Sun ..open at 12pm
Closing is sketchy, we call it business decline

 and depends on customers and weather

 

Website.. click here       Facebook.. click here        Events.. click here

 

 

 

click here for Facebook          click here for website

 

Grafton Harbor.... 618-786-PORT (7678)

 

 

First Mate is a boat brokerage located on the beautiful upper Mississippi.

We sell boats and will find you the perfect boat!

 

 Click here for Facebook    Click here for Website    Browse Our Boats

 Yesteryear's Picture on this Day

 

First Tubing of 2015 Season

 

 

The Picture On This Day in 2015...... was sent to us by Capt'n Scott Tiemann who hails out of Two Branch Marina in the boa.....  Cloey Shea

 

 

Hi RiverBill,

 

I took my grandson and his friend boating Sunday and they got a little wet on their first tubing of the year.

 

Scott Tiemann

 

 

Website               Facebook             Map

www.RiverBills.com

Featured Classifieds

More Boats on RiverBills.com

"All Classifieds Page"

click here

The Grafton Oyster Bar

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

GRAFTON OYSTER BAR IS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
Mother Nature is NOT cooperating with us so far this season. We are closed and hope to reopen by May 16. Please check our FB page for updates and pray that there will be no more flooding for the remainder of our boating season
 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 
 2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

Grafton Oyster Bar will be offering the following weekly specials

beginning May 1st, 2019

Wednesdays - Fifty Cent Chicken wings with your choice of 4 different sauces and $10.00 buckets of domestic beer

Every Friday & Saturday - Free Juke Box from 10pm until close
Every Sunday- Breakfast from 8am until 11am to include fresh fruit, assorted muffins, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, omelet station, waffle station and more.
 

Menu..  click here   Website.. click here   Facebook.. click here

 

River News !  

 

 

Mel's Illinois Riverdock Restaurant

Illinois River at Hardin

 

Due to the water and unable to use our restrooms

we will be closed all day tomorrow (05-12-19).

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Reprinted from Mel's Illinois Riverdock Restaurant Facebook... click here
 

Froge's Bar and Grill

Portage des Sioux, MO

 

 

We will be closed on Mother's Day, May 12th, sorry for any inconvenience

 

 

ADDED SUNDAY

1 Mississippi

he Muddy  Flood-y Mississippi River....

 

Reprinted from 1 Mississippi Facebook.... click here

ADDED SUNDAY

Mississippi River At Chester, Illinois

A Barge Struck The Chester Bridge....  The Span Has Reopened....

 

Saturday morning, the Chester Bridge spanning the Mississippi River at Chester, Illinois was shut down after being struck by a barge.  The bridge links Route 51 in Perry County, Missouri to Randolph County, Illinois, 

 

The Perry County Sheriff's Office reported that the span was closed after a barge drifted into a bridge support.  The bridge was inspected for damage and reopened just before noon.........

 

Click here to read this news tidbit from kfvs12.com.  With Video

 

ADDED SUNDAY

Mississippi River At St. Charles, Missouri

It May Be A Year Before Youth Soccer Fields Will Be Usable........

 

The receding floodwaters have some people seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, the St. Louis Youth Soccer Association is facing at least six more weeks of flooded soccer fields.

 

After the Elm Point Levee breached, water inundated homes, businesses as well as the SLYSA fields.  According to SLYSA officials, the fields are under about 16 feet of water.

 

Once the fields are cleared of the floodwaters, there will be a lot of work necessary before the SLYSA fields are usable.  Estimates put repairs to the complex somewhere between $500,000 and $1 Million........

 

Click here to watch this news report from ksdk.com.

.

 

ADDED SUNDAY

Mississippi River Near Thebes, Illinois

Major Flooding Continuing Along The Mississippi River........

 

The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky is reporting that the Mississippi River is still in major flooding status.  A few communities in Alexander County, Illinois are still being affected by the floodwaters.

 

Several streets in Gale, Illinois, have been cut off from residents of Gale, Illinois.  There are several feet of water flooding over roads, nearly topping street signs.

