Illinois Locks

[WillReed98]

We plan to start the Loop next year. We live in La Crosse but plan to trailer over to Port Washington (north of Milwaukee) and travel down to Chicago and then down the Illinois River. I recently heard that the locks on this river have been under repair and it's unclear to me whether we will be able to get part way or all the way down this part of the river. Does anyone know what the current status is and what they are projecting for next summer?

Any information or links to other sources for current information would be appreciated.

Regards,

William Reed
Evening Star
R29-S

 

[CaptT]

Hey William,
The attached website is the best one I've found for the locks in that area. It was just updated this month and it is updated on a regular basis. You can also contact the Army Corp of Engineers for more specific information regarding the coming year. Everytime I've had to contact them I've found them to very friendly and helpful.
Hope this helps,
Terry

https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions ... ock-Status

 

[BB marine]

We keep our boat on the Illinois river for winter storage and have a slip in Racine Wisconsin for summer storage. The Illinois River trip and Locks are an annual travel event for us. The Locks, Brandon Road, Dresden, and Marseilles were all closed for maintenance 2023 summer to October 1st. We had just finished the Loop September 10th 2022/2023 and waited until October 10th to take the boat to our winter storage marina on the Illinois River, Seneca IL, Springbrook Marina. There were daily flotillas arranged by the AGLCA for Loopers starting October 5th 2023 to lock though once a day without waiting for commercial Tows. This is now over and you should have no issues Locking through in 2024. We plan on a Mid May trip from Seneca Il. to Racine Wisconsin. Our plan is to do another trip to Michigan UP and Canada next summer.

 

[WillReed98]

Thank you both for this information. It is very helpful. I will bookmark the link and keep it handy.
Best wishes, William Reed