 

Floodwaters have also cut off several streets in Thebes, Illinois, including a few homes that residents are accessing by boat.  The river has inundated a playground and a ball field as well........

 

Click here to read this news article from kfvs12.com.  With Photo.

ADDED SUNDAY

Duck Boat News

Company Claims Duck Boats Given O.K. Before Sinking........

 

Ripley Entertainment, the owners of the duck boat that sank last July on Table Rock Lake, killing 17 people, is disputing that an independent investigator determined that their vehicles did not comply with a government standard.

 

In 2017, Ripley had hired Steve Paul to inspect the boats prior to purchasing them from Missouri-based Ride the Ducks International when they ceased operations.  Paul says that he inspected 24 of the 40 duck boats that Ride the Ducks was selling, and he found the vessels did not meet the Department of Transportation's tailpipe location regulations.

 

Ripley Entertainment spokeswoman Suzanne Smagala told the Associated Press that Paul had passed the duck boats in his report.  Smagala submitted a letter to the AP that says Paul gave Stretch Duck 07 the "Road Test Condition Grade" of "Good".  The letter also states that Paul's report addressed the tailpipes not meeting DOT regulations........

 

Click here to read this news article from semissourian.com

 

 

No new incident Reports
 

Click here to go to the Missouri State Highway Patrol website for "all" incident reports    

 

River Gear For Sale............

 

Click here  to buy your River T-shirts and Accessories on-line..

Delivered right to you mailbox in a few short days

 

   US Army Corps of Engineers
   St. Louis District - Weekly Navigation Channel Condition

 

 

UPDATED MAY 08, 2019    

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION - L/D CLOSURES - UPDATE
Due to high water conditions, the following L/D’s are closed to navigation:
L/D 12 (MM 556.5) L/D 20 (MM 343.2)
L/D 13 (MM 522.5) L/D 21 (MM 324.9)
L/D 14 (MM 493.5) L/D 22 (MM 301.2)
L/D 15 (MM 482.9) L/D 24 (MM 273.4)
L/D 16 (MM 457.2) L/D 25 (MM 241.4)
L/D 17 (MM 437.0) L/D 26 (Mile 200.8)
L/D 18 (MM 410.5) L/D 27 (MM 185.5)

Mariners are encouraged to contact the respective lock masters, for additional information.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY
The following area is in the extreme high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Zone 28 (Mile 185.4 – Mile 109.9).

Recreational vessel traffic is not recommended.

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - UPDATE

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 5A (Mile 738.0 – Mile 728.6) Pool 10 (Mile 647.8 – Mile 615.1)
Pool 6 (Mile 728.5 – Mile 714.5) Pool 12 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 502.9)
Pool 9 (Mile 679.1 – Mile 647.9) Pool 26 (Mile 241.4 – Mile 200.5)

High water and drift potential may be encountered in these areas. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake, exercise caution and avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid downstreaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

 

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/SAFETY ADVISORY - Update
The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Pool 3 (Mile 815.1 – Mile 796.9) Pool 20 (Mile 364.1 – Mile 343.2)
Pool 11 (Mile 615.0 – Mile 583.0) Pool 21 (Mile 343.1 – Mile 324.9)
Pool 13 (Mile 556.6 – Mile 522.4) Pool 22 (Mile 324.8 – Mile 301.2)
Pool 14 (Mile 522.3 – Mile 493.3) Pool 24 (Mile 301.1 – Mile 273.4)
Pool 15–18 (Mile 493.2 – Mile 410.5 Pool 25 (Mile 273.3 – Mile 241.4)
Pool 19 (Mile 410.4 – Mile 364.2) Pool 27 (Mile 200.4 – Mile 185.5).

In all high water phases, towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations. Mariners are urged to transit between Mile 483.0 to Mile 482.0, Mile 363.0 to Mile 362.0 and Mile 353.0 to Mile 352.0, at their slowest safe speed to minimize their wake, to protect levees from damage. Mariners should avoid laying up on levees. Recreational traffic is not recommended. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent breakaways. Down-streaming operations are not recommended. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.

ILLINOIS RIVER

The following areas are in the high water watch phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex:
Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6) Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0)
Cooperas Creek Zone (Mile 145.5 – Mile 129.0) Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0)
Havana Zone (Mile 128.9 – Mile 102.0) Grafton Zone (Mile 9.9 – Mile 0.0)
Beardstown Zone (Mile 101.9 – Mile 80.3)  

The COTP has established a Safety Zone in the following zones. Vessel transit within these zones is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP: Peoria Zone (Mile 180.9 – Mile 145.6), Meredosia Zone (Mile 80.2 – Mile 50.0) and Hardin Zone (Mile 49.9 – Mile 10.0). Laying up on levees in this area is prohibited. Recreational traffic is discouraged. High water and drift could be encountered in this area. Mariners are advised to minimize their wake and exercise caution. There is a No Wake Zone from Mile 223.5 to Mile 221.0 and from Mile 80.5 to Mile 79.5, to protect the levees. Mariners should be experienced in high water conditions and avoid down-streaming operations if possible. Mariners should remain vigilant to an increase in debris and maneuver appropriately. Be aware that a buildup of debris in fleeting areas may have occurred and take appropriate action to prevent any breakaways from occurring. Navigational buoys may have been dragged off station, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

MISSOURI RIVER

MISSOURI RIVER - CHANNEL CONDITION/COTP ADVISORY - UPDATE
The following areas are in the high water action phase IAW the Western Rivers WAP Annex: Omaha Reach (Mile 630.0 – Mile 500.0), St. Joseph Reach (Mile 500.0 – Mile 400.0) and Washington Reach (Mile 100.0 – 0.0). Recreational vessel traffic is highly discouraged. Towboat operators should exercise caution, minimize wake where possible and be experienced in high water operations as extreme high water and drift may be experienced. Exercise caution when down-streaming, be aware of bridge clearances prior to transit and favor the center of the channel. Mariners should pre-identify suitable lay-up areas in the event of a river closure and avoid laying up on levees. Fleeting areas should have a towboat attend fleets at all times and have a breakaway plan in place. Aids to navigation may have been dragged off station, damaged or destroyed, so remain cautious while transiting.
 

KASKASKIA RIVER
Continuing until further notice, the Jerry F. Costello L/D, in the vicinity of Mile 0.8, will be closed due to high water levels rising above 80.0 feet on the Tailwater Gauge. The Lock will remain closed until water recedes below 80.0 feet on the Tailwater Gauge. Mariners should be alert for and abide by any special instructions that may be issued by the lockmaster.
 

Click here  for the current Navigation Channel Condition Status Report 

RiverBills Facebook

Two FaceBook Pages for You

 

The "River News and Media" Page

Page contains river news, RiverBills Pictures of the Day, Upcoming River Events, info from RiverBills.com advertisers, etc..... Click here and check it out

 

The "Boaters Group" Page

It's a group for all the boaters on all the rivers near the "PORT OF ST. LOUIS AND BEYOND." It's a Public Group, open to anyone that wants to join in. A place to post your boating pictures, shout outs, questions, comments, etc.  Stay in touch with other boaters all year long.  Invite your Boating Friends. 

We have 4,017 members as of 05-13-19....... Click here and check it out. 

 

Alton Marina Events !

 

Click here for website           Click here for Facebook

 

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at Tuesday, May 7, 2019 1:24 PM

 

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

Coast Guard issues safety zone on the Illinois River due to high water
 

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Coast Guard has issued a safety zone on the Illinois River, restricting all vessel traffic from mile marker 187 to mile marker 145.6, and mile marker 80.2 to mile marker 10 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Tuesday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the safety zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the maritime industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

“During this extended period of high water, public safety is our number one priority,” said Capt. Scott Stoermer, Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River. “I urge commercial and recreational boaters to heed all safety advisories to avoid potentially dangerous conditions caused by floods and fast moving water.”

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

 

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/03/2019 11:32 AM EDT

News Release

  U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

 

 

Coast Guard closes portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic near St. Louis, Missouri
 

ST. LOUIS, Miss – The Coast Guard has closed a portion of the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic from mile marker 179 to 184 due to extremely high water levels and fast moving currents, Friday.

Vessel operators may request permission to move within the closure zone from the captain of the port representative at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River via VHF Ch. 16 or at (314) 269-2332 at least 30 minutes prior to movement.

Vessel movements within the closure zone should be to monitor or increase waterway and port safety only. The captain of the port will review each request to move within the closure zone on a case-by-base basis.

While outside the river closure zone, the Coast Guard strongly encourages southbound transits between mile marker 179 and the JB Bridge at mile marker 168.5 only occur during daylight hours.

The Coast Guard captain of the port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the marine industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a coordinated plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.

 

-USCG-

 

Reprinted from US Coast Guard e-mailing
 

 

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR "YOUR WAKE"

The wake from your boat &

the wake from your automobile (if your driving on a flooded road)

Both do damage !

 

www.RiverBills.com         

 

Illinois Department Natural Resources

Illinois Fishing Report


Fishing Report for Mississippi - Pool Pool 25-26 Grafton

WEEK

FISH

FISHING CONDITIONS

5-07-19 CRAPPIE FAIR to GOOD: Shiners are the favorite baits this week. The rainfall keeps conditions stirred up and muddy - more in the forecast.
5-07-19 LARGEMOUTH BASS FAIR: Area farm ponds are producing with top water lures.
5-07-19 CHANNEL CATFISH GOOD: Fish are biting in the main channel on Gold fish. Nice sized fish are being reeled in.
5-07-19 RAINBOW TROUT FAIR to GOOD: Some nice sized fish are being taken from the state stocked trout ponds in the area with red worms.

 

Reprinted from ifishillinois.org.. click here

Illinois River Near Meredosia, Illinois

Governor Pritzker Toured Flooding Illinois River........

 

On Friday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker toured flooding along the Illinois River.  He made a stop at Meredosia to survey the situation on the ground.

 

Last week, Governor Pritzker issued a disaster declaration for the 34 Illinois counties affected by flooding.  During a press conference held on Meredosia's North Levee, Pritzker said the Illinois Emergency Management Agency has "delivered on all requests".

 

The Governor added that it is extremely important that the state emergency agency is available to every county emergency management organization and leader.........

 

Click here to read this news report from thetelegraph.com.  With Photos.

 

My River Home website  facebook          Longshot Saloon facebook

The Cabana at the La Rosa facebook  

Illinois River Near Hardin, Illinois

Flooding Prompts Students To Paddle To School........

 

The flooding Illinois River near Hardin has taken out the main roadway leading to Calhoun High School, prompting some of the students to trade their cars for kayaks.

 

Student Sydney Baalman believes that kayaking is safer that taking the hilly detour.  He says there are winding roads with several hills on the detour.  Baalman adds that paddling is quicker than taking the detour.

 

The Calhoun High School students are also helping out their town; two school days were cancelled to allow students to help out with sandbagging efforts........

 

Click here to read this news story from ksdk.com.  With Video.

 

St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Flood Fight Update

 St. Louis District, River & Reservoir Daily Report

The River and Reservoir Report (http://www.mvs-wc.usace.army.mil/dresriv.html) provides current river and lake levels, a three day forecast, flood stage, status and record flood elevations, as well as the inflow and outflow.

Check out our Flood Fight Page (https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Home/Flood-Fight) for the latest updates.
#2019floodfight

Mississippi Valley Division (US Army Corps of Engineers)

 

 

Looking Up The Mississippi River

Good News......

 

 

 

As of 5:00AM this morning (05-11-19) ....

Pool 26 of the  Mississippi River has crested at Winfield, Grafton, Alton this week and the water levels are

continuing to drop !

All the river gauges and forecasts from Pool 26 all the way up to St. Paul, Minnesota basically show the river levels falling, with a little "Bumps Up" of about a foot here and there  starting in Genoa, WI.......

 

Check out RiverBills River Gauges Page...

St. Louis, MO  to  St. Paul, MN ....  click here

 

 

  Website..click here      Facebook Page..click here

 

River History....

 May 11th 2008 in River History

Flood of 2008
~Mississippi River Lock and Dams 16, 17, 20, 22 reopen to Navigation
~Grafton Ferry was closed due to high water
~Brussels Ferry just re-opened for business

“Farmer Wants A Wife,” staring Matt Neustadt, a bachelor from Orchard Farm, Mo was airing on television.

 

Photo courtesy US Army Corps of Engineers

 

Mississippi River At St. Louis, Missouri

Coast Guard, Corps Coordinate Vessel Passage Through River Closure Zone.........

 

The U.S. Coast Guard, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provided safe passage of a vessel through St. Louis Harbor's high water closure zone and the previously closed Lock and Dam No.27.

 

The vessel Tate Oglesby was slated to provide emergency support for flood damage.  Tate Oglesby is towing the dredge Iowa and its supporting barges to the Omaha region to repair crucial levees and reopen Interstate 29.

 

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port shut down a part of the Mississippi River, including the St. Louis Port area to all vessel traffic between the 179 Mile Marker and the 184 Mile Marker due to high water levels and swift currents........

 

Click here to read this news report from the U.S. Coast Guard website.  With Photos.

 

 

Photo courtesy the Waterways Journal Facebook... click here to read story

 

Alton Marina website               Alton Marina Facebook

 

Mississippi River At Hartford, Illinois

Lewis And Clark Historic Site Hosted Discovery Day........

 

The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford, Illinois hosted hundreds of school children on Friday, where they learned about Close-order drills, rope-making, beekeeping and bartering.

 

The "Discovery Day" events lead into the "Point of Departure" events, which will run from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday.  This year's event is celebrating the 215th anniversary of the launching of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

 

Reenactors will be manning several stations detailing activities, crafts and other aspects of life in Illinois, and what the Lewis and Clark Expedition had to contend with........

 

Click here to read this news article from thetelegraph.com.  With Photos.

.

 

A Few Missouri Major Road Closures .......

 

 

Some St. Louis area roads closed due to flooding
 

  US-67 Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Mississippi River
  Since 02-MAY-19.
  NOTE: Traffic is sharing northbound lane with head-to-head traffic.

 

  MO-94 Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Closed Various places due to flooding several places
 

  Route J Northbound / Southbound

 

  Route B Westbound / Eastbound (ST. CHARLES County)
  Dardenne Creek
   
  Route C Northbound /Southbound (ST. CHARLES County)

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route M Eastbound / Westbound

  Closed due to Flooding

 

  Route N Eastbound (LINCOLN County)

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route P Southbound / Northbound (PIKE County) near Elsberry
  Closed due to flooding

 

  Route V Southbound / Northbound

  Closed due to flooding

 

  Mo-79 Northbound / Southbound

  Closed various places due to flooding

 

Click here for MoDot map and more information

St. Charles County

Road Closures .......

 

 Check out the St. Charles County Road Closures... click here
 

  

A Few Illinois Road Closures .......

 

•IL 3 Cora Levee to Water Street near Chester in Randolph County is closed due to flooding.

•IL 3 Washington St to IL 100 in Grafton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•US 67 Mississippi River SB lanes closed, traffic on NB lanes with water on pavement in West Alton, Missouri.
•IL 96 Jefferson to IL 100 in Kampsville in Calhoun county is closed due to flooding.
•IL 96 CH 2 to Pike County Line near Mozier in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 US 67 to IL 16 near Alton in Jersey County is closed due to flooding.
•IL 100 IL 16 to Pike County Line near Hardin in Calhoun County is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

 

Bridge Closures .......

 

    None at this time

    Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

 

Ferry Closures .......

 

The Brussels Ferry is closed due to flooding

   Click here for more information from Illinois Department of Transportation

   

The Winfield Ferry is closed due to flooding

  Click here for more information from the Calhoun Ferry Company

 

The Grafton Ferry has not opened for the season yet.

   Click here for more information about the Grafton Ferry

 

We offer full fiberglass repair, high performance upgrades, transom & stringer rebuilds, service on older products, new & used parts department, an accessories department, as well as many other services to suit everyone's boating needs.

We continue to display our Yamaha Sport Boats + Crest, Mercury + Yamaha Outboards and Heritage & Haul Rite trailers

 

St. Charles Boat & Motor website      St. Charles Boat & Motor Facebook

 

Mississippi River Near Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

Volunteers Are Monitoring The City's Levee For Leaks........

 

Continued flooding along the Mississippi River has prompted volunteers in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri to walk the city's levee as a proactive method of protecting the town.

 

Every day since Saturday, May 4, volunteers and members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services have been making the rounds on the city side of the levee each day in four hour shifts.

 

According to Gary Roth, the Public Works Director, the levee walkers free up Public Works staff for other duties.  Roth adds that they perform inspections on the gates several times per day.  He says that there is one with water coming under it, but that is considered to be no threat........

 

Click here to read this news story from kfvs12.com.  With Photo.

 

DID YOU KNOW ?

Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on a cellular phone if they need assistance or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner.

 

Click here...... Port Charles Harbor website

Click here......Port Charles Harbor Facebook

Missouri River Near St. Joseph, Missouri

River Flooding Causing Additional Problems Where Levees Broke........

 

The swollen Missouri River is causing additional issues in a part of northwestern Missouri that was battered by floodwaters after levees broke back in March.

 

The rain bloated Missouri River has once again flooded the small village of Big Lake in Holt County, Missouri, where some of the approximately 160 residents have started cleaning up after the earlier flooding.

 

Tom Bullock, the Holt County Emergency Management Director says that the river levels haven't fallen enough to allow crews to make repairs to the failed earthen levees........

 

Click here to read this news report from semissourian.com.  With Photos

 

List Your Boat

on RiverBills Classifieds

6 Months for $50.00

From "Now" until "October 2019" 

One month listing on the front page in the featured Classified Section

Six months on the Classified Page.  

 

e-mail your info along with 6 pictures (max) to riverbill@prodigy.net.

 

Click here and check out RiverBills Classifieds Page

We will bill you after the ad is on-line

 

 

 

Little John's Moptorsports... Click here

Little Johns Marine Service...  Click here

 

2019 Race Schedule..Click here

What's Going On This Week

3rd Chute Bar & Grill
211 W. Main St. Grafton, IL

 

Hey folks we are open. Take 109 to Rt 3 to get to us. $5.00 lunch specials. Come on down!
 

OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR
Just a short walk from Grafton Harbor
Breakfast available every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8am till 12pm

$5.00 lunch specials from 11am till 2pm Monday thru Friday from 11am till 2pm.

3rd Chute Upcoming Events.. click here

Alton Marina

Mississippi River at Alton, IL

 

The Alton Marina Bridge is in place for your convenience !

 

The Deli at the Alton Marina will be opening soon

 

The Blessing of the Fleet Benefit

 

 

Sat.. July 27, 2019

          1PM at Grafton Harbor

 

This Year's Theme.. Mardi Gras

                     

 

 

The Boathouse

Northshore Marina

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Thu ..open at 12pm
Fri.... open at 12pm
Sat.. open at 12pm

 

 Upcoming Events.. click here

 

Cedar Hill Resort

Mississippi River

1 mile below Winfield Dam

 

 

Closed for the season

Con Trios Yacht Club

 

Past Commodore's Party

Saturday...May 11

12:30 - 4:30

Music by Johnny Chase

 

New Location:

First Capitol Lions Club, 520 N Benton, St. Charles 63301

 

Duck Club Yacht Club

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

Hours:

  Friday Food 4-10 Bar till 1

  (crowd determining)

  Sat and Sun- Food 12-10
  Bar till 1 (crowd determining)

 

 

Froge's Bar and Grill

Portage des Sioux, MO

 

We will be closed on Mother's Day, May 12th, sorry for any inconvenience

 

"Appetizer of the Month" Crab Rangoon

 

$1.50 can beer during all Blues & Cardinals televised games

 

Smoked Pork Steaks

Saturday - 2pm-til gone. 1 and half inch smoked pork steaks w/2 sides $11.49

 

CLOSED on Monday's


Sat.. July 6, 2019 Five Year Anniversary Party. HUGE CAR SHOW NOON TIL ???? ANYONE WELCOME!! WE MAY HAVE THE MOOLAH SHRINERS IN THEIR LITTLE GO CARS

 

Every Friday throughout the year we serve whole catfish, catfish nuggets, Alaskan Pollock and salmon served with 2 sides and a soft drink for $8.99 from 11am until gone or 10pm

  Grafton, IL

  Confluence of Mississippi  & Illinois Rivers

  Two Week Activity  Calendar

 

  

 

  Check out Grafton's Two Week Event and Music

  Calendar May 1 thru May 12 .... click here


 

Grafton Harbor

Confluence of Mississippi and Illinois Rivers


Grafton Harbor Gift Shop & Winery is open 7 day a week

 

Grafton Harbor

Grafton Harbor River Adventures
 

Mark your calendars and make reservations now!

 

Memorial Day Weekend Cruises..click here
 

The River Rambler Tour is a fun and educational 1 hour boat ride on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers highlighting the historical and geographical points of interest

For more information & booking ... click here

Grafton Oyster Bar

Grafton Harbor

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

TUE-THURS...11AM - 12AM

FRI-SAT... 11AM - 1AM

SUN...11AM - 11PM

 

 

 

 

2019 FESTIVAL & MUSIC SCHEDULE...  click here

 

John's Boat Harbor

Mississippi River at UMR 231.8

 




 

Kinder's Restaurant

Mississippi River at Golden Eagle, IL

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING


Hi everyone! It's getting to be that time of year again! We are looking for fun, energetic, and friendly servers, bartenders, and cooks who can work on their feet. Servers must be 18 years of age, bartenders 21 years of age, and cooks 16 years of age. If anyone is interested, please contact Jeni Kiel at 618-799-9670.
Thank you, Kinder's Management.

 

Lake Center Marina

MM224.4 UMR

 

We’re excited to announce 40% OFF all annual docks & slips to new members!
http://lakecentermarina.com/new-members

 

Sat, May 18 Spring Fling with Jambone
 

Longshot Saloon

My River Home Marina and Resort

Mississippi River at Portage des Sioux...

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

Mike's La Rosa at My River Home

Mississippi River at

Portage des Sioux, Mo

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

My River Home- Memorial Day Celebration- Crabfest, live music all weekend-specials May 25-26-27

 

Yacht Club of St. Louis Restaurant

Mississippi River

At UMR 225 On Dardenne Slough

 

CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

 

 

Sun..May 26..Tony Campanella ..2pm

 

Hours of operation

April ~   Thursdays open at 5pm

             Friday -Sunday open at 12pm
 

Facebook Event Calender.. click here

 

More Things Going On This Week

click here

 

River Ferries

 

Illinois River

Brussels Ferry............618 - 786-3636

 

Mississippi River

Golden Eagle Ferry ....618-  535-5759

Winfield Ferry.............618-  535-5759

Grafton Ferry............ 1-800-258-6645  ..Closed for the season

Last Weekend's Edition of RiverBills....

 

Click here for last weekend's edition of RiverBills

 

Restaurants

Who's Open.. Who's Closed

Who's Open... Who's Closed........
 
3rd Chute Bar & Grill ......................... Open All Year
Arrrr Bar at Grafton Harbor.................. Closed for the season
Boathouse Food & Deck..................... Open All Year
Cedar Hill Resort................................ Closed for the season
Driftwood Crab Shack @ MRH Resort.. Opening Memorial Day 2019
Duck Club Yacht Club........................ Open for the season
Evandy's_Boatel................................ Open All Year
Froges Bar & Grill.............................. Open All Year
Grafton Harbor Winery & Gift Shop...... Open
Grafton Oyster Bar............................. Open All Year
Kinder's Restaurant.......................... Closed for the season
Longshot Saloon................................ Closed for the season
LaRosa Cantina................................. Closed for the season
Yacht Club of St. Louis..................... Open for the season

If you are shown on any picture published on RiveverBills.com and don't want this, email riverbill@prodigy.net and we will remove the picture.
 

Click here for more past edition's of RiverBill's.com

or

Go to "RiverBill's Archives" 



This website is a bit like the River___a bit muddy and continually changing !!
Check back often to see what is going on !!!
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